CKitchen posted on May 22, 2024 09:29
In just a few weeks, June 20 marks the summer solstice that will swing us all full into summer and all the festivities that come with fun in the sun.
And while lakes, beaches, vacations, and the lazy, hazy days of summer will fly by quickly, the SSH office has already begun its deep dive into planning for IMSH 2025 – the 25th anniversary meeting of IMSH!
IMSH 2024 was a record-setter, and 2025 is shaping up to be another one. With a lot of information and articles available on the program and events surrounding IMSH 2025 coming out in the coming months, I want to share the importance of location and how a meeting site is selected and why.
To begin, the SSH Meetings & Exhibits Department - my department - performs the initial research, evaluation, and recommendations of meeting sites for IMSH. Just what do we look for in a host city? Among our many criteria, the top three are:
LOCATION
So why Orlando? Among all the cities where conventions and conferences are held, Orlando leads the nation as the #1 site. What is considered to give it this designation and honor? Ease of getting to Orlando. Orlando International Airport (MCO) serves an estimated 35 million passengers per year and has nonstop service from about 150 cities worldwide.
PURPOSE
Importance of education and seeing the latest developments and innovations in the Exhibit Hall (IMSH’s marketplace), Does the city have the facilities affording a positive setting and experience for education? IMSH is proud of its top shelf educational opportunities available to attendees. However, we need to ‘house’ this somewhere. Enter the convention center - The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC). The OCCC is a state-of-the-art convention center connect by covered walkway from four of the official IMSH hotels to the OCCC West Building.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS & RESTAURANTS
We are social creatures, and we realize you are not all work and no play. It’s all about down time, going out to eat and seeing the sites. Entertainment and dining: Over 200 unique venues and experiences, theme parks, lounges, nightclubs, live music, and restaurants!! More than 5,000 restaurants – many which have won culinary awards.
Together with the IMSH Planning Committee, we have many exciting things planned. Watch future issues of Simulation Spotlight as we reveal all we have planned for you.
Enjoy your summer and we will see you soon in sunny Orlando! (Orlando is ready for IMSH 2025 and excited to welcome us in January! Click on this link for a personal message from Casandra Matej, President & CEO at Visit Orlando.)
Sincerely,
Judy Larson
SSH Director of Meetings & Exhibits