Not all visitors flocking down on Orlando, the city beautiful, are here to see Mickey and friends. In fact, Discount Vacation Rentals Online receives quite a few questions on what ‘other’ options there are besides Disney World. Usually we refer these guests then to our things to do in Orlando section, but why not visit one of the many conventions in the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) here in Orlando?

Some are open to the public, others are not and only accessible for professionals or on invitation. For example the March convention Celebrate Orlando is one where anyone can attend but you need to register in advance. The schedule of events for March 2010 below will show whether or not the event is open to the public yes or no.

Some of these conventions in Orlando will have more specifics and detailed information laid out in separate blogs that are dedicated to that conference or event on our site. A great example is the ISA 2010 convention in Orlando, not open to the public but a milestone for an organization, International Sign Association, that holds the largest sign conference here in Orlando on April 7-10. Read the rest of this entry »

Heralded as the largest sign show in the world, the International Sign Association (ISA 2010), www.signexpo.org arrives at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL,  April 8th-10th 2010. Be prepared to arrive and be wowed by the technology and trends found in advertising.

The ISA 2010 Convention covers over 225,000 square feet of exhibitor space to assist you in increasing a positive impression for your advertising dollar, and to increase the overall bottom line. New ideas on fabrication to finishing details in fabric and graphic design will be on display and discussed in educational seminars.

• Learn “what’s new” in the world of signage by attending the new product showcase on April 9th from 8:30-9:30 am. The new products showcase will feature 25 innovations in visual communication. Move your company forward with the technology on signage for the coming year.
• Find out what’s green and how sustainability impacts your company’s bottom line at the Green Showcase on April 10th from 8:30-9:30 am. Twenty five of the newest green initiatives in the sign world will not only assist your team to becoming “green” but provide interesting ways to be profitable by using sustainable energies. Read the rest of this entry »

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) proudly presents its 62nd Annual Meeting and Convention in the Orlando Convention Center, from October 20-22, 2009. This event is expected to attract 30,000 exhibitors and attendees and is considered one of the leading conferences in its kind. With 1100 exhibiting companies, 140 static aircraft and a representation from almost every single state in the country plus attendance from 6 of the 7 continents in a whole,  this is the place to be this fall in the aviation industry.

At the NBAA 2009 Convention you will find business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, flight department personnel, single-pilot operations and any person who is directly or indirectly involved in the aviation industry. According to the organization, news will be made at this convention, as it did in all previous annual meetings.Admittance Fee for NBAA members is $150, non-members are requested a $250 entrance fee. You can become a member by clicking the NBAA icon above.

NBAA 2009 Convention Headlines

We are curious, but here are a few headlines of what to expect of this NBAA convention:

• SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT – all about safety on the ground, in the air and in the hangar or workplace
• MAINTENANCE & TECHNICAL ISSUES – technical maintenance and management of the aviation maintenance function (incl. outsourcing)
• AIRSPACE & AIRPORT ACCESS – learn what the public is expected to travel through before boarding the aircraft: air-port security measures in the making.
• AIRCRAFT & FLIGHT OPERATIONS - business aircraft related issues: scheduling best practices, operational and regulatory compliance and more.
• AVIATION MANAGEMENT & AIRCRAFT OWNERSHIP – ownership or leasing and all aspects related to this topic (taxes, insurance, regulatory compliance, staffing/personnel), outsourced support or an in-house flight department are all issues on hand.
• CAREER & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT – seeking a career in business aviation? Attend sessions to become an aviation professional, leadership and management development seminars and grow in a business aviation career.
• INDUSTRY UPDATE - for business aviation professionals, from government affairs issues to NBAA Committee and Strategic Focus Team activities.
• LIGHT BUSINESS AIRPLANE SESSIONS – NBAA Light Business Aviation Session designed to help the light business airplane owner/operator maximize efficiency and productivity.

NBAA 2009 Convention Lodging

Vacation Rentals Orlando

Many are invited by the organization to participate in their lodging program through local hotels. For those traveling alone that is likely the best option. For exhibitors who don’t feel much for staying in the local Days Inn or don’t feel like paying $300 per night for a more luxurious hotel, the option of vacation rentals in Orlando is an opportunity. It also allows trips to Disney World or other parks in the area, play a round of golf next door and so on. For more information about vacation rentals Orlando offers these options: private pool homes from 2 to 8 bedrooms large, or condos/town houses in resort style communities from 2 to 4 bedrooms large. Vacation homes in Orlando start at $84 per night for a 2 bedroom; condos or town houses start as low as $69 per night. Mention NBAA Convention when you call. Click the Icon for more information and availability or call Heather at Discount Vacation Rentals Online at (407) 492-0094.

Note: the annual Charity Golf tournament of the NBAA in conjunction with the NBAA Convention is held at Grand Cypress Golf Club on Sunday October 18. For more information on NBAA charities and the golf tournament click the golf picture. It is also said that golf legend Arnold Palmer, an Orlando resident, will speak at the convention and no golfer wants to miss that opportunity! Fly safe, see you soon in Orlando.

On January 28 – 29 and 30, 2010 Orlando is proud to host the 57th PGA Merchandise Show at the Orlando Convention Center on International Drive. With more than 40,000 PGA professionals and attendees expected, this grand golf event will have 10 miles of exhibition aisles and a total of 1 million square feet of interactive exhibit, product demonstration and industry presentation space. For the insiders the PGA Merchandise Show actually kicks off on January 27th already with the outdoor Demo Day and the product preview and buyers’ reception. More than a 1000 manufacturers will be presenting their innovations and products to the market. The 2010 PGA Merchandise Show has grown into the biggest platform for manufacturers, industry leaders and professionals to expand and contribute golf business growth opportunities and to seek the opportunity to increase participation and interest in the sport of golf in general.

What To Expect At The 2010 PGA Merchandise Show

If you missed last years show or would like to relive this golf event again for a moment, below you will find a video of last years PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando for you to enjoy. In brief you can expect:

• Golf Product Presentations from more than 1000 manufacturers
• PGA Equipment Forum with presentations on golfs’ most interesting issues
• Fashion Gallery where the golfer gets dressed to the top
• Indoor Demo Day where 47 bays are at your disposal in a massive indoor driving range
• Education Conferences and PGA Best Practices sessions

Honestly, if you are in the business of golf, you simply cannot miss this event and show up at the 2010 Merchandise Show. Please register for attendance or even if you would like to exhibit here at the PGAshow.com. This is a trade-only conference, not open to the public.

PGA Merchandise Show Lodging

For single travelers to the Merchandise Show, one of the suggested hotels will surely you best option on staying fairly close to the convention center and shuttle back and forth. For colleagues traveling together there are cheaper though more luxurious ways of spending your exhibition days here in Orlando. And how about staying ON a golf course in the neighborhood?

Vacation Rentals in Orlando are all a-round available and start from $69 per night for a 2 bedroom condo with 2 bathrooms over an approx. 1200 sq.ft. of air-conditioned living space. You can rent a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom private pool home from $84 per night. These prices are normally Discount Vacation Rentals Online “Fall Specials” and we happily extend these terms for participants of the PGA Merchandise Show 2010 in January here in Orlando. Call DVRO and tell us what you are looking for. We will search from over 1000 rental properties and match your requirements on lodging accommodations and only then you get to decide whether you like to rent or not. It is a free service. Discount Vacation Rentals Online: (407) 492-0094

PGA Merchandise Show Video

Beginning  Tuesday, September 1, 2009 tickets go on sale for the Southern Womens Show presented in Orlando Florida. Discounted tickets can be purchased at any of the 18 Centra Care locations (majority are open 7 days a week) or at the Florida Hospital Digital Mammography locations in Orlando. The Southern Womens Show Orlando will feature endless exhibitors to suit every woman’s individual personality and taste, while providing beneficial information for their unique lifestyles. From food, fashion, shopping, health, beauty, and more–the show offers fun and unique experiences for women of all ages planning to attend this event.

Come and see all that the city of Orlando has to offer! With celebrity food chefs, local personalities, cookbook authors, you can sample delicious gourmet ingredients, splendid appetizers, healthy snacks, award winning recipes and you can take note on the secrets of incredible meals made in just minutes. Saturday, October 10th will be the not-to-miss fashion show sponsored by the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores and you’ll need to arrive early to get a front row seat at the hottest event: The Firefighter Fashion Show.  Come watch Orlando’s bravest strut their stuff down the runway. The Orange County Fire and Rescue Department will melt the catwalk while they raise funds to benefit the Children’s Burn Foundation. Other exhibitors will bring you information on items of interest including tourism bureaus with travel ideas for every budget, local news and radio stations promoting fun contests to participate in and even pit stops for you to pamper yourself with tips on this season’s hottest makeup trends, skin care products, hair treatment lines and the newest skin treatments. FREE prizes will be awarded daily to attendees, while discount exhibitor coupons for the show can be printed prior to your arrival to help you save on your shopping spree.

The Southern Womens Show will be held October 8-11, 2009 at the Orange County Convention Center, located off of International Drive South, Orlando, Florida. The show will run from:

• Thursday from 10am-6pm,
• Friday & Saturday from 10am-7pm and
• Sunday from 10am-5pm.

Southern Womens Show Lodging

Pricing Availability

Discounts are offered for 2 or 3 day attendance to the show. For exhibitors and visitors coming to Orlando, the options on renting hotels are endless but not cheap. Not only the hotel room but the shuttle service to the Convention Center cuts in the budget. An alternative is offered through Discount Vacation Rentals Online, where renting a vacation home near the OCCC and the attraction parks starts at $69 per night for a 2 bedroom. A 2 bedroom private pool home starts at $84 per night in our Fall Special.

Use the Info-button for prices and availability or call DVRO for more information on what options are perfect for your lodging and stay in the Orlando area: (407) 492-0094.

Orange County Convention Center OCCC

Parking will be accessible to attendees in the NORTH parking lot at the convention center. Admission is only $10.00 if you decide to purchase your tickets at the door upon arrival. You may always pick up discounted tickets at the many Centra Care Florida Hospital Urgent Care location closest to you. Tickets are provided at all centers for $7.50.  Plan on coming for a anther round of fabulousness the following day? Your second ticket is only $5 (with proof of your first paid ticket stub. Second day admission must be paid during your initial visit). The Orange Country Convention Center charges a parking fee of $8 per car, so plan ahead and car pool with the ladies on down to the Southern Women’s Show of Orlando this October. Let’s just call it a short retreat, where the girls can get together for a great weekend and celebrate being a woman of today!

After the grand success of Surf Expo in Orlando of August this year,  January 14 -17, 2010 we are going all out on a wave to the Orlando Convention Center again to enjoy what is new for the upcoming year in the surfing world. More than 20,000 visitors are expected at this surf show in the OCCC and that means a lot of attention from the media and onlookers close to the surfing world. One of the memorable attractions on last years show was the Red Carpet photo booth from Cy Cyr. Memorable because it lays out the fun guests and exhibitors had in front of the camera. Watch the slide show (1400 pics in total) here and you can order some high resolution pictures for your personal surf expo album. Password is “surfexpo”.

At this moment of writing, there is not much announced yet on the edition of the upcoming Surf Expo Orlando 2010, so visit frequently to see what updates we have on the show. With the Orlando Surf Expo only just behind us, many locals took the surf board to the waters and had some incredible wave action going with hurricane Danny passing by the eastern coastal areas and throwing up some considerable waves to ride.

Surf Expo Lodging Accommodations

Availability & Prices

While the organization is offering hotel rooms for guests and exhibitors to the Surf Show at greatly reduced pricing, many will be seeking more luxurious accommodations in the area. Considering a motel room (Clarion?) starts at $65 for participants (more luxurious hotels run from $151-$229 for the ones closer to the convention center), your traveling party can have a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom vacation home with private pool for $89 per night during the Surf Expo Orlando 2010. If you prefer a condo or a town house, these are available still at $79 per night for a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom unit in resort style gated communities. For larger groups and companies a 4 bedroom private pool home for example will be $109 per night for the home (not per person).

Call Discount Vacation Rentals Online at (407) 492-0094 and mention “SurfExpo”.

October 1-3 the Orange County Convention Center goes green with the FNGLA horticulture conference: The Orlando Landscape Show. The first in its kind, with +200,000 sq.ft. of trees, shrubs and in between over 500 exhibitors and their equipment. This is what more than 8,000 visitors are to expect from the Landscape Show 2009. The conference puts its focus on production and landscape management to design and retail. Daily, the guests can attend free demonstrations in any of those topics. Thursday October 1st doors will open at 10am through 5pm. Friday you can get in at 9am through 5pm and the final day Saturday October 3rd doors will open at 9am but close early at 2pm. Registration is required, so don’t miss a show that is recognized as one of the premier nursery and landscape trade shows in the country. For more information on the schedule of events go here.

The FNGLA -Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association- did a great job in filling the available time on the floor to a maximum with a multitude of different courses the attendees can follow, a lot of display features of plants, trees and shrubs like the vertical gardens or green walls and more. A few not-to-miss highlights are the session of Dr Henry Fishkind (Fishkind and Associates) who is scheduled to make his presentation before the fair opens so that everyone can attend. Dr Fishkind will announce economical insights resulting from a study over the past 6 months done in the landscape sector. The entertainment portion of the Landscape Show are the Golf Tournament held at the Cypress Gardens Golf Club and the Friday night awards gala with the announcement of the Roy Rood Award winner.

Landscape Show Lodging Accommodations

Hotels on International Drive are still available for the conference dates of the Landscape Show. For those who are interested in attending the show during these days and combine their presence here in Orlando with some fun, there is also the option of using much more spacious vacation rentals in the area. Vacation homes in Orlando are private pool homes and cover a living space of approx. 1500-1800 sq.ft. (compared to 300 sq.ft. for a hotel room) and these homes start at $84 per night (3 night minimum). A condo or town home for rent in Orlando runs from $69 per night for a 2 bedroom unit an are an approx. 1200 sq.ft. For more information on these vacation rentals during the FNGLA Landscape Show, contact:

Discount Vacation Rentals Online, 7862 W. Irlo Bronson Hwy Ste 127, Kissimmee Florida 34747, phone (407) 492-0094

The TICA 2009 Cat Show is held in the Orlando Convention Center on International Drive over the weekend of September 5 and 6, 2009 and doors are open from 9am to 4pm. This show is known for its variety of cat breeds such as Bengal, Savanah, Toyger, Munchkin and many more. On Sunday it is the “Best In Show” presentation and there is a possibility to meet and greet with the different breeders. They even have a cat adoption on-site from breeders as well as rescue shelters.

Various incentives are in place as well: for example when you bring a large can or bag of cat food with you to the show you get $1.00 off admission. TICA 2009 Annual show is still searching for volunteers and are seeking people who can help in areas such as: gate greeters for both days, people who can lend a hand for the set-up on Friday, people who are available to bring and take back the judges of the cat show at different times still to be determined and more. Contact Tica here for more information.

TICA 2009 Lodging Accommodations

The organization is suggesting the Wyndham Resort Hotel at the opposite end of International Drive. It is believed that shuttle service is available as it is a 10-15 minute trip over I-Drive to get to the Orange County Convention Center. Complimentary shuttle to Universal Studios and SeaWorld, Wet ‘n Wild are offered but transportation from the airport to the hotel is at your own expense. Here you can find some reviews on the Wyndham hotel. The room sizes offered are approx. 300 sq.ft. according to the Wyndham Orlando Resort web site.

Other lodging accommodations in Orlando for this show are offered through Discount Vacation Rentals Online for the long

Labor Day weekend. Options are town homes, condos or vacation homes, from 2 to 8 bedrooms large and starting at $69 per night for a 2 bedroom condo of approx. 1200 sq.ft. or $84 for a 2 bedroom private pool home with an average of 1500 sq.ft. under AC living space. For more information and availability, please visit the Orlando vacation rental homepage or contact:

Discount Vacation Rentals Online

7862 W. Irlo Bronson Hwy Ste 127

Kissimmee Florida 34747

(407) 492-0094

We are presenting you in the spirit of cats and shows, the SeaWorld Orlando cat and dog show called Pet’s Ahoy and a not-to-miss show if you happen to visit this park while over here in Florida. Enjoy the video where cats really steal the show!

Everyone is invited on the Orlando Home Show Convention in the Orange County Convention Center on International Drive. This is “THE” show you cannot miss when you are building a home, just bought a home or if redecorating is on your mind.   The Orlando Home Show event is taking place the 3rd weekend of September 18-19-20, 2009 and the doors open on Friday and Saturday at 10am through 9pm and Sunday from 10am through 6pm.

What To Expect On The Orlando Home Show?

This grand event and a large portion of the Orlando Convention Center is dedicated to a wealth of business that will present their products and lines in the home improvement sector. Other than the usual stroll you get at many trade shows, you will find a number of live presentations on the floor, such as:

• Ty Pennington: Ty is the official spokesperson for this show by the way and you can read more about his appearance on the show here under.
• ScottJosephsOrlando Cooking performances: a list of chefs will show inside tips on cooking and how to use kitchen appliances to achieve some of the best kept secrets of the Chef’s kitchens.
• VIP guest appearances: you may meet some Orlando Magic Stars who will be attending the VIP lounge; 4 of the Orlando Magic dancers will accompany the stars as well.
• Contest: submit to a number of contest with some neath prices to win. One price is a trip to Vancouver to meet up with Ty Pennington just to give you one example.

Ty Pennington Live At The Orlando Home Show

It is likely that when you are in a situation of remodeling or purchasing a home you may have tuned in to the Home Improvement Network recently? Ty Pennington (“Move That Bus“?) is the official Spokesperson for this show and he will be at the Orlando Home Show in person. During his presence Ty Pennington will give away 4 FREE tickets for front row seats for his show. Ty will make his appearance on the show on Saturday September 19th at 11am and 3pm. Be there early as you can not reserve seats for this free presentation and seats are given at a first come first serve basis. If you are interested in a FREE copy of -and signed by- Ty’s book “Good Design Can Change Your Life”.

Lodging Accommodations For The Orlando Home Show

If you are coming into Orlando for just a one day visit to the Home Show and you are all by yourself, your best bet is to stay in one of the hotels in the area. A number of people are coming for the 3 days of the Orlando Home Show and possibly extend by a day or 2, 3 for some extra fun in the Florida attraction parks with the family, or for traveling groups, your best option would be renting a vacation home in Orlando. Depending on what your family needs are, DVRO can offer you a large variety of lodging accommodation options that will be far cheaper than hotel rooms, for sure. Not to mention much more luxurious, the town homes, condos or private pool homes are fully furnished & fully equipped. Just step in and enjoy your stay in the sunshine state! You can find more information on vacation homes in Orlando here or contact:

Discount Vacation Rentals Online

7862 W. Irlo Bronson Hwy Ste 127

Kissimmee Florida 34747

(407) 492-0094

If you like to see a presentation from a local news channel introducing this event, you can watch the video of the Orlando Home Show, click the picture below to start the video and learn how this home improvement show may help you in building or rebuilding your property. The Home Show will be held September 18 through the 20th, 2009. Have fun watching the video presentation and look forward to see you here in the convention center soon.

Over Labor Day weekend, the Zumba Fitness Convention is held in Orlando OCCC (Orange County Convention Center). This event will host about 2000 trainers, instructors and associates in the fitness industry all promoting the Zumba fitness family. Dates for this event are September 3-4-5 & 6, 2009.

The schedule for these 4 days of fun are:

• Thursday September 3, 2009: 12pm – 8pm Zumba Workshops
• Friday September 4, 2009:          8am – 5pm Zumba Workshops and Zumba Party at night.
• Saturday September 5, 2009:     8.30am start with keynote speakers and 3 different sessions through 4.45pm. At night, we host the Zumbathon.
• Sunday September 6, 2009          8.30am start with keynote speakers and 3 different sessions

As much as we like to call it a convention, this is a real party, Zumba style!

The workshops entail the Basic 2: a great and fun class for everyone with accents on principles of 4 dances: Belly Dance, Flamenco, Tango, and Samba. The Gold workshops focus on the anatomical, physiological, and physiological needs of beginners as well as the active adult population. Three more courses that will earn attention are the Aqua-Zumba (aqua aerobics), the ZumbaTonic (for the kids) and the Zumba-Toning (with rhythmic sticks). For those who are interested, this convention will offer specialty classes as well, including the African Workout, Hip-Hop-Remix and the Zumba Brazilian Carnival classes.

As you have noticed, there are two new (and long awaited) classes in the list above. The Aqua-Zumba and the Zumba Kids. This fest really is about the Zumba family reunite and the launch of these two new programs with some Zumba flavors joining the party. Z goes all out this year. Don’t miss it!

Zumba Convention Lodging

As of the posting, the Peabody hotel was already sold out. For those who are still searching lodging accommodations, the suggested remaining hotel(s) start at $109 per night plus fees plus shuttle. Do you know you have a 4 bedroom pool home with private pool and spa for less ($99 per night) for the Zumba convention attendees? Lodging accommodations in Orlando aplenty and everyone can choose their sleeping options as deemed perfect for their stay.

Below you can experience the last convention all over again with some video and it is apparent that not many like to see their party night out end in a lonesome hotel room. Some rooms next door may want to continue the party in their one bedroom suite but that is not contributing to your idea of fun in Orlando. You can find more about renting vacation homes in Orlando here for the Zumba Fitness Convention in Orlando. Or contact Discount Vacation Rentals Online for lodging options.

Discount Vacation Rentals Online, 7862 W. Irlo Bronson Hwy Ste 127, Kissimmee FL 34747, (407) 492-0094.

Video of the Zumba family and convention from last year. Experience the fun of the Zumba Fitness programs and attend the Orlando Convention September 3-6, 2009 in Florida. Lodging accommodations for the Zumba Fitness Convention are provided by Discount Vacation Rentals Online. Private pool homes, condos and town houses available. Check availability for your dates here.