Section I - Trade Show Executive

Trade Show Executive 

News, Views and Tools for Trade Show and Event Executives September 2012 

Nine Innovators Win 

Big in TSE's Readers' 

Choice Awards 

PAGE 42 

TSE Dashboard 

Reveals Growth in 

Net SF Stalled in July 

PAGE 28 

Most Metrics Flat 

for Medical Shows 

in First Half of 2012 

PAGE 11 

Tony 

Calanca 

1,152 SHOWS AND COUNTING 

www.TradeShowExecutive.com

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Table of Contents 

SEPTEMBER 2012 // VOLUME 13 NUMBER 9 

Special 

Insert 

TSE’s Semi-Annual 

Medical Show Report 

Medical shows came out of the gate 

in 2012 in low gear with flat numbers 

for both exhibit space and exhibiting 

companies. PAGE 11 


SEMI-ANNUAL MEDICAL SHOW REPORT 

January - June 2012 Show Site 

SHOW INFORMATION 2012/ 

AACN National Teaching 

Institute & Critical Care 

Exposition (NTI) 

American Association 

of Critical-Care Nurses 

www.aacn.org/nti 

A GEMENTS* 

AAMI Conference & Expo Charlo te, NC 26,700 4.4% 187 

AAMI - Association for the San 25,100 178 

Advancement of Medical Antonio, TX 

Instrumentation 

www.aami.org 

AAPA - American Academy Toronto 18,900 (51.5)% 130 (48.0) (51.2) 

of Physician Assistants Las Vegas 39,000 250 

Annual Conference 

American Academy 

of Physician Assistants 

www.aapa.org 

ACC Annual Scientific Chicago 161,850 

est. (1.0)% 318 est. (2.2) (2.0) 

Session & Expo (ACC.12) New Orleans 163,540 325 

American Co lege 

of Cardiology 

www.expo.acc.org 

American Academy of New Orleans 57,300 25.7% 216 

Neurology Annual Meeting Honolulu 45,600 150 

American Academy 

of Neurology 

www.aan.com 

American Academy of San Francisco 220,200 (14.2)% 518 

(2.8) (10.6) 

Orthopaedic Surgeons San Diego 256,760 533 

Annual Meeting 

American Academy of 

Orthopaedic Surgeons 

www.aaos.org 

Continued on page 6 

www.TradeShowExecutive.com | Medical Show Report 5 

– A SPECIAL REPORT BY – 


Medical 

Show 

Report 

3RD SEMI-ANNUAL EDITION 

Event Recap 

15 

SISO Executive 

Conference 

The largest SISO Executive Conference in 

four years drew show organizers to Chicago 

to look at the current best practices in 

content management and social media. 

16 

ASAE Annual 

Meeting & Expo 

ASAE had more than 6,000 attendees 

at its Annual Meeting & Exposition in Dallas. 

A study released at the event boiled down the 

contributions conferences and trade shows 

make to association revenues. 

 

COVER STORY 

36 

Power 

Lunch 

with Tony Calanca 

Advanstar Executive Vice 

President Tony Calanca has 

been a fixture in the trade show 

industry for three decades and is 

still on the front lines. He carved 

out some time with TSE’s Bob 

Dallmeyer and talk more about 

the future than the good old days. 

Features 

42 

TSE's Innovation 

Awards 2012 

The honorees for the TSE Annual Readers’ 

Choice Innovation Awards, as voted for by TSE 

readers, are revealed. Big names in the industry, 

as well as small businesses, win big time. 

50 

Hotel Convention 

Center Complexes 

Construction of hotels that include convention 

space has slowed down but these allin-one 

facilities still offer important options 

for show organizers and meeting planners. 

TSE looks at the current inventory of facilities 

connected to major convention centers. 

Copyright © 2012 by Trade Show Executive (ISSN Number 2151-7568) 

September 2012 Issue, Volume 13, Number 9. Trade Show Executive is published monthly by 

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®Trade Show Executive is a registered trademark of Trade Show Executive Inc. All rights reserved. 

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4 September 2012 | Trade Show Executive


EDITORIAL AND PUBLISHING HEADQUARTERS 

1945 Avenida del Oro, Suite 122, Oceanside, CA 92056 

Telephone: (760) 630-9105 • Fax: (877) 483-8912 

EDITORIAL AND RESEARCH 

Publisher & Editor Darlene Gudea 

(760) 630-9111 • dgudea@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Editor-at-Large Carol Andrews 

(562) 505-7903 • carolandrews@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Manager of Directories Carri Jensen 

(541) 286-4014 • cjensen@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Senior Editor Hil Anderson 

(760) 630-9107 • handerson@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Senior Editor Renee Di Iulio 

(310) 939-0197 • reneediiulio@tradeshowexecutive.com 

News Editor Sandi Cain 

(949) 497-2680 • scain@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Chief Economist Frank Chow 

(760) 630-9111 • fchow@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Columnist Bob Dallmeyer 

(323) 934-8300 • bdallmeyer@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Contributing Editor Danica Tormohlen 

(816) 803-8103 • danicat@tradeshowexecutive.com 

12 

Departments 

6 Month in Review 

Catch up on the most significant news 

and developments from the past month. 

• CEIR finds exhibitors devote 

larger slice of budget to space 

• UK changes exhibit VAT rules 

• Outdoor Retailer weighs in on land policy 

• Chocolate trade, public shows to debut 

• Schneider acquires Meetings Quest 

• Boston takes step toward BCEC expansion 

• LACC recommends changes 

12 Looking Ahead 

Here is a preview of how the major 

shows in November are shaping up. 

18 International News 

Major developments taking place 

in the Asian exhibition industry. 

28 

28 TSE’s Dashboard of Monthly 

Trade Show Metrics for July 

Attendance and exhibitor metrics improved 

slightly, but there was a slight decline in 

exhibit space growth. 

78 The Zoom Calendar 

Facts, figures and contact info for the 

most-important trade shows scheduled for 

November, all classified by industry sector. 

EVENTS 

Vice President of Events Diane Bjorklund 

(630) 312-8915 • dbjorklund@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Assistant Event Manager Jennifer Woertz 

(858) 735-9079 • jwoertz@tradeshowexecutive.com 

SALES AND MARKETING 

Vice President/Associate Publisher Irene Sperling 

(818) 990-1080 • isperling@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Advertising Manager Linda Braue 

(424) 731-7523 • lbraue@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Business Development Director – Latin America 

Rafael Hernández • +52 (55) 2455-3545 ext. 110 

rhernandez@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Business Development Director – Asia Quentin Chan 

(852) 23661106 • qchan@tradeshowexecutive.com 

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION 

Creative Director Kathleen Maloney 

(760) 630-9106 • kmaloney@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Graphic Designer Michelle Restrepo 

(760) 630-9105 • mrestrepo@tradeshowexecutive.com 

TSE MEDIA GROUP BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Chairman of the Board Richard A. Simon 

Vice Chairman Mark Feldman 

President Darlene Gudea 

Vice President Joan Feldman 

MEDIA PARTNERS: 

MEMBER OF: 

23 Trending & Spending 

The U.S. economy is still limping along, 

but will show organizers and other businesses 

soon feel a new pinch from a looming array 

of new federal regulations? 

86 People in the News 

• O’Loughlin • Monteferrante 

• Zapata 

86 Index to Advertisers 

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MONTH IN REVIEW 

CEIR: Exhibitors Spend 

Higher Percentage on Space 

BY HIL ANDERSON, senior editor 

Dallas, TX – The total amount of money 

exhibitors spend on trade shows has been 

relatively flat since 2007 although a higher 

percentage of each exhibitor dollar now 

goes to pay for exhibit space, the Center 

for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) 

said in a new report. CEIR updated its 

2007 study, How the Exhibit Dollar is Spent, 

and determined that 36% of each dollar 

spent on exhibiting goes to booth space 

compared to 31% in 2007. 

An estimated $24.5 billion is currently 

being spent annually in the U.S. alone on 

exhibiting this year, up from $24.1 billion 

in 2007. CEIR said spending moved up 

despite the worldwide recession, likely 

because 99% of the exhibitors taking 

part in the study considered trade shows 

to have benefits that are not provided 

by other marketing channels. 

Exhibiting provides valuable face-toface 

contact with potential customers, and 

many companies devote the largest share 

of their marketing dollars to trade shows. 

Other categories included: 

• Show services, 17% compared 

to 20.3% in 2007 

• Exhibit Design, including graphics, 

11% compared to 11.2% 

• Shipping, 10% compared to 10.8% 

• Promotion, including pre-show and 

post-show, 6% compared to 7.5% 

The 2012 report also introduced a separate 

category for lead management and 

measurement, which was not part of the 

2007 survey. In 2012, lead management 

accounted for 4% of spending. 

The report, which is available at 

no charge to CEIR members and $24 to 

nonmembers, can be downloaded from 

the CEIR website and will provide show 

organizers with guidance on what their 

customers are spending their money on. 

“The data in this report is a resource for 

exhibiting companies to plan and budget 

the cost of their participation in events,” 

said Doug Ducate, president and CEO 

of CEIR. “It also provides a guide for 

organizers and service providers on the 

many different cost centers that comprise 

the overall cost of exhibiting.” 

The survey was based on a study conducted 

by CEIR this Summer. A sampling 

of 233 exhibitors from The International 

Center for Exhibitor and Event Marketing 

as well as Exhibtrac’s Top 250 exhibitions 

was included in the data. The direct-spend 

figures were updated using CEIR’s Predict 

Model. Data provided by the Exhibit Designers 

and Producers Association also 

provided source material for the report. 

Reach Doug Ducate at (972) 687-9242 

or dducate@ceir.org 

Britain Changes VAT Rules for UK Exhibition Booths 

London, UK – Great Britain has revised 

its value added tax (VAT) rules for trade 

show booths to bring them in line with 

the rest of Europe. 

The key change is the reclassification 

of booths as “exhibition services,” which 

will allow British show organizers to 

“reverse charge” exhibitors from European 

Union nations outside the United 

Kingdom rather than add the UK’s VAT 

to their customers’ invoices. 

The Association of Event Organizers 

(AEO), which had led the lobbying effort 

for the changes, called it a positive move for 

show organizers. “I am delighted with this 

fantastic news, which represents a big win 

for our industry,” said CEO Karim Halwagi. 

The European Union and tax collectors 

from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs 

(HMRC) had previously classified 

and taxed an exhibition booth as “land” 

since it was basically on a fixed spot and 

was not considered a completed structure. 

The new definition gives greater 

weight to the services provided to the 

booth, such as utilities, equipment rentals 

and even the construction of the booth. 

Most business-to-business services 

provided in the UK are not subject to 

the British VAT, although services provided 

to “land” are subject to the British 

VAT. By eliminating the land classification 

from trade show booths, show 

organizers in the United Kingdom can 

now leave it to non-British EU exhibitors 

to pay the VAT levied by their respective 

home nations, a practice known 

as reverse charging. 

“UK exhibition organizers will 

continue to charge the UK VAT to UK 

exhibitors,” Paula Ripoll, AEO marketing 

communications manager, told Trade 

Show Executive. “If exhibitors from the 

rest of Europe provide a VAT number, 

they won’t be charged any VAT, but there 

needs to be a note on the invoice highlighting 

that it is a reverse charge.” 

Reach Karim Halwagi at +44 (0)1442 

285810 or karim@aeo.org.uk; Paula Ripoll at 

+44 1442 (0) 285810 or paula@aeo.org.uk 


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Outdoor Retailer Flexes 

Its Political Muscle 

BY DANICA TORMOHLEN, contributing editor 

Salt Lake City, UT – With a potential move 

out of Salt Lake City already on the table, 

the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) 

Board of Directors met with Utah Gov. 

Gary Herbert on August 1 and threatened 

to pull the Outdoor Retailer Summer 

and Winter Markets if the state doesn’t 

change its position on its public lands 

policy. At issue is the governor’s lawsuit 

challenging the federal government over 

jurisdiction of the federal public lands 

and some road claims within national 

parks, monuments and wilderness areas. 

The association opposes Utah's effort 

to open thousands of dirt paths across 

public lands to motor vehicles. 

“We are encouraged that Gov. Herbert 

committed to engage with the outdoor 

industry to create a shared vision of how 

the State of Utah can pursue public land 

policies that support the outdoor industry 

and the National Outdoor Recreation 

System upon which the health of Utah’s 

economy and our industry depend,” 

according to a statement issued by the 

OIA board. “We expect that the governor’s 

administration will pursue this 

collaboration with the outdoor industry 

within the next 30 days, and that the 

governor’s administration will provide 

specific recommendations by Outdoor 

Retailer Winter Market 2013.” 

The meeting between the OIA Board 

and Gov. Herbert was held on the eve of 

the 2012 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, 

which was held August 1-5 at the Salt 

Palace Convention Center. The Outdoor 

Retailer Summer Market, ranked #32 on 

TSE’s Gold 100 in 2011, attracted 21,465 

professional attendees and 1,033 exhibiting 

companies, covering 439,944 nsf in 

2010. The Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, 

ranked #46 on TSE’s Gold 100 in 2011, 

attracted 20,721 professional attendees 

and 453 exhibiting companies, covering 

343,072 nsf in 2010. The two events 

are estimated to generate $40 million 

in revenue to the Utah economy. 

Outdoor Retailer (OR), owned by Nielsen 

Expositions and endorsed and sponsored 

by OIA, has been held in Salt Lake City 

since 1996. Its contract with Salt Palace 

Convention Center is set to expire after 

the 2014 Summer Market. Earlier this 

year, Outdoor Retailer and OIA announced 

plans to launch the “Collective Voice” 

project in order to poll the industry and 

facilitate discussion on the best location 

for future trade shows as the markets have 

outgrown the facilities in Salt Lake City. 

The other cities being reviewed as possible 

replacements include Denver, Las Vegas, 

Anaheim, CA, and Orlando, FL. 

“We’ve done surveys of the OR audience 

for years and have even posted the 

results on our web site for the whole 

industry to see,” said Kenji Haroutunian, 

vice president for Nielsen Expositions 

and OR show director. “Though the surveys 

are extremely helpful, the Collective 

Voice project adds an important new 

element to the process by giving every 

industry stakeholder a voice. This way, 

a dialog can develop amongst industry 

leaders and a thoughtful, inclusive and 

open process can drive the resulting 

decisions that will determine the future 

success of the OR shows.” 

That decision may now be impacted 

by Gov. Herbert’s response. “Regarding 

the future of Outdoor Retailer, OIA, in 

partnership with owners Nielsen Expositions, 

is continuing productive conversations 

about the logistical needs of the 

trade show and greatly appreciates efforts 

to meet our challenges,” according to 

the statement. “While not the deciding 

factor in a location decision, the political 

climate in a host state is one of many 

elements that will be considered. We 

remain open to finding solutions with 

Utah’s leadership that improve collaboration 

and ensure the continued growth 

and success of the state’s expanding 

outdoor recreation business community.” 

In late August, three of the governor's 

top aides met with OIA at its headquarters 

in Boulder, CO, to discuss the 

“timing and process for the governor to 

deliver his vision for outdoor recreation 

in Utah,” said Avery Stonich, communications 

manager, OIA. “His staff is 

planning to share this vision by Outdoor 

Retailer Winter Market in January.” 

Reach Avery at (303) 638-1586 or astonich@ 

outdoorindustry.org, Kenji at (949) 226-5794 

or kenji.haroutunian@nielsen.com 

got news? 

As you near the fi nal stages of an acquisition, 

As you 

change in management, expansion, launch or 

other important news, let us know in advance 

that news is about to break. 

CONTACT: 

Darlene Gudea, PUBLISHER & EDITOR 

(760) 630-9111 

dgudea@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Hil Anderson, SENIOR EDITOR 

(760) 630-9107 

handerson@tradeshowexecutive.com 


Chocoholics to 

Converge on Chicago 

BY SANDI CAIN, news editor 

Miami, FL – Mario Pi hopes to create a buzz with the debut 

of the co-located National Chocolate Show and Fine Chocolate 

Show this November in Chicago. But he hopes that will come 

from more than just the candy. Pi, President of Miami-based 

Unlimited Sales Group, which owns the shows, sees the 

combination trade and consumer events as perfect fit 

with the growing foodie culture sweeping the nation. 

Despite health concerns that created a bit of a meltdown 

for mainstream candies, Pi said the fine chocolate segment 

is booming. “To some degree, it’s growing as fine food shows 

grow,” he said. Pi noted that the healthier dark chocolate, 

organic and sugar-free sectors are growing, along with 

a variety of chocolate pairing events. 

“The power of chocolate is beyond comprehension,” he said. 

In Pi’s case, he developed a taste for the sector as a consultant 

for Latin American companies seeking to import their products 

to the U.S., including an Ecuadorian cocoa bean farmer 

who wanted to reach producers of artisanal chocolate. Pi, 

who once staged home and import/export shows, figured 

trade shows were the logical place to start. 

He saw possibilities in the format of a large co-located 

chocolate trade and consumer show in France and figured 

a chocolate pairing of trade and consumer shows might work 

in the U.S. In November, he’ll see if he’s right. 

Slated for the Navy Pier in Chicago, the trade-oriented National 

Chocolate Show is expected to draw about 100 exhibitors 

in 40,000 gross sf of exhibit space and bring in between 3,000 

to 5,000 attendees. 

The consumer-oriented Fine Chocolate Show will feature 125 

exhibitors in 30,000 gross sf of exhibit space and draw between 

17,000 to 20,000 people for a taste of products from a vat-full of 

local companies such as Fannie May Fine Chocolates, Blommer 

Chocolate Company and World’s Finest Chocolates. “Chicago is 

the chocolate capital … and a great convention city,” he said. 

The chocolate show pairing offers perks like crossover 

privileges to every exhibitor and attendee except consumer 

attendees. “It’s a built-in audience (providing) more bang 

for the buck,” he said. Consumer attendees will get a limited 

number of coupons for chocolate sampling intended to 

generate sales, not just a buzz. 

The dual show concept does create extra challenges, but Pi 

doesn’t expect any meltdown. Consumer show tickets will 

be sold on a separate floor from the trade show. Unlimited 

Sales will handle registration for the trade side; Navy Pier 

will handle the consumer side. Source One of Chicago is 

the service contractor for both shows. 

Reach Mario Pi at (786) 558-5234 or mrp2001@bellsouth.net 

Schneider Acquires 

Meetings Quest and 

its Planner Events 

BY HIL ANDERSON, senior editor 

Los Angeles, CA – Meetings Quest, the organizers of an annual 

series of one-day expositions for event and meeting planners 

produced by J.T. Dunn Enterprises, has been acquired by 

Schneider Publishing Company. Beginning in 2013, Meetings 

Quest will join Schneider Publishing’s suite of media that 

serves the meeting industry including Association News, Sports- 

Travel and the TEAMS Conference & Expo. Meanwhile, Barbara 

Cox-Dunn will remain in charge of the Meetings Quest events 

for the Fall season. 

Meetings Quest will be staging four events this year beginning 

September 19 in Raleigh, NC. Other events will take 

place in Atlanta, Minneapolis and Washington, DC. 

“We are excited to be adding a live-show component that 

will be marketed alongside Association News magazine,” said 

Timothy Schneider, president and CEO of Schneider Publishing. 

“Meetings Quest is a brand with a long and proud history 

and we are looking forward to introducing several enhancements 

to this series of shows.” 

Schneider did not reveal the terms of the transaction or 

the details of the enhancement plan. 

Reach Tim Schneider at (310) 577-3700 or tim.schneider@ 

schneiderpublishing,com; Barbara Cox-Dunn at (301) 249-4600 

or coxy@jtdunn.com 

www.TradeShowExecutive.com | September 2012 9


Los Angeles Recommends Changes at Convention Center 

Los Angeles, CA – Management of the 

Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) 

may be shifted to a private operator 

as part of a larger effort to increase 

the convention and trade show 

business at the downtown facility. 

City Administrative Officer Miguel 

Santana issued a formal recommendation 

to the city council this month urging 

them to hire a private management firm 

and make changes to the center’s booking 

policies. The goal is to increase the flow of 

citywide events at the convention center, 

which Santana concluded was currently 

weighed too heavily with consumer 

shows and other day-tripper events. 

“According to the data collected, 

in 2010-2011, only 11% (or 145,368) 

of LACC's total attendees were from 

citywide conventions, in comparison to 

competing facilities whose total attendees 

from citywide conventions were closer 

to 60%,” Santana said in his report to the 

council. “There appears to be an opportunity 

to significantly increase the number 

of convention attendees at the LACC with 

various operational and policy changes.” 

The proposed policy changes involve 

shortening booking windows and potentially 

reducing the amount of time 

the Los Angeles Auto Show has exclusive 

access to the center to improve the odds 

of signing up new events for November. 

Santana said the changes would both 

reduce the city’s operating costs for the 

LACC and increase hotel tax revenues 

to the city treasury. Consumer shows, 

he said, contributed to the LACC’s revenues 

but provided minimal benefit to 

the General Fund. 

Santana’s proposed timetable would 

include issuing a request for proposals 

from management companies in September 

and finalizing a selection in 

January. A major goal would be to get 

a new management firm in place before 

the planned razing of the center’s West 

Hall and construction of new exhibit 

space to accommodate the planned 

construction of Farmer’s Field, a new 

NFL football stadium, next door. 

The Los Angeles Times said AEG had 

expressed an interest in managing 

the convention center. AEG would 

run Farmer’s Field and already operates 

the nearby Staples Center and L.A. Live 

complex. The company manages more 

than 100 arenas and similar venues 

world wide but is not a major player 

in the U.S. convention center sector. 

SMG, which is a major player in 

convention center management, would 

also be a likely candidate to run the 

LACC. “We have been tracking the 

L.A. Convention Center for some time,” 

said Gregg Caren, senior vice president 

Strategic Business Development, for 

SMG. “We understand that the city, 

CVB and hoteliers are seeking higher 

levels of occupancy and service, and are 

anxious to participate in the process.” 

Reach Miguel Santana at (213) 473-7534 or 

miguel.santana@lacity.org; Gregg Caren at 

(610) 729-7922 or gcaren@smgworld.com 

Boston Takes Major Step in First Phase of Expansion 

BY SANDI CAIN, News Editor 

Boston, MA -The Massachusetts Convention 

Center Authority (MCAA) took a 

major step toward the first phase of its $2 

billion expansion with a plan to acquire 

a large tract of land behind the Boston 

Convention & Exhibition Center for new 

convention-oriented hotels. The 5.6-acre 

parcel had long been slated for residential 

development by a trio of owners who 

were unable to fulfill that goal. 

Most recently, property owner Intercontinental 

Real Estate Corp. was reportedly 

in negotiations to sell the parcel to 

Houston-based Hanover Co., which is 

building a 21-story tower at Pier 4 in 

the same vicinity. MCAA proposes to 

acquire that land for roughly $33 million. 

The move for the parcel on D St. comes 

on the heels of state legislation that repealed 

a ban on building south of Summer 

St. The new legislative mandate allows up 

to seven hotels with a total of 3,000 rooms 

in the area. MCAA could use eminent 

domain to acquire the property, according 

to other published reports. 

MCAA executive director James 

Rooney declined to comment on the 

eminent domain option. But MCAA 

lobbied heavily for removal of the ban 

on development in order to create more 

hotel rooms in proximity to the convention 

center — a key factor in attracting 

more business. 

“We’d love to see a new 1,000-room 

headquarters hotel and two mid-priced 

hotels with 500 rooms within the next 

three to five years,” Rooney said. He said 

there are numerous potential parcels in 

the area and called the process “part of 

our expansion plans.” 

The Boston Convention & Exhibition 

Center says it needs more area hotels to 

support the center’s expansion aimed at 

attracting more and larger trade shows — 

a key part of MCAA’s mission. This year is 

expected to be the center’s best since 2007 

in the number of conventions booked. 

Those conventions are expected to generate 

more than 600,000 room nights in 2012. 

“The banner year shows that the convention 

center is coming in to its own after 

seven years,” Rooney said. Having more 

hotel rooms for attendees would only add 

to the center’s attractiveness, he said. 

Reach James Rooney at (617) 954-2470 or 

JRooney@massconvention.org 


LOOKING AHEAD 

What Major Trade Shows are on Tap for November? 

International Pool/Spa/Patio Expo 

NOVEMBER 6-8 

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA 

The International Pool/Spa/Patio Expo 

opens its exhibit hall for only two days, 

but the educational portion of the conference 

stretches November 3-8, giving 

attendees five full days to take it all in 

and still block out some time to enjoy 

the sights and sounds of New Orleans. 

The 90-minute length of most seminars 

is designed to satisfy the educational 

needs of attendees, including professional 

continuing education units, and still 

leave some time to visit the exhibit hall. 

“The expo’s educational program 

accommodates all levels from novice 

through expert,” said show director 

Lindsay Roberts. “The seminars focus 

on helping to improve production, 

performance and the bottom line.” 

Hanley Wood assigned more than 

117,500 nsf of exhibit space, or about 

82% of its total, at its Spring space drawing 

and was nearly sold out by late Summer.Roberts 

confirmed that the three 

largest vendors in the sector had agreed 

to exhibit. One of the “Big 3” exhibitors, 

Master Spas, promised to have Olympic 

swimming champion Michael Phelps at 

its booth to talk pools with attendees. 

Reach Lindsay Roberts at (972) 536- 

6352 or lroberts@hanleywood.com 

FABTECH 2012 

NOVEMBER 12-14 

Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV 

36 on the TSE Gold 100 

Manufacturing has been on the rebound 

and is fueling both optimism and booth 

sales at FABTECH 2012. The five industry 

associations behind FABTECH are 

expecting 25,000 attendees for the midmonth 

event, which showcases the latest 

machinery for high-end metal fabrication 

and finishing. 

“The slow but steady economic recovery 

makes attending FABTECH more 

important than ever for manufacturers 

who wish to stay ahead of the competition 

and discover the latest technologies 

from around the world,” said Mark 

Hoper, co-manager of the show. 

FABTECH also encourages attendees 

to look at the Las Vegas show as a major 

networking opportunity where they 

can meet potential customers, suppliers 

and partners from the four corners 

of the globe. “The connections made 

and knowledge shared at FABTECH will 

help fuel the engine behind the current 

economic recovery — the manufacturing 

sector,” Hoper said. To encourage faceto-face 

interaction among attendees and 

vendors with similar interests, the show 

floor’s 400,000 nsf will be laid out in five 

separate pavilions dedicated to different 

areas of metalworking. 

The new products being unveiled 

at FABTECH by its approximately 1,100 

exhibitors were available on the show’s 

website www.fabtechexpo.com in the 

months prior to opening day. A detailed 

search function allowed attendees 

to find items of interest and add them 

to their individual show planners. 

Reach Mark Hoper at (815) 399-8775 

or mhoper@sme.org 


FABTECH 2012 

Intl. Pool/Spa/Patio Expo 


LOOKING AHEAD 

Continued from page 12 

Print World 2012 

NOVEMBER 17-19 

Direct Energy Centre, Toronto, ON 

Organizers expect to again draw 8,000 

attendees from the printing industry 

and more than 200 exhibitors who will 

occupy about 125,000 nsf at Direct 

Energy Centre in Toronto. 

The biennial Print World is billed as the 

third-largest printing exhibition in North 

America and credits a revamped marketing 

program launched for the 2010 show 

with maintaining firm metrics despite 

the recession. 

This year, the show organizers at North 

Island Graphics Media have expanded 

the scope of the show with four new 

vertical “world” exhibit areas. Sign World, 

for example, focuses on large printing 

jobs, such as signs and banners. The other 

world areas cater to publishers, direct 

mailers and label printers. “For exhibitors, 

this adds tremendous value to their 

participation at Print World, without costing 

a penny more,” said show manager 

Sandy Donald. “We have the databases, 

list partners, and digital and marketing 

wherewithal to create targeted campaigns 

that are the most relevant to each sector.” 

The pavilion concept fits in with the 

high level of specialization at Print World. 

The attractions include a special China 

pavilion and the popular Case Study 

Theater, which debuted in 2010 and 

will feature presentations from printing 

executives on how their companies 

handled various challenging jobs. 

Reach Sandy Donald at (905) 625-7070, 

x230, or s.donald@northisland.ca 

RSNA Scientific Assembly 

and Annual Meeting 

NOVEMBER 25 - 30 

McCormick Place, Chicago, IL 


The Radiological Society of North America 

(RSNA) is holding the 98th annual 

edition of the largest medical meeting 

in the U.S. in terms of exhibit space. Tom 

Shimala, director, technical exhibits, said 

floor space at McCormick Place would 

likely reach 435,150 nsf, off just slightly 

compared to 2011. The dip can be attributed 

to a corresponding and equally modest 

decline in the number of exhibitors. 

Advance registration for professional 

attendees was nearly 10,000 in August, 

or 3% below the same time last year, just 

as news headlines proliferated about 

Congress scrutinizing conference travel 

costs for the Veterans Administration. 

Exhibitors will have an additional opportunity 

to reach their potential customers 

through a presentation theater that is new 

this year. The Exhibitor Product Theater 

will be set up in a high-traffic area of South 

RSNA 

Hall and gives companies the opportunity 

to tout their new products or present 

research papers in a location away from 

their booths. The 2,000 square-foot theater 

seats 125 and is equipped with the necessary 

audio-visual equipment plus two 

lead-retrieval units. Show organizers will 

promote the presentations at the Annual 

Meeting and stream them live on the virtual 

meeting site. The presentations are 45 minutes 

each and the time slots are also limited, 

which adds value to the $9,500 price tag. 

The educational component includes 

new research on mammograms, brain 

imaging and sports concussions that 

appeal to the mainstream and medical 

media. A mock medical malpractice 

trial will also be staged for radiologists 

concerned about the potential radiation 

overdosing of patients. 

Reach Tom Shimala at (630) 368-3760 

or tshimala@rsna.org 

PRI Trade Show 

NOVEMBER 29-DECEMBER 1 

Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL 


Many new and some familiar faces were 

among the 130 new exhibitors signed up 

for the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) 

Trade Show in Orlando. Among the new 

exhibitors will be companies involved in 

computer systems that are used to test the 

designs of new racing cars in cyberspace. 

This sector of exhibitors has grown large 

enough and important enough to rate a 

new High Performance Computing & Testing 

Technologies zone on the show floor. 

There is also new ownership: The PRI 

operation was sold earlier this year to 

the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers 

Association (SEMA), which is keeping 

the PRI team led by John Kilroy at the 

helm of the annual event for the “hardcore” 

racing industry. 

The PRI Trade Show has become an 

off-season highlight for the large number 

of small businesses involved in delivering 

parts, technology and new ideas to the 

increasingly high-tech sport. Of the 2,900 

companies exhibiting in 2012, some are 

first-time exhibitors and others are companies 

that had dropped out prior to 2011. 

Reach John Kilroy at (949) 499-5413 

or johnk@performanceracing.com 


EVENT RECAP 

2012 SISO Executive Conference Focuses 

on Marketing and Process Improvements 

BY DANICA TORMOHLEN, contributing editor 

Chicago, IL – Trade show organizers 

and suppliers gathered for the Society of 

Independent Show Organizers (SISO) Executive 

Conference, held August 13-15, at the 

Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel. 

The 2012 event attracted 98 trade show 

executive attendees, compared with 94 at 

last year’s conference in Philadelphia. The 

three-day event featured a variety of educational 

sessions that focused on the event's 

theme, Building Essentials for the Future. 

For each piece of 

content, we try to come 

up with 10 ways to use it. 

For example, a podcast 

featuring a speaker at 

our event can be turned 

into a blog entry that can 

be pushed out through 

several social media 

channels, published in our 

print publication and in 

e-newsletters, etc. 

Joe Pulizzi, FOUNDER OF 

CONTENT MARKETING INSTITUTE 

“This event was the largest in four years 

since we changed the conference format 

to attract executive-level attendees,” said 

Lew Shomer, executive director, SISO. 

“Total attendance, including suppliers 

and press, was about 150.” 

Session Highlights 

At the opening keynote, Joe Pulizzi, founder, 

Content Marketing Institute & Content 

Marketing World, discussed the content 

Rave Reviews in Second City. Ninety-eight trade show executives and 52 industry suppliers 

gathered for education and networking at the SISO Executive Conference. Topics covered include: 

the content marketing revolution, how to build a community and business process improvement. 

marketing revolution. “Marketers are publishers 

today,” said Pulizzi. “In recent years, 

the barriers to entry — content acceptance, 

talent and technology — have lowered. 

You don’t have to be the Wall Street 

Journal to have your content accepted.” 

Indeed, 90% of marketers say they use 

content marketing to grow their businesses, 

and they are spending an average 

of 25% of their total marketing budgets 

on it, according to B2B Content Marketing: 

2012 Benchmarks, Budgets & Trends 

(A complete copy of the survey can 

be found at http://bit.ly/2012cmtrends). 

When it comes to content assets, Pulizzi 

employs the 10:1 rule. “For each piece of 

content, we try to come up with 10 ways 

to use it,” he said. “For example, a podcast 

featuring a speaker at our event can be 

turned into a blog entry that can be pushed 

out through several social media channels 

(ours and the speaker’s), published in our 

print publication and in e-newsletters, etc.” 

At the session, How to Build a Community 

and Manage its Content, Allen Bonde, chief 

marketing officer, The Pulse Network, 

discussed the importance of creating 

content that is shareable. The key: Figure 

out who are the top influencers in your 

industry, and make it easy for them to 

share your content. “Typically, about 90% 

of your community will simply watch and 

read, 9% are semi-frequent contributors 

and 1% are actively posting. Get that 

1% to support your community.” 

Cristopher Levy, managing partner, 

Encore Media Partners, presented Surfing 

the Digital Media Wave to More Attendance. 

“Online display ads offer huge opportunities 

for growing attendance, but purchasing 

online ads can be complex,” he said. 

His advice: Trust but verify. “You have 


EVENT RECAP 


to understand tracking protocols and 

know where your ad is appearing,” he 

said. “Be sure to put that in your contract.” 

He cited a recent Comscore study 

that found that only 69% of online display 

ads by 12 of the largest brand marketers 

are actually seen by a live human 

being. “Just because the ad is delivered, 

it doesn’t mean it’s being seen,” said Levy. 

At the session, Using Business Process Improvement 

to Enhance the Customer Experience, 

Lori Jenks, vice president, operations, 

Nielsen Expositions, told the audience how 

she used BPI to move from a paper floorplan 

to an automated online tool. 

For one show, Nielsen was able to 

reduce the amount of stakeholder time 

spent checking and rechecking the paper 

floor plan by more than 80% per show — 

from over 200 hours for the Winter show 

to 35 hours, and from 370 hours for 

the Summer show to 60 hours. Defining, 

measuring, analyzing, improving and 

controlling the problem took about six 

months, from June to December 2011. 

Nielsen has also completed BPI projects 

for hotel contracts, sponsorship fulfillment, 

exhibitor service manuals, on-site 

registration badge pick-up, floor plan management 

and booth package fulfillment. 

“The results have been dramatic,” she said. 

“For sponsorship fulfillment, we reduced 

cycle time by 30% and increased sponsorship 

profit margins by 10% on average 

across all Nielsen Expositions events.” 

Networking & More 

In addition to the educational sessions, 

the event featured plenty of opportunities 

for networking. The opening reception 

and dinner was held at Chicago Symphony 

Orchestra. The second night featured 

a reception and dinner aboard a cruise 

along the Chicago River, followed by 

an afterglow party at Harry Caray’s 

Legendary Steak House. 

To view photos from the event or 

download session presentations, go to 

www.siso.org. The 2013 SISO Executive 

Conference will be held August 6-8 in 

Washington, DC. Next up, the SISO 

CEO Summit will be held April 8-11 

at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island, SC. 

Reach Lew Shomer at (310) 450-8831, ext. 

106, or lshomer@shomex.com; Joe Pulizzi at 

(216) 941-5842 or joe@contentinstitute.com; 

Cristopher Levy at (310) 497-4656 or clevy@ 

encoremediapartners.com; and Lori Jenks at 

(949) 226-5710 or Lori.Jenks@nielsen.com 

ASAE Records Double-Digit Growth in Attendance 

Dallas, TX – More than 6,000 association 

professionals and industry suppliers 

gathered at the 2012 ASAE Annual 

Meeting & Exposition, held August 11-14, 

at the Dallas Convention Center. Total 

attendance in 2012 was 6,010 — an 11% 

increase over last year when the event 

drew 5,368 industry professionals to 

St. Louis. The event featured more than 

120 education sessions and numerous 

networking events, and offered seven 

hours of time to visit the exhibits. 

“We had our largest attendance since 

Chicago (in 2007), and this illustrates 

the value of face-to-face meetings,” said 

ASAE President & CEO John Graham IV, 

CAE. “It was a fantastic meeting with the 

different learning sessions and speakers, 

and buzz from the meeting was extremely 

positive. I’m very proud of the association 

community because they not only took 

part in learning, but they also donated 

time and money that will make a lasting 

impact on the Dallas community.” 

Session Highlights 

At the Opening General Session, 

Democratic Strategist James Carville and 

Republican Strategist Karl Rove discussed 

the recently named Republican vice presidential 

candidate Paul Ryan as well as the 

major issues facing the country. Michelle 

Bernard, political analyst for MSNBC, 

moderated the lively debate. Immediately 

following the session, Carville and Rove 

took part in a brief Q&A that was exclusive 

to attendees who donated $500 or more to 

support APAC and the ASAE Foundation. 

Learning Lab sessions focused on a 

variety of topics, from “Make the Case for 

Better Pricing” and “The Strategic Impact 

of Digital Events on Meetings,” to “Creating 

a Customized Conference Experience” 

and “The Future of Trade Shows.” 

At the session, “Benchmarking and Assessment: 

Compensation, Operations and 

Governance,” ASAE released the results 

of the Operating Ratio Report. Among trade 

associations, the top non-dues revenue 

sources include: meeting/convention registration 

fees (10.4%); exhibit/trade show 

booth fees (9.7%); meeting sponsorship 

revenue (4.6%); and educational program 

fees (4.5%). Among individual membership 

organization, the top non-dues 

revenue sources include: meeting/convention 

registration fees (12.5%); educational 

program fees (7.5%); and exhibit/trade 

show booth fees (6.0%). 

In addition, the meeting featured some 

unique formats. For example, the “Wisdom 

While You Walk” session paired 

participants and sent them for a 45- 

minute stroll to discuss a topic or issue 

of their choice. During the “Project 

Runway: Are Your Leadership Practices 

Cutting-Edge, In, Classic or So Last Year?” 

session, leadership experts served as 

models and panelists to show examples of 

different management styles and the best 

situa-tions for them to be implemented. 

Giving Back 

ASAE attendees raised $61,442 for 

the North Texas Food Bank, as part of 

ASAE’s annual Community Connection 

project. The donation provided meals 

for 12,288 children. Money was raised 

through its Community Connection 

project, Dallas Double Take Tours, 5K 

Walk/Run and Fun, Dallas CVB, ASAE 

Foundation, companies and attendees. 

All money collected benefited the Food 

4 Kids backpack program. 

ASAE and American Forests will plant 

a tree for every person who participated 

in the meeting, which will be more than 


6,000 trees in the state of Texas. This effort, 

part of American Forests’ new Meeting 

ReLeaf program, offsets the carbon 

footprint of the meeting and augmented 

ASAE’s broader sustainability efforts. 

The ASAE Foundation raised more 

than $330,000 through gifts and different 

events, including the 1,889 Golf & Tennis 

Classic attendees at Cowboys Golf Club. 

Networking On & Off the Floor 

The exhibit hall featured 408 companies 

in 71,600 nsf of exhibit space. The ratio at 

the expo hall was 60% buyers (association 

staff) to 40% sellers (industry partners), 

according to ASAE. In addition, ASAE 

offered the Business Connection Lounge, 

located near the entrance to the expo hall. 

To use the lounge, attendees made an appointment 

at the online Registration Service 

Center or were escorted by exhibitors. 

The Online Communications and Engagement 

Lounge hosted several discussions 

and networking opportunities throughout 

the conference. Attendees could charge 

up their devices and discuss topics such 

as content, collaboration and mobile. 

The enhanced Innovation Lounge 

offered attendees a place to share stories, 

ask questions, discuss challenges, relax, 

play games, enjoy facilitated discussions 

and test their innovative ideas. The lounge 

featured a number of sessions, including 

“The Thinkubator,” “30-Minute Business 

Models” on Apple, Google, Kickstarter, 

Amazon, Facebook and LinkedIn; and “Do 

You Have a Winnovative Idea?” Sam Horn, 

author of POP! Create the Perfect Pitch, Title, 

and Tagline for Anything, led two interactive 

sessions on how to win buy-in from 

decision-makers in 60 seconds or less. 

During the Closing General Session, 

Dan Pink, best-selling author of Drive 

and A Whole New Mind, discussed his 

soon-to-be released book, tentatively 

titled, The Moving Business. “Most association 

executives don’t think they work in 

sales,” said Pink. “But everyone does. 

We spend the majority of our days 

trying to move others.” 

Joseph McGuire, CAE, president of the 

Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, 

and Arlene Pietranton, Ph.D., 

FASAE, CAE, chief executive officer of 

the American Speech-Language-Hearing 

Association, officially assumed leadership 

roles on the ASAE board. Beginning September 

1, McGuire will serve as chairman 

of the ASAE Board, and Pietranton will 

become chairman-elect and chairman 

of the ASAE Foundation Board. 

The 2013 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition 

will be held August 3-6 in Atlanta. 

Reach John Graham at (202) 626-2741 

or jgraham@asaecenter.org 

ASAE Photos by Chuck Fazio Photography 

Politically Correct. At the Opening General Session, 

Michelle Bernard, political analyst for MSNBC, 

moderated a lively debate between Democratic 

Strategist James Carville (top) and Republican 

Strategist Karl Rove (bottom). 


INTERNATIONAL 

CHINA 

Reed Fuels Growth at 

Shanghai Retail Show 

Shanghai – The long-running Chinese 

department store exhibition CDATF 

reported a growth spurt in its first edition 

since it announced a partnership agreement 

with a division of Reed Exhibitions. 

Reed Huabo Exhibitions, part of Reed 

Exhibitions China, joined CCAGM Exhibition 

(Beijing) Holdings for the 106th 

edition of CDATF and was credited with 

growing the show by nearly one-third 

over the previous year. 

The August 2-4 show hosted 22,608 

attendees and grew to 90,000 net square 

meters (968,752 net square feet) at the 

Shanghai New International Expo Center. 

The organizers said the exhibit space 

was about 30% larger than last year. 

“Reed was able to lend its expertise in 

sales and marketing to raise the profile of the 

event and attract a greater number of high 

quality participants,” said Preecha Chen, 

president of Reed Exhibitions Greater China. 

Reach Preecha at +86-10-5933 9000 or 

pchen@ @reedexpo.com.cn 

SINGAPORE 

SINGEX Event 

Management 

Building Momentum 

Singapore – One of the most active trade 

show management companies operating 

at Singapore’s Singex continues to be Singex 

itself. The Meetings, Incentives, Conferences 

and Exhibitions (MICE) management 

team at the convention center this Summer 

added a number of partnerships with 

international trade show organizers to their 

portfolio and their growing reputation 

as a one-stop partner in the Asia market. 

“Singex is committed to the development 

of specialized and emerging industry events 

as well as long‐term partnerships with organizers 

looking to enter or expand in Asia,” 

said Singex CEO Aloysius Arlando. 

Arlando announced that its Singex 

Exhibition Ventures Pte Ltd branch was 

partnering with the European organizers 

of Tank Storage Asia and ReHab Tech 

Asia, which serve completely different 

industry sectors but have had the busy 

Bilingual NFC Badges 

Come to China 

Shanghai – Mobile Asia Expo was the forum 

for the introduction of the trade show 

industry’s first bilingual near field communication 

(NFC) paper name badge. 

ITN International of the U.S. created 

the cutting-edge badges, which were 

issued to more than 15,000 attendees 

at the Shanghai exhibition in June. 

“This is a breakthrough for any show 

organizer or event planner that holds 

international events,” said Ivan Lazarev, 

president & CEO of ITN. 

ITN employed the UTF-8 international 

script-coding standard to produce a badge 

that accommodates both western letters 

and Asian characters. The NFC badge 

was encoded in both Chinese and English. 

The badge served to control attendee 

access to the conference and also contained 

the coding that allowed exhibitors 

to scan the badges of prospective customers 

using NFC-capable smart phones. 

Reach Ivan at (801) 676-7910 or 

ilazarev@itn-international.com 

southern Asia market in common. 

Both Tank Expo Asia and ReHab Tech 

Asia, which is co-organized by Italy’s 

Fiera Milano, were launched a few years 

ago. "With such strong support from 

Singapore's public agencies and trade 

associations, we believe that RehabTech 

Asia will allow for meaningful discussions 

among healthcare and medical 

professionals across various disciplines,” 

said Chandran Nair, general manager 

of Singex Exhibition Ventures. 

Reach Aloysius Arlando at +65 6403 2160 or 

aloysius.arlando@singaporeexpo.com.sg; Matt 

Benyon at +44 (0)20 88 43 88 00 or uk@ 

easyfairs.com; Chandran Nair at +65 6403 

2160 or chandran@singaporeexpo.com.sg 

Messe Dusseldorf 

Partners Medical 

Show with Charity 

Singapore – Messe Dusseldorf Asia has 

made its Singapore trade show MEDICAL 

SOUTH KOREA 

More Hotels Top Priority 

for MICE Promoters 

Seoul – The new head of the Seoul Tourism 

Organization (STO) announced that 

the exhibition infrastructure in the South 

Korean capital was poised for an expansion 

that will accommodate a boom in 

international visitors. 

In July, Sung-Real Lee was named CEO 

and president of the organization and said 

one of his top priorities would be expanding 

the hotel inventory with an emphasis 

on international business travelers. “As the 

city is set to host a record number of 10 

million international visitors this year, 

it is essential for Seoul to continue expanding 

the number of hotel rooms,” he 

said in a speech to the Seoul MICE Forum. 

“The meetings industry is a key service 

industry that will lead the way in 

the knowledge-oriented economy of the 

future,” added Lee, who headed up the 

finance and project development divisions 

of Hyundai before joining the STO. 

Reach Sung-Real Lee at +82-2-3788-0821 

or mice@seoulwelcome.com 

FAIR AISA 2012 a benefactor of Metta 

Hospice Care, a non-profit that provides 

free hospice care to Singapore residents. 

Under the partnership announced this 

Summer, Messe Dusseldorf Asia will 

seek not only monetary contributions 

from show participants, but also accept 

donations of medical products from 

the show that will be put to good use 

by Metta Hospice Care. 

“We are confident that exhibitors 

and visitors will join us in this effort 

and are pleased to announce that Messe 

Düsseldorf Asia will donate $1 for every 

visitor to MEDICAL FAIR ASIA 2012, 

which is expected to attract a strong 

crowd of 10,000 trade visitors,” said 

Gernot Ringling, managing director 

of Messe Dusseldorf Asia. 

Each dollar raised at the September 

12-14 show at Suntec was matched by 

the Singapore government. 

Reach Gernot at (65) 6332 9624 or 

gernot@mda.com.sg 


Discuss, Debate, Discover 

at Trade Show Executive’s 

Gold 100 Awards & Summit 

Come celebrate the success of the 100 largest trade shows in 

the United States and join in the high-level dialogue, debate 

and networking which are the hallmarks of the event. 

Trade Show Executive’s Gold 100 Awards & Summit will 

gather the sharpest minds in the industry for open and frank 

discussions about the burning issues plaguing our industry 

and the best new ideas for driving our business forward. 

Please join us in October to celebrate the people, 

the shows and the organizations that set the 

GOLD STANDARD for the trade show industry. 

October 3-5, 2012 

The Ritz-Carlton • Washington, DC 

Keynote 

Trending & Spending 

Power Lunch 

Burning Issues 

Scott McKain 

CEO, McKain 

Performance 

Group, Inc. 

Frank Chow 

Chief Economist, 

TSE Media Group 

Darlene Gudea 

President, TSE 

Media Group 

Chris Brown 

Executive VP, 

National Assn. 

of Broadcasters 

David Ingemie 

President, 

SnowSports 

Industries America 

Bob Dallmeyer 

TSE Columnist 

Gary Shapiro 

President & 

CEO, Consumer 

Electronics Assn. 

New Business Models 

And the Winner Is... 

Bill Carteaux 

President & CEO, 

SPI: The Plastics 

Industry Trade Assn. 

Gene Sanders 

Senior VP, 

SPI: The Plastics 

Industry Trade Assn. 

Nancy Walsh 

Executive VP, 

Reed Exhibitions 

Jochen Witt 

President & CEO 

JWC, Cologne, 

Germany 

Register at www.TradeShowExecutive.com/Gold Gala 

What if Your Show is Not Among the Gold 100? 

There is a limited number of registrations available to senior-level executives 

of other leading shows. Apply at www.TradeShowExecutive.com/Gold Gala

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TRENDING & SPENDING 

SPONSORED BY 

Hundreds of Major Government 

Regulations are Winding 

Through the Pipeline, 

Weakening an Anemic Recovery 

BY DARLENE GUDEA, president 

Oceanside, CA – With the jobs market 

coming to a crawl and the U.S. economy 

barely able to hold on to its recovery status, 

critics are questioning whether escalating 

regulations the past three years are 

beginning to stifle the economy. Recent 

surveys reveal that most Americans think 

businesses and consumers are faced with 

too many regulations. Moreover, next 

year, new major regulations are expected 

to accelerate with more rules slated to 

implement Obamacare and the Dodd- 

Frank Law. For us trade show executives, 

the new regulations have the potential 

to radically increase the cost and complexity 

of our business, especially those 

caught unaware. 

“Historically, America meant the 

home of laissez-faire and the freedom 

to choose,” said Frank Chow, chief 

economist for Trade Show Executive 

Media Group. “Recently, we have been 

straying from this ideal and the perception 

is widespread.” A Gallup poll found 

that the most important problem facing 

small business owners is "complying with 

government regulations" and also that 

46% of the owners who are not hiring 

are worried about new regulations. In 

December 2011, the National Federation 

of Independent Business reported that 

small businesses say government regulations 

are the top problem facing their 

business. That issue received the greatest 

response, ahead of poor sales and taxes. 

So how many new regulations have 

there been? A new report from the Heritage 

Foundation, Red Tape Rising by James 

Gattuso and Diane Katz, shows that the 

current Administration has been on a 

rule-making tear. In President Obama’s 

first three years (2009-2011) 10,215 regulations 

were approved, including 106 new 

major regulations at a cost of more than 

$46 billion annually, and nearly $11 billion 

in one-time implementation costs. 

Chow noted that before any new rule 

can take effect, it must be published in 

the Federal Register, the official daily 

chronicle of regulatory changes. In 2009, 

the Federal Register was 68,598 pages 

long. In 2011, the number of pages hit 

82,415, a new record. This year’s edition 

as of July was almost 42,000 pages. 

For this year, the most recent Unified 

Agenda, a semi-annual compendium 

of planned regulatory actions reported 

by agencies, lists 2,576 more rules in the 

pipeline. Of these, 133 of the rulemakings 

are classified as major, an increase 

of more than 137% from a decade ago. 

The largest proportion — 505 rulemakings 

— will issue hundreds of rules 

under the massive Dodd-Frank statute. 

The Environmental Protection Agency 

is responsible for 174 others, while 133 

are from the Department of Health 

and Human Services, mostly for the 

regulatory requirements of Obamacare. 

“This only begins to show the pervasive 

impact of regulation on the economy,” 

said Chow. According to the Regulatory 

Studies Center at George Washington 

University, the number of federal regulatory 

officials grew 66% from 2000-2012, 

and their budgets grew 75% after adjusting 

for inflation. Over the same period, 

the U.S. population grew only 14% and 

the number of U.S. jobs grew a measly 

4%. The Small Business Administration 

(SBA) says complying with federal regulations 

alone costs $1.7 trillion annually. 

“That's about half of the federal budget 

and nearly 12% of GDP — think deeply 

about that for a moment,” urged Chow. 

Moreover, the SBA says that federal 


Trending & Spending 

Economic Forecast 

MONTH, QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 

Reforecasting revenue targets are a 

common exercise these days for senior 

executives as business conditions 

change rapidly, sometimes for the better, 

sometimes for the worse. Volatility 

in the economy, geo-political developments, 

competition, infl ation and many 

other factors can wreak havoc with 

assumptions made a month, quarter or 

a year ago. Unbiased, reliable data — 

whether positive or negative — is the 

foundation of solid business planning. 

Trade Show Executive Magazine’s 

Trending & Spending Forecast aggregates 

information from numerous 

sources: government and business reports; 

interviews with industry experts 

and economists; and the TSE monthly 

poll of its 20-member Economic Forecasting 

Board. Here is their forecast 

for the month, Q3 and 2012 Full Year: 

November 

2012 FORECAST 

% 

2.3 

% 

2.1 

% 

2.6 

NET SF EXHIBITORS ATTENDEES 

4th Quarter 

2012 FORECAST 

% 

3.1 

% 

3.8 

% 

3.6 


Full Year 

2012 FORECAST 

% 

3.7 

% 

3.5 

% 

4.2 


$ REVENUE = 5.0 % 

© 2012, Trade Show Executive Magazine, Oceanside, CA (760) 630-9105 

= 

= 

= 



SPONSORED BY 


regulations cost on average $10,000 per 

employee. “And those are just federal 

regulations,” Chow pointed out. “State 

and local regulations often add dramatically 

to those costs.” 

Rulemaking related to the controversial 

Obamacare encompasses more than 150 

federal agencies and commissions, and 

borders on overkill, Chow said. The rules 

are changing faster than regulators can 

write them: administrators have granted 

over 2,000 waivers to the new health care 

regulations, while the required long-term 

care insurance plan has been declared 

unworkable. Every hour spent treating 

a patient creates at least 30 minutes of 

paperwork, and often a whole hour. “Next 

year, the number of mandated categories 

of illness and injury for which hospitals 

can claim reimbursement will rise from 

18,000 to 140,000,” Chow said. “There are 

nine codes relating to injuries caused by 

parrots, and three from burns caused by 

flaming water skis.” The law is estimated 

to result in at least $17.1 billion in regulations 

imposed on the private sector and 

$7.2 billion in compliance costs borne 

by the states. 

Gattuso and Katz write that this tide of 

regulation isn’t going to end any time soon 

thanks to the new regulations expected under 

the Dodd-Frank, Obamacare, and the 

EPA’s carbon emissions-cutting crusade. 

These regulations, they say, are a threat 

to America’s already weak economy. Only 

224 of Dodd-Frank’s 400 rules have been 

written, but already consume 7,365 pages. 

It will take job creators 24.2 million hours 

every year just to comply with the first half 

of Dodd-Frank regulations. By contrast, 

the establishment of America’s banking 

system in 1864 took 29 pages; the Federal 

Reserve Act of 1913 needed 32 pages; the 

Glass-Steagall Act filled 37 pages. 

Chow offered a sample of potential 

federal rule changes that may impact 

trade shows this year and into 2013: 

• Money market and municipal bond 

market overhaul and disclosures; 

• Tighter restrictions on proprietary 

trading and investments in hedge funds 

and private equity via the Volker Rule; 

• Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act’s 

(FATCA) implementation of new stringent 

IRS rules regarding Americans doing 

business overseas. Several high-profile 

Americans have relinquished their citizenship 

due to FATCA’s excessive regulations. 

• Reinterpretation of underlying immigration 

regulations used by business to 

transfer foreign nationals with specialized 

or technical knowledge into the U.S.; 

• More stringent energy conservation 

standards imposed by the Department 

of Energy. The mandatory standards 

will increase regulatory costs by an 

estimated $2.4 billion annually. 

New Laws Adding 

Complexity and High Costs 

In much the same way that high taxes 

undermine the economy, these escalating 

costs of regulation translate into fewer 

jobs, Chow pointed out. “Don’t get me 

wrong. Every free economy needs good 

regulations and enforcement to run efficiently 

and create a level playing field,” 

Chow said. “However, post-crisis laws 

and rules seem to be adding a staggering 

amount of complexity and costs that may 

threaten to bring the gears of the economy 

to a halt. The intent may be noble like 

trying to prevent another financial crisis, 

but we need regulations that are simpler, 

do not create an undue burden, and 

reflect technological advances in business 

operations. We desperately need to 

go in a better direction,” he said. 

“There has been recent recognition 

in Washington, DC that regulations 

need to be trimmed,” said Chow. “This 

may be just election year pandering, but 

anything helps,” he said. In April, the 

rare bipartisan Jumpstart Our Business 

Startups (JOBS) Act was signed by the 

President. It is aimed at helping small 

businesses and startups raise capital by 

loosening various Securities and Exchange 

Commission regulations. Since 

Sarbanes-Oxley passed, most start-ups 

have fled the U.S. to list on stock exchanges 

overseas. “Hopefully, the JOBS 

Act will reverse this trend,” said Chow. 

Moreover, the Obama administration 

had disclosed plans back in August 2011 

to cut or roll back hundreds of federal 

regulations that are projected to save 

businesses up to $10 billion over the next 

five years and boost job growth, including 

faster visas for foreign visitors! 


Sector Performance 

BEST PERFORMING SECTORS 

• Apparel 

• Automotive 

• Security 

• Business Services 

MIXED PERFORMANCE 

• Communications 

• Manufacturing 

• Medical 

SECTORS UNDER PRESSURE 

• Government 

• Housing 

• Technology 

• Hospitality 

• Transportation 

• Retail 

• Food 

Economic Indicators 

• Construction 

• Home Furnishings 

Consumer Confidence dropped (4.8) percentage 

points to 60.6, the lowest level since November 2011, 

according to The Conference Board. Apprehension 

about job prospects drove confi dence down. 

Core Inflation, which omits volatile food and energy 

prices, was minimal, dropping (0.1) percentage 

points in July to 2.1%. 

Corporate Earnings for the S&P 500 companies 

were surprisingly robust in Q2. The country’s largest 

publicly traded companies reported their earnings 

rose 8.4% over 2011 levels. 

Employment increased by 163,000 from June 

to July on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 

a revised 151,000 in June. It remained well below 

the 252,000 average from December to February. 

Gross Domestic Product grew at an annual rate of 

1.5% from April to June, down signifi cantly from 2% 

in Q1, according to the Commerce Department. 

Housing Starts for single-family homes, which 

account for more than 70% of new residential 

construction, dropped (6.5)% in July after rising four 

straight months to a two-year high of 760,000. 

Industrial Production increased 0.6% in July 

fueled by production of automotive products and 

durable consumer goods. 

Interest Rates (short term) remained near 0% 

in August, maintaining the ultra-low level set in 

December 2008. 

The Leading Economic Index, a weighted gauge 

of 10 economic indicators that helps predict the 

future direction of the economy, zigzagged back up 

0.4% in July, following a (0.4)% drop in June and 

a 0.4% increase in May that came after a (0.1)% 

decline in April. 

Manufacturing in the U.S. unexpectedly shrank 

(0.2) points in August to 49.6, the lowest level in 

three years, according to The Institute for Supply 

Management’s ISM Index. A reading below 50 

signals a contraction. 

Retail Sales grew 0.8%, the highest growth 

in fi ve months, reversing a decline that ran three 

straight months. 

The Unemployment rate ticked up one-tenth 

of a percentage point to 8.3% in August. 



SPONSORED BY 

An Insider’s Perspective 

How is the economy impacting the 

exposition industry? This month, seven 

industry experts give you projections and 

early warning signs based on registration 

patterns, exhibit space commitments, 

long- and short-term bookings, and 

discussions with peers and customers. 

Together with the rest of TSE’s Exposition 

Forecasting Board, they have insider 

knowledge about the true performance 

of the majority of U.S. trade shows. 

And just like economists, they don’t 

always agree. Their diverse opinions, 

however, provide valuable insights 

to help you formulate your plans. 

Frank Chow, 

CHIEF ECONOMIST 


Media Group 

Trade Shows Will Feel the Sting 

of the Investment Slowdown 

“Because business investment has 

slowed dramatically in the Third 

Quarter, trade show executives 

may need to adjust their tactics in 

responding to a more cautious and 

uncertain business environment as 

we head towards the end of the year.” 

Reversing a Downward 

Trend will be Challenging 

“Growth in attendance and net sf 

will continue to be a challenge for 

show managers as the year winds to 

a close. Both indexes have been trending 

downward since April after reaching 

a high not seen in 12 months.” 

Darlene Gudea, 

PRESIDENT 


Media Group 

Nancy Walsh 

EXECUTIVE VP 

Reed Exhibitions 

James Rooney 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

Mass. Convention 

Center Authority 

Prepare for Increased Food Prices at 

Restaurants, Hotels and Convention Centers 

“Consumer sentiment and confidence is affected by their everyday experiences 

like filling the gas tank and food shopping. The second and third largest consumer 

expenses (after housing) are transportation and food, and these costs are rising. Gas 

prices have risen 13% since the beginning of July. The worst drought in 50 years in 

the U.S. will drive food prices up by a projected 4% over the next nine months (beef 

will be even higher). While this is going on, unemployment remains at about 8%. 

Consumers will stay worried and that will make consumer spending a less likely solution 

to our economic malaise and affect discretionary behavior such as travel and attendance at events. 

“Watch the weather in the Summer of 2013 to see if the increase in food prices is just a blip. If there's 

another drought, prices will increase further. Also watch for the effect this has on the price of food in 

restaurants, hotels and convention centers. Most are trying to hold the line and take smaller margins 

in the short term but they can’t do it for too long. Their supply costs (food and fuel) are going up.” 

Aaron Bludworth 

COO 

Fern Exposition 

Event Services 

2012 Will End Up as a Good Year for Exhibitions 

“Although growth has slowed in the last couple of quarters, it still exists and is stronger 

than I anticipated. I do believe we are now seeing a slight slowdown in growth 

due primarily to unanswered political questions: the election, the 'fiscal cliff,' and to 

a decreasing degree, the European economic situation. Republican policies are better 

for business, especially small businesses, and exhibitions will see a boost if Romney is 

elected, a larger boost if the Senate changes to a Republican majority, and a prolonged 

pause if not a decline if there is not a change in the White House or the Senate. Either 

way, until there is reason to believe that there are real solutions being considered to reduce 

the debt (and eventual tax burden) and unemployment drops to a number that can sustain a growing 

population, there is reason to be cautious. All considered, exhibitions have had a great year in 2012.” 

David Loechner 

PRESIDENT 

Nielsen Expositions 


SPONSORED BY 


Skip Cox 

PRESIDENT & CEO 

Exhibit Surveys 

Shura Garnett 

REGIONAL VP 

Global Spectrum 

Joseph V. 

Popolo, Jr. 

CEO 

Freeman 

Steve Carey 

DEPUTY EXECUTIVE 

DIRECTOR 

National Truck 

Equipment Association 

Attendance Growth is 

Driving Net SF Increases 

“We continue to see shows 

at many of our venues with 

increased attendance which 

appears to be driving a slight 

increase in space needs as 

exhibitors look to expand.” 

Chris Brown 

EXECUTIVE VP 

National Association 

of Broadcasters 

Chris Meyer 

VP OF SALES 

Las Vegas Convention 

& Visitors Authority 

Red Tape Reduction Act 

Will Boost the Economy 

The House of Representatives passed 

the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business 

Job Creation Act (H.R. 4078) in late 

July, which will freeze “economically 

significant” regulations that harm the 

economy until unemployment falls to 6% 

or below. According to one estimate, that 

would save $22.1 billion and 2.6 million 

paperwork hours annually, said Chow. 

Two other major provisions include 

shortening the permitting process for 

new construction projects and providing 

oversight of the regulatory powers of federal 

agencies. One survey found that some 

350 energy projects were stalled because 

of red tape that, if expedited, could have 

generated nearly 2 million construction 

jobs plus $145 billion in economic activity. 

Many of the provisions enjoy bipartisan 

support. The bill now goes to the Senate. 

Let’s hope this newfound cooperation 

continues after the election. TSE 

Pat Fallon 

VP OF BUSINESS 

DEVELOPMENT 

CompuSystems, Inc. 

Eight Quarters of Strength 

“We continue to see steady, solid 

exhibition growth. This pattern 

has remained strong for eight 

quarters. Small exhibitors are 

coming back and large exhibitors 

are taking more space. I’m bullish 

about trade show growth as a result 

of the trends we are seeing.” 

Steve Moster 

PRESIDENT 

Global Experience 

Specialists (GES) 

T&S Forecasting Board 

on the Road Again 

Come celebrate the success of the 100 

largest trade shows in the United States and 

meet the members of the TSE Exposition 

Forecasting Board as they bring you upto-date 

forecasts and trends at Trade Show 

Executive’s 5th Annual 

Gold 100 Awards & 

Summit, October 3-5, 

The Ritz-Carlton, 

Washington, DC. 

Gregg Caren 

SENIOR VP, 

STRATEGIC BUS. 

SMG 

Show Organizers in Growth Mode 

“After surveying major market venues including Moscone 

Center and McCormick Place, corporate events are definitely 

back in a strong way, and attendance records are being set 

at major medical and scientific events. Trade shows in more 

product-oriented sectors are setting floor space records. 

In sidebar conversations at SISO, key players were seeking 

new markets for existing shows. There was not as much talk 

about show launches, but organizers large and small appear 

to be in growth mode. This is good for all sectors.” 

Terence Donnelly 

VP OF SALES 

Experient 

Jack Chalden 

ASSOCIATE 

The Augusta Group 


TSE DASHBOARD 

SPONSORED BY 

Exhibit Space Growth Stalls in July 

BY DARLENE GUDEA, president; CAROL ANDREWS, editor-at-large, and HIL ANDERSON, senior editor 

Oceanside, CA – The modest growth in 

exhibit space seen earlier in the Summer 

stalled out completely in July and even 

backtracked slightly. 

Exhibit space for the 22 shows included 

in the Trade Show Executive (TSE) Monthly 

Dashboard of Trade Show Metrics dipped 

(0.3)% compared to the previous July 

even though there was a slight increase 

in the number of exhibitors and attendees 

of 2.3% and 2.1% respectively. 

A total of 22 shows held in July were 

surveyed for the Dashboard. The largest 

was the Atlanta International Gift & Home 

Furnishings Market, which saw its exhibit 

space step up a solid 5% to 284,396 net 

square feet (nsf). 

Four shows were excluded from the 

adjusted totals for the Dashboard metrics. 

Two events — The International AIDS Conference 

and World Congress on High-Speed 

Rail — were removed for adjusted totals 

because they are biennial. Firehouse Expo 

management did not report its attedance 

and the Destination Marketing Association 

International (DMAI) Annual Convention 

happily achieved exhibit space growth 

of more than 50% but was thus considered 

an outlier and excluded from the 

growth analysis. 

The adjusted totals for July worked out to 

1,753,063 nsf of exhibit space, 8,640 exhibitors 

and 230,405 attendees who made the 

mid-Summer journey to mercifully airconditioned 

convention centers from Philadelphia 

to Honolulu. The numbers boiled 

down to a per-show average of 97,392 nsf, 

480 exhibitors and 12,800 attendees. 

Six of the Dashboard shows had exhibit 

space of 100,000 nsf or more, and three 

were large enough to be on the TSE Gold 

100 rankings of largest U.S. trade shows. 

The Conference for the Advancement of 

Mathematics Teaching was on the TSE 

Fastest 50 list. 

Ten of the 22 Dashboard shows reported 

gains or no change in all three metrics and 

three were down in all three categories. 

Gift Race Horse 

The largest show of the month rode the 

continued strength of the U.S. retail sector 

and the beginning of the run-up to 

the holiday shopping season. 

The Atlanta International Gift & Home 

Furnishings Market – July grew 5.0% to 

284,396 nsf and exhibitors increased 4.6% 

to 1,743. Attendance, however, dipped a 

slight (0.8)% to 91,267, which was still well 

above the per-show average for the month. 

The Market is a mix of permanent exhibitors 

and visiting vendors who contract 

temporary space in the AmericasMart 

building. AMC, Inc. said it honored 29 

of its permanent tenants and 18 temporary 

exhibitors with its Visual Display Awards. 

It also increased sales in both its Made in 

the USA and Global Designs product areas. 

Growth Leaders 

Meanwhile, the DMAI Annual Convention 

in Seattle grew sharply this year with a 

record crowd of 1,310 and a 67.9% jump 

in exhibit space to 14,100 nsf. 

The spike in floor space consigned the 

event to outlier status for the purposes 

of the Dashboard adjusted totals, but the 


Christmas in July. The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market kept 

on giving with a 5% increase in exhibit space. The show was the biggest Dashboard 

event of the month. 



Dashboard Snapshot – JULY TRADE SHOW METRICS 

SPONSORED BY 

10% 

MONTHLY OVERVIEW: NET SQUARE FEET 

10% 

CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY OVERVIEW 

Attendees 

5% 

5% 

0% 

0% 

Exhibitors 

NSF 

(0.3)% 

(5)% 

(5)% 

(10)% 

(10)% 

(15)% 

(15)% 

(20)% 

(20)% 

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL 

2010 2011 

2012 

Q1 

2010 

Q2 

2010 

Q3 

2010 

Q4 

2010 

Q1 

2011 

Q2 

2011 

Q3 

2011 

Q4 

2011 

Q1 

2012 

Q2 

2012 

10% 

5% 

MONTHLY OVERVIEW: EXHIBITORS 

2.3% 

p Second Quarter. Upward momentum continued 

through the Second Quarter of 2012 despite a fairly fl at 

month in June. Attendance showed the most improvement 

with a 4.6% growth for Q2. 

0% 

10% 

CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL OVERVIEW 

(5)% 

(10)% 

(15)% 

5% 

0% 

(5)% 

Exhibitors 

NSF 

Attendees 

(20)% 


2010 2011 

2012 

(10)% 

10% 

MONTHLY OVERVIEW: ATTENDEES 

(15)% 

(20)% 

5% 

0% 

(5)% 

(10)% 

(15)% 

2.1% 

2010 2011 

p Onward and Upward. The year 2011 as a whole 

showed a more defi nite direction with all three metrics 

on the upswing. Although growth was modest at best, 

it was indeed growth at a time when the trend was 

expected to be slow. 

t Flat Floor. Exhibit space slipped into the red in July 

as the Summer swoon continued. The bright spot this 

year has been attendance, which grew more than 2% 

for the month as did the number of exhibitors. 

(20)% 


2010 2011 

2012 


The largest show of the month rode the continued strength of the U.S. 

retail sector and the beginning of the run-up to the holiday shopping 

season. The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market grew 

5.0% to 284,396 nsf and exhibitors increased 4.6% to 1,743. 


TSE DASHBOARD 

SPONSORED BY 


organizers were not complaining. The 

increases were credited to a new push 

for members and the sounding out of 

prospective attendees on the educational 

topics they wanted to see covered. 

“We looked in and out of our industry 

for experts offering fresh and innovative 

insights on today’s most impactful trends 

and issues,” said Michael Gehrisch, 

DMAI president & CEO. “Enabling prospective 

attendees and industry thought 

leaders to submit proposals for potential 

education sessions produced not only 

exceptionally relevant education, but 

also revealed critical trends impacting 

the destination marketing industry.” 

The topics deemed the most interesting 

to destination marketers included 

increasing the role they play in bringing 

groups to their towns, ROI measurement, 

and how to increase international travel. 

Also showing strength this year was 

HydroVision International, a PennWell Corporation 

event for the hydroelectric niche 

market. The exhibition and conference in 

Louisville experienced a (22.2)% drop in 

attendance compared to the 2011 event in 

Sacramento despite bringing in attendees 

from 40 nations. On the plus side, exhibit 

space was up 10.4% to 45,600 nsf and the 

exhibitor count grew 5.2% to 325. 

The 2013 show will return to moremountainous 

terrain in Denver, which is 

closer to the western U.S. states where hydroelectric 

power is more commonly used. 

Also on the upswing was the Associated 

Locksmiths of America (ALOA) Convention 

& Security Expo, which moved this year 

to Las Vegas and saw its attendance 

grow 25.6% to 2,750 and exhibit space 

increase 12.5% to 45,000 nsf. 

Reeling In the Crowds 

The American Sport Fishing Association 

(ASFA) reported solid gains at the International 

Convention of Allied Sportfishing 

Trades (ICAST). Exhibit space increased 

5.6% to 134,100 nsf and the number of 

exhibitors increased 7.0% as the show 

returned to fishing hotbed Florida for 

the first time since 2009. Attendance 

bounced up 27.2% to 8,800. 

Location was only part of the overall 

performance, said ASFA President and 

CEO Mike Nussman. “It is very important 

to us that we create the show that the 

industry wants,” he said. “Based on their 

input, we expanded the business seminars, 

improved our attendee promotion, 

and also simplified the show hours.” 

Cosmoprof North America also had a 

beauty of a show in Las Vegas this Summer. 

The Gold 100 event grew 4.5% to 

198,271 nsf and saw the number of exhibitors 

increase 12.3% and attendance 9.0%. 

“Our goal is to advance the beauty industry 

as a whole, and it's wonderful to see 

that Cosmoprof North America is truly at 

the forefront of doing so," said Marketing 

Director Daniela Ciocan, marketing director 

at North American Beauty Events. 

Top Cities 

Atlanta took the top spot as the city with 

the most exhibit space in July. The Atlanta 

International Gift & Home Furnishings 

Market - July and its 284,396 nsf was all 

that was needed to boost Atlanta ahead of 

Orlando, which hosted three shows totaling 

264,600 nsf. Las Vegas was also in the 

money at No. 3 with Cosmoprof and the 

ALOA convention covering 243,271 nsf. 

Next Month 

Summer wound down with the Republican 

National Convention, which took place in 

Tampa with plenty of media attention, but 

not much in the way of exhibit space. VM- 

World in San Francisco was among the 

larger pure trade shows in August while 

associations, such as the American Legion 

and Islamic Society of North America, 

drew a fair number of exhibitors. TSE 

Glamorous Gathering. Cosmoprof North America offered proof that 

the beauty industry is alive and well. Attendance in Las Vegas was up 

9% and fl oor space neared 200,000 nsf. 

No Fish Tale. The ICAST sportfi shing show was the biggest in its history with a 

whopping 27.2% boost in attendance. The Florida venue helped as did changes 

to show hours and the expanded seminar program. 



Dashboard – MONTHLY TRADE SHOW METRICS 

SPONSORED BY 

BY CAROL ANDREWS, 

editor-at-large 

TOP MGMTS* 

• AMC, Inc. 

• American Assn. for 

Clinical Chemistry 

• North American 

Beauty Events 

TOP CITIES* 

• Atlanta 

• Orlando 

• Las Vegas 

*Based on total nsf 

GROWTH LEADERS 

• DMAI 

• ALOA 

• HydroVision Intl. 

TOP INDUSTRY 

SECTORS* 

• Gift 

• Retail 

• Medical 

BENCHMARKS: 

AVERAGE GROWTH 

• NSF: (0.3)% 

• Exhibitors: 2.3% 

• Attendance: 2.1% 

July 2012 Show Site Net SF of Exhibits Exhibitors Total Attendance Qualitative Data 

SHOW INFORMATION 2012/2011 2012/2011 VARIANCE 2012/2011 VARIANCE 2012/2011 VARIANCE 2012 VS. 2011 

AACC Clinical Lab Expo Los Angeles 206,500 0.2% 696 0.9% 20,175 15.1% The 2012 show was the largest ever 

American Association Atlanta 206,000 690 17,532 in terms of net square feet of exhibit 

for Clinical Chemistry 

space and number of exhibiting comwww.aacc.org 

panies. It also had the most sponsorship 

revenue in AACC’s history. 

The show attracts more attendees 

from the Pacifi c Rim when it is held 

in California and some of the large 

exhibitors had new product launches, 

which enhanced show growth. 

ALOA Convention Las Vegas 45,000 12.5% 133 20.9% 2,750 25.6% There were 150 international. 

& Security Expo Nashville 40,000 110 2,190 attendees from more than 50 

Associated Locksmiths 

countries, including South Africa, 

of America, Inc 

Egypt and Japan. According to 

www.aloa.org show management, more than 85% 

of attendees have buying power, and 

91% of ALOA members prefer to 

make buying decisions at exhibitions. 

ASI Show Chicago Chicago 91,200 0.9% 709 3.7% 6,759 0.2% There were 150 new exhibitors 

The ASI Show Chicago 90,400 684 6,743 and nearly all of the industry’s top 

www.asishow.com 

40 suppliers participated. The show 

offered more than 50 free education 

sessions, and distributor participation 

in Education Day was up 7%. 

Atlanta Intl. Gift & Home Atlanta 284,396 5.0% 1,743 4.6% 91,267 (0.8)% The show enjoyed continuing growth 

Furnishings Market - July Atlanta 270,949 1,666 92,000 in its national and intl. buyer base, 

AMC, Inc. 

increasing attendance from the top 

www.americasmart.com 

100 U.S. retailers, an expanding 

product mix across all categories, 

the expansion of the MADE IN 

AMERICA and GLOBAL DESIGNS 

categories and a sold-out edition 

of ICON HONORS. 

CAMT Houston 42,000 (10.2)% 160 (14.4)% 6,000 (13.0)% Exhibitors displayed instructional 

Conf. for the Advancement Grapevine, TX 46,750 187 6,900 materials and teaching aids for 

of Mathematics Teaching 

mathematics instruction. The theme 

www.camtonline.org 

of the meeting was “Navigating a Sea 

Trade Show Executive’s 

of Change” and there were more than 

800 educational sessions. 




SPONSORED BY 



Cosmoprof North America Las Vegas 198,271 4.5% 852 12.3% 27,250 est. 9.0% The 2012 show was the largest 

North American Beauty Events Las Vegas 189,680 759 25,000 to date as it celebrated its 10th 

www.cosmoprof 

edition. The show attracted new 

northamerica.com 

and innovative brands in addition 

to industry leaders. Through the 

International Buyer Program, 

sponsored by UNIPRO, the Italian 

Association of Cosmetic Industries, 

300 meetings were held between 

150 exhibiting companies and 88 

qualifi ed international buyers. 

Craft & Hobby Association Rosemont, IL 61,028 (21.6)% 172 (20.4)% 3,111 (22.7)% Despite the drop in attendance, the 

Summer Conference Rosemont, IL 77,824 216 4,023 show delivered substantial foot traffi c 

& Trade Show 

and valuable product recognition. 

Craft & Hobby Association 

Daily events on the show fl oor kept 

www.craftandhobby.org 

exhibitors and attendees engaged. 

Attendees represented more than 

600 buying companies from 43 

states and 34 countries. 15% of 

attendees were intl., with the most 

representation coming from Canada, 

Brazil, Japan, Mexico and Norway. 

A panel of celebrity judges selected 

the “CHA Hot 20” from the show’s 

New Product Showcase. 

Destination Marketing Seattle 14,100 67.9% 123 17.1% 1,310 16.7% 2012 was a record-breaking year for 

Assn. International New Orleans 8,400 105 1,123 this annual show. The event offered 

Annual Convention 

more than 40 educational sessions, 

www.destinationmarketing.org 

the most ever. Nearly 800 DMO 

professionals representing 14 

countries took part in peer networking, 

awards and interactive education. 

Firehouse Expo Baltimore 80,900 (3.9)% 352 (3.0)% N/A N/A Fire service has been slow to recover 

Cygnus Business Media Baltimore 84,200 363 14,003 from budget cuts, so attendance was 

www.FirehouseExpo.com 

down from 2011. (Actual attendance 

numbers were not available at press 

time.) New initiatives were introduced 

to recognize decision makers, and 

Experience Pass, an outdoor demo 

area that included a Ride and Drive 

demonstration, made its debut. 

Hawaii Lodging, Hospitality Honolulu 55,000 No change 307 1.7% 4,400 (7.7)% The show had fi ve new sponsors 

& Foodservice Expo Honolulu 55,000 302 4,768 and 42 new exhibitors. Focus group 

Douglas Trade Shows 

discussions indicated that attendees 

www.douglastradeshows.com 

were more enthusiastic and represented 

a higher level of purchasing 

authority than in the past. 

HydroVision Intl. 2012 Louisville, KY 45,600 10.4% 325 5.2% 2,614 (22.2)% The event included workshops, 

PennWell Corporation Sacramento, CA 41,300 309 3,360 seminars, briefi ngs and meetings 

www.pennwell.com 

of hydro organizations. Numerous 

networking opportunities included 

a golf tournament, evening receptions 

and a conference program featuring 

more than 70 sessions in eight hydrofocused 

tracks. Attendees came from 

more than 40 countries. 


Continued on next page 





SPONSORED BY 



IAVM VenueConnect Ft. Lauderdale 42,400 (3.0)% 222 1.8% 2,057 est. 6.1% The show included Sustainability 

International Association Phoenix 43,700 218 1,938 Showcase Presentations, the 5th 

of Venue Management 

Annual Venues Today Women of 

www.iavm.org 

Infl uence Reception in conjunction 

with IAVM’s Inaugural Women in 

Leadership Program, the 2nd Annual 

Venue Industry Awards and four 

venue tours. 

ICAST Orlando 134,100 5.6% 457 7.0% 8,800 27.2% The show drives product sales year- 

American Sportfi shing Assn. Las Vegas 127,000 427 6,920 round for sportfi shing companies. 

www.icastfi shing.org 

Buyer attendance and overall 

attendance were up substantially, 

and Orange County Mayor Teresa 

Jacobs declared the week of July 8 

ICAST Week. 

The Intl. AIDS Conference Washington, DC 36,059 9.8% 220 45.7% 23,767 24.4% Speakers at the conference included 

2012 (AIDS 2012) Vienna, Austria 32,830 151 19,100 President Bill Clinton, Secretary of 

International AIDS Society 

State Hillary Clinton, former First 

www.iasociety.org 

Lady Laura Bush, Bill Gates, Elton 

John and Whoopi Goldberg. This 

biennial event is the world’s largest 

meeting on AIDS and exhibitors 

and attendees come from all over 

the world. 

Intl. Christian Retail Show Orlando 62,000 (4.6)% 308 (4.3)% 4,990 1.5% The show included a wide selection 

CBA, The Association Atlanta 65,000 322 4,918 of events with content and solutions 

for Christian Retail 

designed to help attendees grow the 

www.christianretailshow.com 

impact of their ministries. New this 

year was a Trade Fair in Action exhibit 

focused on how fair trade can underscore 

missional development, the 

inaugural ICRS Film Festival, an 

Ask the Experts panel, Christian 

fi ction events, the New Voice 

Showcase and three connection 

centers for attendees to meet and 

discuss specifi c areas of interest. 

JA New York Summer Show New York 122,450 (11.0)% 822 (2.5)% 11,135 (5.0)% The show gave jewelers access 

Nielsen Expositions New York 137,517 843 11,722 to fi ne merchandise and education 

www.ja-newyork.com 

under one roof. The educational 

program addressed a range of 

topics, including profi t strategies, 

selling techniques, marketing, 

product knowledge, legal issues 

and e-commerce. 

OFA Short Course Columbus, OH 155,000 No change 568 2.3% 9,100 2.0% The show reported a 5% increase in 

OFA - The Association of Columbus, OH 155,000 555 8,925 the quality attendee to exhibitor ratio, 

Horticulture Professionals 

96 international exhibiting companies, 

www.ofa.org 

and expanded interactive educational 

opportunities for retailers and growers. 

Produce Marketing Monterey, CA 16,000 1.9% 160 1.9% 1,790 7.1% The show enjoyed record overall 

Association Foodservice Monterey, CA 15,700 157 1,672 attendance and a record number of 

Conference& Exposition 

exhibitors. The 2013 show is already 

Produce Marketing Association 

sold out. 

www.fsc.pma.com 

Southeast Building Conf. Orlando 68,500 0.7% 250 6.4% 4,500 (13.5)% 26% of exhibiting companies were 

Southeast Building Conference Orlando 68,000 235 5,200 new in 2012. Tubs and More, a new 

www.sebcshow.com exhibitor, received more than 86 

quality leads on the fi rst day and 

closed six deals, with an average 

tub sale of more than $3,500. 




SPONSORED BY 



Summer NAMM Nashville 43,618 (7.7)% 373 (2.4)% 11,035 1.3% Retail buyers increased 20% over 

NAMM, the National Nashville 47,268 382 10,898 the number of retail buyers last year. 

Assn. of Music Merchants 

The show featured 75 fi rst-time 

www.namm.org 

exhibitors and manufacturing 

exhibitors increased 9% over 2011. 

Attendees were given access to 

PLASA Focus: Nashville, a regional 

event with 60 pro-audio, lighting, AV 

and stage technology exhibitors who 

specialize in theater, live events and 

touring markets. The show also 

included a Public Day with live 

performances and programs 

designed for music enthusiasts. 

Texas High School Coaches San Antonio 80,000 (2.6)% 383 No change 12,672 16.7% The show had an economic impact 

Association Convention Ft. Worth 82,100 383 10,862 of approximately $15 million on the 

Texas High School 

city of San Antonio. A highlight of the 

Coaches Association 

show was the induction of coaches 

www.thsca.com 

into the Hall of Honor and the recognition 

of state champion coaches, 

the sports writer of the year, the Curly 

Hays Award winner and the Distinguished 

Service Award recipient 

Senator Leticia Van de Putte. 

World Congress Philadelphia 27,700 N/A 87 N/A 2,770 N/A This was the fi rst time this biennial 

on High-Speed Rail Beijing (‘10) N/A N/A N/A show was held in the U.S. The show 

American Public 

exceeded its sponsorship goal. Late 

Transportation Assn. 

visas and the announcement of a 

www.apta.com 

high-speed rail project in California 

resulted in a rush of last-minute 

attendees. The majority of attendees 

and speakers were international; 37 

countries were represented. APTA 

and Europoint produced the show 

for the Intl. Union of Railways (UIC), 

which is based in Paris. 

DASHBOARD ANALYSIS: Net SF of Exhibits Exhibitors Total Attendance 

Total 1,911,822 9,422 258,252 

(Sum of all fi gures submitted by show management) 1,884,618 9,064 259,797 

Adjusted Total 1,753,063 8,640 230,405 

(Excludes outliers and shows in which an 1,759,188 8,445 225,571 

apples-to-apples comparison is not possible) 

Averages 97,392 480 12,800 

(Based on Adjusted Totals) 97,733 469 12,532 

Percentage of Growth (0.3)% 2.3% 2.1% 

(Based on Adjusted Totals) 

COMING UP 

NEXT MONTH: 

A review of shows 

held in August 


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POWER LUNCH 


SPONSORED BY 

Tony 

Calanca 

1,152 SHOWS AND COUNTING 

Tony Calanca is one of the busiest executives in trade shows. As 

executive vice president of exhibitions for Advanstar Communications, 

Inc., he works out of southern Connecticut and directs all of the company’s 

show operations, sales processes, registration, production, and 

contracts and billing for the Santa Monica-based company. His work 

spans trade shows in the fashion, licensing, life sciences, power sports 

and automotive industries — many of which rank regularly in the Trade 

Show Executive Gold 100 rankings. 

Tony’s remarkable 30+ year career includes senior management positions 

at Reed Exhibitions and a foray into launching his own company, 

Infinity Expo Group as well as serving on industry boards and committees. 

He lives in New Canaan, CT with his wife Pat Dolson (who is the 

retired President of Reed Exhibitions,North America) and their two sons. 

BY BOB DALLMEYER, TSE columnist 

Photo by Audrey Dempsey, Infi nity Photo 


POWER LUNCH 

SPONSORED BY 

BOB: You have enormous 

responsibilities in so many diverse 

markets, ranging from mega trade 

shows such as MAGIC Marketplace 

to the International Motorcycle Show 

Tour that attracts a half million consumer 

attendees each year. Over the span 

of your career, how many trade shows 

have you directed show operations for? 

TONY: At last count, I estimated that I 

have overseen 1,152 shows. That’s a lot. 

BOB: Yes, that is a lot. I’m certain that 

you have some interesting stories of 

unusual situations that occurred during 

move-in/out. Care to share any? 

TONY: At the 1982 SHOT Show in Atlanta 

in January, there was a severe ice and 

snow storm. Atlanta has no snow removal 

equipment, so the city was shut down. 

Attendees who had checked out of their 

hotel rooms came back to the hotels and 

slept in the lobbies, along with regular 

Atlanta commuters who could not get out 

of the city because the roads were closed. 

The convention bureau staff working in 

registration slept overnight at the Georgia 

World Congress Center on cots we 

brought in. It was one big pajama party. 

BOB: How would you compare 

the move-in and move-out process 

today to five years ago? 

TONY: I’ll answer this question over 

a longer arc: the first show I worked 

on was about 23,000 net square feet 

and we had a six-day move in. (chuckling) 

Today, we would move that show in one 

day. Over time, exhibits got bigger and 

more complicated and more expensive. 

I&D companies recognized a niche in 

serving large exhibitors, and built a huge 

business around that. More recently, 

exhibitors have begun to downsize and 

there are not as many 10,000 square foot 

double-decker booths to be seen. Clearly 

some of these still exist, but not in 

as many shows or industry sectors. 

Additionally, because of the overall 

growth of the industry, exhibit halls are 

getting more demand for dates, so 

move-in and move-out times have 

become compressed. There have been 

times when we had only 36 hours to 

move in a mega show because that was 

all the time we could get. 

BOB: Are the exhibitors 

better trained today? 

TONY: Exhibitors are better educated 

and more demanding, which they should 

be. Technology has become a huge part 

of their participation. The biggest trend 

we’ve seen recently is that the money in 

exhibitry is moving from the booth itself 

to overhead rigging and lighting. 

Exhibitors are better 

educated and more 

demanding, which they 

should be. Technology has 

become a huge part of their 

participation. The biggest 

trend we’ve seen recently is 

that the money in exhibitry 

is moving from the booth 

itself to overhead rigging 

and lighting. 

BOB: What will move-in be like 

five years from now? Can you think 

of any new processes that could 

streamline the way things are done? 

TONY: Move-in will trend like much of 

our normal activities, meaning it will become 

less about heavy construction and 

more about technology. We will see less 

emphasis on the wall systems and more 

on the display systems and audiovisual 

or computer effects. 

Face-to-Face with History. Tony Calanca (R) and Sen. Barry Goldwater meet and greet at the 

1982 Summer Fancy Food Show in Washington. Tony has shaken a lot of hands while overseeing 

more than 1,150 trade shows in his career. 

BOB: How are smart phones 

changing registration? What do you 

envision for the future of registration? 

TONY: We are not quite there yet on 

smart phones. The holy grail would be 



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Send and manage 

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Map of the show floor 

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View and manage attendee 

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POWER LUNCH 

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if all attendees and exhibitors had all the 

necessary demographics in their phones 

and could just send it over the internet 

or on-site to a registration database and 

get their credentials downloaded to their 

phone. While much of this does not press 

the state-of-the-art of existing technology, 

the economics of setting up these systems 

does not yet work for our industry. 

BOB: Convention centers are currently 

challenged to provide more IT services.? 

TONY: The problem is that the venues 

don’t normally have the funding or the 

expertise to install or run these IT solutions. 

As an example, if you were able to 

convince eight big shows that use the Las 

Vegas Convention Center annually to all 

pitch in and install an RFID system, you 

could probably get enough money to do 

it, and all the shows would save money 

over the long run. But the issue is not an 

economic one. The issue is that all eight 

shows would want something different in 

terms of capabilities or where the systems 

are installed, or something like that. 

BOB: What is Advanstar doing 

to provide solutions for your 

exhibitors and attendees? 

TONY: We now routinely buy out the 

Wi-Fi at the venues we use so the event 

participants, who are used to having 

this access in the normal course of their 

work day, don’t have to pay for it. In the 

next few years, I believe you will see the 

major exhibit halls provide Wi-Fi at no 

additional charge as it becomes more 

expected and they’ve paid off their 

initial capital investment. 

BOB: What’s your position on 

exclusive services in facilities? 

TONY: I am pretty much opposed to 

all exhibit hall exclusive contractors. 

I understand why in some cases exhibit 

halls want them, but as far as we are 

concerned, there are no benefits but 

only detriments to shows when there 

is an in-hall exclusive contractor. 

BOB: Do you feel that show organizers 

negotiate too hard over rates for 

drayage, hall rental, registration, etc.? 

TONY: No, that is actually impossible. 

Any contractor is free at any time to walk 

away from a deal if they think the rates 

being asked for are too low — and I have 

seen it happen. This is a dynamic between 

buyers and sellers that is universal and 

is not limited to the trade show industry. 

The only exceptions to this are when 

there is an in-hall exclusive contractor. 

POWER LUNCH Hall rents in the U.S. 

SNAPSHOT 

TONY CALANCA 

Directs Operations for: 

• The largest apparel trade show in the 

world: the semi-annual MAGIC Marketplace, 

with 1.2 million net square feet, over 3,000 

exhibitors showcasing 5,000 brand names; 

• Dealer Expo, the largest U.S. trade show 

in the powersports aftermarket sector; 

• The International Motorcycle Show Tour, 

which reaches a consumer audience of 

nearly 500,000 enthusiasts each year; 

• Licensing International, which features 

more than 525 leading licensors and agents; 

• The Life Sciences Group, which encompasses 

the healthcare, dental and veterinary 

fi elds with three trade shows and more 

than120 conferences. 

Previous positions: 

• Senior Vice President at Reed Exhibitions; 

• Co-Founder of Infi nity Expo Group. 

Education & Awards: 

• Bachelors degree in Business from 

Bradley University in Peoria, IL 

• Reed Elsevier Executive Development 

Program, Oxford University, U.K. 

• Reed Elsevier Management Program, 

Warwick University, U.K. 

• RX Worldwide Chairman’s Award 

• RX North American President’s Award 

Professional and Community Affiliations: 

• Member of the Society of Independent 

Show Organizers (SISO) Board of Directors, 

Education Committee and CEO Forum 

• Frequent speaker at industry events 

• Past President of the New Canaan 

Sports Council 

are much lower than 

rents in Asia or Europe, 

where governments don’t 

subsidize the buildings the 

way we do. On the other 

hand, if you look at the tax 

revenue that trade shows 

bring in, and how much of 

it goes back to the local 

convention bureau or exhibit 

hall, you will find in most 

cases that the tax revenue 

far outstrips the cost of 

running the facility. 

BOB: Do you feel that facility space 

rates are artificially low, which has 

all kinds of repercussions for them 

politically and financially? 

TONY: I don’t know if hall rental rates 

are artificially low. I do know that most 

government-owned exhibit halls operate 

at a loss, but that is the business model 

they chose, which uses hall occupancy 

to drive hotel occupancy. There is nothing 

stopping the halls from raising their 

rates, except perhaps the market. If some 

cities can run their halls more efficiently 

and make money while charging a lower 

rental rate than their competition, so be 

it. Further, hall rents in the U.S. are much 

lower than rents in Asia or Europe, where 

governments don’t subsidize the buildings 

the way we do in the U.S. On the 


SPONSORED BY 

other hand, if you look at the tax revenue 

that trade shows bring in, and how much 

of it goes back to the local convention bureau 

or exhibit hall, you will find in most 

cases that the tax revenue far outstrips 

the cost of running the facility. But the 

local governments use that tax revenue 

to fund other things. Politicians love the 

hotel occupancy tax because it is not paid 

by the people who vote for them. 

BOB: Any other downside to this model? 

TONY: Another negative effect is that as 

the exhibit halls search for new revenue 

streams, it tends to result in more inhall 

exclusives. However, we are seeing 

that begin to change, witness the recent 

changes at McCormick Place. 

BOB: What’s changed about exhibit 

space selection? Is this process 

moving entirely online? 

TONY: For some of our shows, we connect 

our floorplan software to our CRM 

and billing systems. This puts all the data 

on a single company in one unified place. 

BOB: Advanstar is quite creative in 

offering exhibitor packages. Are there 

challenges to upselling exhibitors? 

TONY: We don’t upsell. We assure 

exhibitors that they will be spending 

less money by not sending their 10’ x 20’ 

booth to the show and paying drayage 

to move it into their space. If they buy 

a booth from us with a studio or showroom 

package, which includes 300 lbs. 

of drayage, they can simply show up 

and unload their products onto a cart, 

which is hauled into the booth and they’re 

done. Basically, this is a “push through” 

for us and our exhibitors love it. 

BOB: What are you doing 

to help your exhibitors achieve 

a good Return On Investment? 

TONY: We start by capping their costs. 

We also consult with them to spend 

wisely — we want to have them as customers 

for the long haul. We understand that 

they want good commerce from exhibiting, 

but they also want a sense of community 

and celebration. Our shows now have wide 

aisles and lots of tables and chairs where 

anyone can connect with friends and 

colleagues, or pull out an iPad or smartphone 

to get connected. This wisely keeps 

everyone on the show floor. 

BOB: Surveys indicate that hotel 

rates are rising because of a healthy 

marketplace. What’s the current 

situation with hotel attrition and 

cancellation clauses? 

TONY: We have a great attorney, so we 

seldom sign a contract with an attrition 

clause. For MAGIC, I sign about 28 hotel 

contracts and only one of those has an 

attrition clause. 

BOB: In your opinion, what are 

the key issues impacting exhibitors 

and attendees today? 

TONY: The big issue is perceived value 

for both groups. We strive to create events 

that exhibitors and attendees want to be 

at in order to achieve value in whatever 

way they measure that. 

BOB: In your job, there is no playbook. 

Can you cite a challenging situation for 

which you had to think on your feet? 

TONY: At the 1995 BookExpo America 

at McCormick Place, we had an amazing 

speaker lineup: Studs Terkel, the famed 

author; Hillary Clinton, the First Lady 

of the United States at the time; recently 

retired General Colin Powell; and Newt 

Gingrich, Speaker of the House at the 

time. This was just after the Republicans 

had taken control of the House of Representatives. 

Some demonstrators in wheelchairs 

had heard that Mr. Gingrich was 

speaking and they snuck into McCormick 

Place to disrupt his speech. The press had 

a field day, and the Chicago Police literally 

ringed the building and arrested the demonstrators. 

It took a lot of time, patience, 

and perspective to get things calmed 

down and the show back to normal. 

BOB: What defines a 

successful show for you? 

TONY: Customer delight. 

BOB: How did you get 

started in this business? 

TONY: I responded to a newspaper ad 

and interviewed with Larry Charllin, 

who hired me in April 1980. 

BOB: Who were your mentors? 

TONY: Vocationally, Larry Charllin 

taught me the nuts and bolts about trade 

shows. The guys who taught me about 

business overall were the late Bob Krakoff, 

president and CEO of Reed, and 

Jim Alic, Executive VP of Advanstar. 

BOB: What do you value 

the most in your associates? 

TONY: Honesty and integrity. 

BOB: What is your secret extravagance? 

TONY: I’m a newly minted private pilot, 

so I spend a little cash on renting airplanes. 

BOB: What helps you sleep at night? 

TONY: Having good people 

working with you. 

BOB: Any final thoughts? 

TONY: I learned from my mentors Bob, 

Jim and Larry that no one wants to be 

managed, they want to be led. While 

much of what I do at Advanstar is operations, 

I prefer to lead and not manage. 

Reach Tony Calanca at (440) 385-2455 or 

tcalanca@advanstar.com 

Columnist BOB DALLMEYER, CEM, has been chairman of both the International Association of 

Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and the Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA), as well as a former director 

of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR). In 2006, he was inducted into the Convention Industry 

Council’s Hall of Leaders and received IAEE’s Pinnacle Award in 2008. Contact Bob at (323) 934-8300 

or bdallmeyer@tradeshowexecutive.com 


Nine Win Big 

in Trade Show 

Executive's 

Readers' Choice 

Innovation 

Awards 

Oceanside, CA – The pace of innovation 

is increasing not only in the trade show 

industry but also in every facet of our life, 

from smart appliances that do everything 

but fold the laundry, to social media that 

keeps us connected with family, friends 

and colleagues. 

Today’s innovators can draw inspiration 

from almost anywhere: from technology 

or systems used in other industries that are 

tweaked to make trade show processes more 

efficient or robust, or from insight gained 

from customers faced with vexing challenges. 

And as the winners of this year’s TSE Readers’ 

Choice Innovation Awards proves, innovative 

organizations come in all shapes and sizes — 

they are not always the giants. 

“There are a few things you can always 

count on in our business: markets evolve, 

requirements change, and service 

providers seek ways to leverage 

these developments to their 

advantage,” said Darlene 

Gudea, president of 


Media Group. “The 

organizations 

that are the 

THE 

Readers 

haveSpoken 

READERS’ CHOICE 

Tr 

ade Show Exec 

utiv 

ive’ 

s 

awards 

d 2012 


most innovative, year after year, are always 

reinventing themselves, essentially ‘eating 

their own lunch’ before someone else does,” 

she said. Given the pace of technological 

change and the whims of the customer, they 

invest profits in next-generation products 

before current processes become obsolete. 

Innovation is constantly changing the rules 

of engagement. 

Trade Show Executive also changed the 

rules of engagement this year for its annual 

Innovation Awards launched in 2003. The 

desire for an imprimatur for tech initiatives 

from show managers led us to rework, rename 

and relaunch the contest as a Readers’ Choice 

awards program. “TSE’s Readers’ Choice 

Awards are the highest accolade an innovator 

can receive because the ‘seal of approval’ 

comes from peers and customers rather 

than tech experts who may be biased or lack 

experience as a show organizer,” Gudea said. 

There were a total of 44 nominees in nine 

main categories culled from the entries. 

Detailed descriptions, photos and contact 

information were published in the July issue 

of Trade Show Executive magazine as well as 

online, along with a ballot for voting. A total 

of 1,683 votes were cast. [TSE had systems 

in place to reject multiples votes from the 

same email address or those that used 

artifice to vote multiple times.] 

And the winners are: 

Most Innovative 

Tech Initiatives Serving 

Show Management 

First Place: onPeak, for its Compass 

Dashboard, which simplifies housing 

tasks for show managers 

Second Place: Map Your Show, for Booth 

Builder, a suite of show management 

software solutions ranging from an 

interactive floorplan to online, onsite 

and mobile support products 

Third Place: Eventbrite, for its 

all-in-one registration, social 

media, payment processing 

and analytics system 


Tech Initiatives 

Serving Exhibitors 

First Place: Freeman, for the life-size 

Floorprint by Freeman that speeds up 

booth assembly 

Second Place: Global Experience Specialists 

(GES) for Expresso, an online exhibit planning, 

ordering and management system 

Third Place: NEXXT, for NextWall, a European-style 

hardwall system made of 100% 

recyclable materials. It provides a classy 

alternative to the old-fashioned pipe and 

drape, which unfortunately has been the 

industry standard since WWII 

Most Innovative Tech 

Initiatives Serving Attendees 

First Place: Orange County Convention Center, 

for its mobile app providing floor maps 

of the convention center and food courts; 

info on nearby restaurants; transportation 

options; and flight status 

Second Place: UBM Electronics for its 

Design on Demand, which provides massive 

amounts of content for attendees before, 

during and after an event, and is loaded 

with many other unique features 

Third Place: none 

Most Innovative Tech 

Initiatives Serving 

Show Management, 

Exhibitors & Attendees 

First Place: The Las Vegas Convention 

& Visitors Authority, who partnered with 

Smart City Networks to introduce a 14- 

location digital network within the Las 

Vegas Convention Center. Not only does it 

provide useful information for attendees 

and exhibitors, it also created a new 

revenue stream for show management. 

Second Place: Guidebook, for its Mobile 

Apps guides that provide rich content and 

allow last minute changes, instant updates 

and new revenue opportunities. 



Green Initiatives 

by Show Management 

First Place: The Consumer Electronics 

Association, for its comprehensive greening 

plan, from the show floor itself to badges, 

press kits and signage. The mega show also 

increased its reuse/recycle rate to 75%. 

Second Place: Nielsen Expositions, which 

appealed to attendees to help pay the 

electric bill at its Outdoor Retailer shows 

with the purchase of power generated 

from renewable sources 

Third Place: UBM Live, which developed 

a companywide sustainability program 

that meets the Gold standard of international 

certification 

Most Innovative Green Initiatives 

by a Convention Center 

First Place: The Anaheim Convention 

Center, for its leading energy efficiency, 

recycling and food sustainability programs. 

Second Place: The Georgia World Congress 

Center, for recently expanding sustainability 

initiatives including the use of electric 

vehicles by the Public Safety Department; 

the installation of digital monitors; 

purchasing ionators to reduce the 

use of cleaning chemicals; and 

using robotic floor cleaners. 




Third Place: The Orange County Convention 

Center, which created a new staff position 

to spearhead and centralize green initiatives 

and work closely with show management on 

special requests such as carbon offsets. 

Most Innovative Green Initiatives 

by a Service Contractor 

First Place: Global Experience Specialists 

(GES) wowed readers with its all-around 

efforts in working with show management, 

facilities, exhibitors and business partners 

to achieve the goal of zero waste. 

Second Place: ViridiStor LLC, for its 

comprehensive Green Box Solution 

which allows attendees to collect and 

organize a wealth of information from 

exhibitors on a free USB thumb drive. 

This cost-effective and efficient solution 

replaces paper-based materials with 

electronic versions, in virtually any 

format including audio and video. 


Most Innovative Individual 

in the Trade Show Industry 

First Place: Katy Wild, Executive VP of 

Consumer Relations for Freeman, whose 35 

years with the company has yielded numerous 

innovations to improve the customer service 

experience at trade shows and events. She 

has a knack for understanding the real issues 

and challenges confronting exhibitors and 

show managers, and for working with teams 

to create innovative solutions. 

Second Place: Jacques Racine, President 

& CEO of Sherpa Solutions. He is one of the 

early pioneers of RFID portals and lead 

retrieval units with color touchscreen, 

bluetooth and RFID capabilities; and 

a real-time locating system [RTLS]. 

Third Place: Ivan Lazarev, President & CEO 

of ITN International. From lead retrieval 

and near-field communications to apps for 

public transit and museum visits, Ivan’s 

name is always attached to what’s new, 

what’s different and what’s hot for the 

trade show industry. 

Most Innovative Organization 

in the Trade Show Industry 

First Place: The Consumer Electronics Association 

is a shining example of innovation 

at its finest. From market research to technical 

training; from surveys to forecasts; 

and from innovative features in and around 

the show floor, CEA is a source of inspiration 

and an organization to watch. 

Second Place: Sherpa Solutions has 

justifiably won many awards for its 

innovations through the years but doesn’t 

rest on its laurels. One of the company’s 

finest offerings is a heat mapping system 

which can track attendee traffic on the 

show floor, yield insight into attendee 

behavior, and create new revenue 

opportunities such as zone pricing. 

Third Place: ViridiStor LLC has emerged 

as an innovator with its digital brochures, 

digital brochure racks and digital tote bags, 

greatly reducing the environmental impact 

and financial costs of paper-based materials 

at trade shows. TSE 

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS! More details on each of the First Place winners appears on pages 44 to 48 


1st Place 

Winner 

2012 

2ND PLACE 

Map Your Show 

Booth Builder 

3RD PLACE 

Eventbrite 

MOST INNOVATIVE 

TECH INITIATIVES SERVING SHOW MANAGEMENT 

ONPEAK 

COMPASS DASHBOARD 

From first glance it's clear that this is no ordinary 

dashboard. It's playful and fun. It's striking and 

whimsical. It's intelligent and informative. Compass 

Dashboard makes housing data more accessible 

than ever before through a playful yet powerful 

interface designed to improve the service and 

performance of hotel blocks. 

Armed with data and tools usually reserved for 

housing managers, a library of sticky notes creates a 

customized dashboard to pull the info you want, 24/7. 

Monitor overall pick-up, view a peak night snapshot, 

or see how many rooms are being held without name 

assignments (always in real-time). Check out the final 

numbers from last year’s show, pick the fields for a 

custom-built roster, or look up the exhibitor you have 

on the phone (and resend their confirmation while 

you’re at it). Just want to pull 

a standard PDF/Excel report? Easy peasy. 

Little quirks along the way let you view a live feed 

of recent bookings, grab our contact info and see our 

faces, or view an estimate of your stash (hotel commissions). 

Compass Dashboard is yours, so you decide how 

it works for you. And since we know you’re on-the-go, 

Compass Dashboard was built to work and look good on 

any device — laptop, desktop, tablet or smartphone. 



1st Place 

Winner 

2012 

2ND PLACE 

GES Expresso 

3RD PLACE 

Nexxt 

NextWall 


TECH INITIATIVES SERVING EXHIBITORS 

FREEMAN 

FLOORPRINT 

Freeman is constantly looking for new ways to 

enhance the event experience for exhibitors and attendees, 

while simplifying the event planning process. 

That's why we are relentlessly developing new 

cutting-edge event solutions. Floorprint by Freeman 

delivers a life-size blueprint for exhibits, eliminating 

the guesswork associated with booth set-up — large 

or small. 

Developed for placement directly onto concrete 

or over carpet, Floorprint uses numbered and 

color-coded symbols to indicate electrical and rigging 

schematics, placement of wall panels, cabinets, doors 

or other components, as well as internet connections 

and more. Additionally, the banner material protects 

carpeting from forklifts and other traffic during setup; 

replacing the visqueen protective covering. 

This product is the first of its kind for exhibitors. 

While traditional set-up works as is, Floorprint improves 

the process by simplifying the often detailed 

work and can reduce labor costs by up to 30%. 

Floorprint is printed on a low-cost banner material. 

It has been utilized successfully by numerous clients 

to reduce their labor/installation costs. 


1st Place 

Winner 

2012 

2ND PLACE 

UBM Electronics 

Design on Demand 

3RD PLACE 

None 


TECH INITIATIVES SERVING ATTENDEES 

ORANGE COUNTY 

CONVENTION CENTER 

MOBILE WEB APP 

As the second largest convention facility in the 

United States, the seven million square feet of 

Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) 

can be a navigational challenge for even to the most 

expert meeting attendee. The OCCC’s newest technology 

— a mobile web app, http://m.occc.net — gives 

guests the power to quickly find nearby restaurants 

and other information via an interactive Convention 

Center District map. The innovative web app 

also includes everything from floor maps and food 

court locations to real-time flight statuses and area 

transportation options, and can even be translated 

into 34 languages. With the OCCC’s complimentary 

Wi-Fi in public areas, accessing the mobile web 

app is seamless. Getting around “The Center of 

Hospitality” just got easier! 



1st Place 

Winner 

2012 

2ND PLACE 

Guidebook 

Mobile Apps 

3RD PLACE 

Oregon CC 

Meridian App 


TECH INITIATIVES SERVING SHOW 

MANAGEMENT, EXHIBITORS & ATTENDEES 

LAS VEGAS CVA 

DIGITAL ADVERTISING 

In January of 2012, the LVCVA partnered with Smart 

City Networks to introduce a fourteen location digital 

advertising network within the Las Vegas Convention 

Center. The largest screen, strategically located 

in the Grand Lobby, measures approximately 12’ x 

21’. The digital advertising network creates a new 

revenue stream for show management, as well as a 

marketing and advertising vehicle that is available 

to all exhibitors. The location choices and compelling 

content make this a notable addition. 

The pricing model allows all tiers of exhibitors to 

own messaging in prime locations. Unlike traditional 

media, the digital network allows exhibitors and 

attendees to keep abreast of time-relevant show 

information. This system affords the opportunity 

to make rapid daily changes as well as time-relevant 

messaging. Show management's use of the network includes 

a cost-effective sponsorship opportunity, show 

communication board as well as interactive features 

highlighting mobile and social networking platforms. 

Exhibitor’s primary use is to increase foot traffic to 

their booth. The highly trafficked locations allow all 

tiers of exhibitors to be on a level playing field. Exhibitors 

rely on the network to communicate show information, 

schedules, initiatives, and mobile features. 


1st Place 

Winner 

2012 

2ND PLACE 

Georgia World 

Congress Center 

3RD PLACE 

Orange County 

Convention Center 


GREEN INITIATIVES BY A CONVENTION CENTER 

ANAHEIM 

CONVENTION CENTER 

ANAHEIM, CA 

Through energy efficiency, recycling programs and 

food sustainability, the Anaheim Convention Center, 

the largest LEED-certified convention center in the 

West, is truly a ringleader in green leadership. 

Energy efficiency: The Anaheim Convention 

Center has the first and largest grid connector solar 

power generating system in Anaheim, generating 

140,000wkh of electricity a year. Plans are also in 

place to install an additional 1.5-megawatt rooftop 

solar array in late 2012. 

Recycling Programs: The Anaheim Convention 

Center has an on-site recycling center with modern 

equipment to recycle everything from plastic to discarded 

electronics and cardboard. This “Green-Zone” 

also includes on-site composting for food scraps 

and turns them into rich concentrated soil used to 

enhance the city’s plants and flowers. 

Food Sustainability: Environmental Stewardship 

is a way of life at the Anaheim Convention Center’s 

partnering food company, ARAMARK. Their ecofriendly 

menu includes sustainable cuisine selections; 

the most notable is the ARAMARK owned sustainable 

cattle at Hearst Ranch. All utensils, cups and serving 

plates are biodegradable. Food, wine and cheese are 

purchased locally, and there is even a chef’s garden 

on the rooftop of the Anaheim Arena, where fresh 

vegetables and herbs are grown year-round. 



1st Place 

Winner 

2012 

2ND PLACE 

Nielsen 

Expositions 

3RD PLACE 

UBM Live 


GREEN INITIATIVES BY SHOW MANAGEMENT 

CONSUMER 

ELECTRONICS 

ASSOCIATION 

Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) made great 

strides in physically “greening” the 2012 Intl. CES®. 

We produced 190,000 badge holders made from recycled 

vinyl banners from the 2011 CES. Nearly 11,000 

of these badges were recycled and will be repurposed 

for a third life — to make badges for the 2013 CES. 

Both of our on-site press rooms housed paperless 

exhibitor press kits, meaning exhibitors hosted press 

kits on USBs, CDs or URLs. We transitioned to Falconboard, 

a 100% paper-based graphic board made from 

renewable resources, for all indoor directional signage. 

After the 2012 CES, we collected materials from 

the show floor to repurpose and give back to the local 

community. We increased our overall reuse/recycle 

rate to 75%, up from 74% in 2011. 

The 2012 CES show floor itself highlighted the 

benefits of green initiatives. Our Sustainable Planet 

TechZone featured the latest in eco-friendly products 

and energy efficiency technologies, highlighting the 

latest products that make it possible for everyone 

on this planet to live sustainably. The GoElectric- 

Drive TechZone showcased a full range of high- and 

low-speed electric vehicles, energy storage devices 

and charging solutions, highlighting an area of great 

potential and growth for the industry. 


1st Place 

Winner 

2012 

2ND PLACE 

ViridiStor LLC 

3RD PLACE 

None 


GREEN INITIATIVES BY A SERVICE CONTRACTOR 

GLOBAL EXPERIENCE 

SPECIALISTS (GES) 

GES works hand-in-hand with show organizers and 

exhibitors to provide the best sustainable solution. 

Eco-friendly products are offered such as carpet 

that is 100% recyclable with visqueen that is 100% 

recyclable and made from 50% recycled content; 

graphic substrates that are made from recycled 

content and 100% recyclable; table top covers that 

are 100% recyclable; and booth structures that 

have flexibility, items that are repurposed and are 

cost efficient. GES aims to have a future with zero 

waste by continuously encouraging the redesign of 

products, changing individual’s views on their lifestyle 

and making decisions based on the sustainable 

life cycle. GES recognizes the importance of providing 

greener solutions to make their clients’ shows 

look terrific, but also be cost effective. GES stays 

on the cutting edge as it relates to new sustainable 

products, technology, equipment and transportation. 

Lastly, GES continues to expand on relationships 

with facilities, vendors and business partners 

to not only help educate them on the sustainability 

path GES is leading, but ensure steps are taken to 

achieve the end result of zero waste. 



1st Place 

Winner 

2012 

2ND PLACE 

Jacques Racine, 

Sherpa Solutions 

3RD PLACE 

Ivan Lazarev, 

ITN International 


INDIVIDUAL IN TRADE SHOW INDUSTRY 

KATY WILD 

FREEMAN 

Katy Wild has been a part of Freeman since 1977, 

taking on the pioneer role as Executive Vice President 

of Customer Relations. Her focus has always been 

on the exhibitor and she has dedicated her time to 

innovation and technology to improve the service 

experience. Katy's role includes providing process 

guidelines for over 250 exhibitor services personnel in 

23 Freeman locations, the J.D. Power and Associates 

award-winning Customer Support Center in Dallas and 

the development of the Freeman customer experience 

programs, both internal and external, for all Freeman 

companies. She receives more than 36,000 surveys 

from show management, associations and exhibitors, 

and utilizes customer feedback to fuel ongoing customer 

service initiatives to benefit customers. 

Katy has a determination to assist exhibitors at 

show sites — and this persistence led to the development 

of Concierge Elite®. Concierge Elite® has been 

recognized for outstanding innovation by winning the 

UFI 2011 Operations Award, the 2010 TSE Innovation 

Award, and the Exhibitor 2011 Buyer's Choice Award. 

Katy, with her her functional knowledge and the ever-growing 

importance of customer service, is a lead 

presenter on all major sales presentations done by 

Freeman. This expanded program over the last eight 

years has been viewed by the trade show industry as 

a differentiator for Freeman from their competitors. 


1st Place 

Winner 

2012 

2ND PLACE 

Sherpa Solutions 

3RD PLACE 

ViridiStor LLC 


ORGANIZATION IN TRADE SHOW INDUSTRY 

CONSUMER 

ELECTRONICS 

ASSOCIATION 

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) unites 

2,000 companies within the consumer technology 

industry. Members tap into valuable and innovative 

members-only resources: unparalleled market 

research, networking opportunities with business 

advocates and leaders, up-to-date educational programs 

and technical training, exposure in extensive 

promotional programs and representation from the 

voice of the industry. 

Consumer Electronics Association's mission is to 

grow the consumer electronics industry. They’re the 

industry authority on market research and forecasts; 

consumer surveys; legislative and regulatory news; 

engineering standards; training resources and more. 

CEA produces the International CES, which is the 

world's largest consumer technology trade show. 

It unites more than 100,000 retail buyers, distributors, 

manufacturers, market analysts, importers, 

exporters and press from 140 countries. CEA 

members receive discounted floor space and other 

benefits when they exhibit. Resources for members 

included a research library, workshops and educational 

programs, technical training and certification 

programs. Members using their resources have 

a built-in lead in today's competitive marketplace. 


2012 

Hotel Development 

Near Convention 

Centers: Looking in the Pipeline 

BY RENEE DIIULIO, senior editor 

Oceanside, CA – When it comes to the 

proximity of a hotel to a convention 

center, the value of convenience cannot 

be overstated. Attendees like to be within 

walking distance of an event, and the walk 

should be short and comfortable — that 

is, protected from the heat, cold, rain or 

snow. Aside from those within or attached 

to the convention venue, hotels considered 

the most convenient are situated across the 

street or adjacent to the convention center, 

in sight and easy to get to (e.g. a pedestrian 

bridge to cross a major highway). 

Recognizing the sales advantage of 

hotels in close proximity, the majority 

of venues listed in Trade Show Executive’s 

World’s Top Convention Centers boast at 

least one hotel that is attached, adjacent 

or across the street. Many of those without 

a headquarters hotel have plans in 

some stage of development. 

Unfortunately, the hotel development 

process can be difficult to get through 

in good times, seemingly impossible in 

downturns. And shovels in the ground 

are no guarantee: the Renaissance Colorado 

Springs North in Colorado Springs, 

CO, reached 80% completion when the 

project was put on hold — and two years 

have gone by since. 

Financing is one of the larger challenges 

to hotel construction. Research by HVS 

Consulting & Valuation noted that many 

projects were put on hold or cancelled following 

the downturn in 2008 as financing 

became tight. Construction spending on 

lodging declined more rapidly than other 

sectors in 2009 and 2010. HVS estimates 

that the cost to build a full-service hotel 

in 2010 fell between $97,100 and $591,000. 

Only luxury hotels and resorts cost more 

(significantly so with a range of $415,400 

to $1,481,600). 

Stagnant Inventory Helps Rebound 

With money hard to obtain across the 

board, HVS found that the growth in 

the number of national hotel rooms 

decreased for all categories except independents 

in 2010. The more constricted 

supply, however, helped the industry 

begin its rebound. Metrics by which 

hotels measure financial performance 

have been improving since 2010, and 

developers have been eager to take 

advantage of higher occupancy and room 

rates. Rooms in the total active pipeline, 

though, have not been steadily increasing. 

The July 2012 STR/McGraw-Hill Construction 

Dodge Pipeline Report reported 

the total active pipeline data decreased 

when compared to July 2011, but that there 

were more rooms in the “In Construction” 

phase. (The report includes projects in the 

“In Construction,” “Final Planning” and 

“Planning” stages). Companies reported 

61,490 rooms under construction compared 

to 54,608 last year, an increase of 

12.6%; the upscale and upper midscale 

segments led the growth. 

The data does not include information 

on hotels in the pre-planning stages, 

which means projects such as convention 

center-convenient hotels planned in 

Houston (TX), Portland (OR) and Honolulu 

(HI) are not counted. Once they get 

underway, they will be tracked too. 

When all of these rooms finally come 

available, show organizers may find 

negotiations a little easier, but even if 

projects are completed quickly, rooms in 

the pipeline represent a small fraction of 

the market. For now, the hotel industry 

expects to continue to experience high 

occupancy rates — and higher room rates. 

Show organizers want their attendees’ 

show experience to be a positive one, but 

ultimately, an attendee who is tired of walking 

or dealing with a long taxi ride to the 

show site will spend less time on the show 

floor. So show organizers will continue to 

press for convenience, comfort and reasonable 

rates when it comes to lodging. 

Trade Show Executive has completed its 

annual research into the status of hotel/ 

convention center complexes and allin-one 

complexes in North America. 

The venues have been broken out by 

category in a quick reference list. The main 

listings are organized alphabetically by 

facility name; information on rooms and 

event space as well as contact information 

for hotels is included. Properties under 

construct-ion are noted with the target 

completion dates. Trade Show Executive 

will con-tinue to look in the pipeline to 

monitor the progress of these and other 

projects in the pre-planning stages. TSE 


www.TradeShowExecutive.com | September 2012 51 

Albuquerque Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 

Alliant Energy Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 

America's Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 

Anaheim Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 

Arlington Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 

The Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart . . . . . . . .52 

Atlantic City Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 

Austin Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 

Baltimore Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 

Baton Rouge River Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 

M.C. Benton Jr. Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 

Big Sandy Superstore Arena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 

Boston Convention & Exhibition Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 

Branson Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 

George R. Brown Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 

Buffalo Niagara Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 

Cajundome/Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 

CAL EXPO/California Exposition & State Fair . . . . . . . . . . .54 

Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center . . . . . . . . .54 

CenturyLink Center Omaha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 

CenturyLink Field Event Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 

Charleston Area Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 

Charlotte Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 

Chattanooga Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 

Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . .55 

Cobb Galleria Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 

Colorado Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 

Greater Columbus Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 

Connecticut Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 

Cox Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 

Crown Center Exhibit Hall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 

Dallas Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 

Dallas Market Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 

Dayton Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 

DCU Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 

DeVos Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 

Duke Energy Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 

Dulles Expo & Conference Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 

Duluth Entertainment Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 

El Paso Convention & Performing Arts Centers . . . . . . . . . .56 

Fairplex/Sheraton Fairplex 

Hotel & Conference Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 

Fargodome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 

Florida State Fairgrounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 

Greater Fort Lauderdale/ 

Broward County Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 

Fort Worth Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 

Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 

Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 

Frontier Airlines Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 

Garden State Convention & Exhibit Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 

Gatlinburg Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 

Georgia Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 

Georgia World Congress Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 

Gillette Stadium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 

Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 

Grand Wayne Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 

Hampton Roads Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 

Hot Springs Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 

John B. Hynes Veterans 

Memorial Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 

Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium . . . . . . . . .58 

Iowa Events Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 

Kansas City Convention & Entertainment Facilities . . . . . .60 

Kansas Expocentre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 

KCI Expo Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 

Kentucky Exposition Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 

Kentucky International Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 

Knoxville Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 

The Lakeland Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 

Lansing Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 

Las Vegas Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 

Lexington Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 

Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center . . . . . . .60 

Los Angeles Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 

McCormick Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 

Meadowlands Exposition Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 

Memphis Cook Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 

Mercedes-Benz Superdome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 

Miami Airport Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 

Minneapolis Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 

Music City Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 

Myrtle Beach Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 

Nashville Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 

Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center . . . . . . .64 

Ocean Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 

Ontario Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 

Orange County Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 

Oregon Convention Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 

Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 

Overland Park Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 

Palm Beach County Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 

Palm Springs Convention Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 

Pasadena Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 

Pennsylvania Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 

Peoria Civic Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 

Phoenix Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 

Roland E. Powell Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 

Puerto Rico Convention Center Pedro Rosselló . . . . . . . . . .66 

Raleigh Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 

Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center . . . . . . .66 

Reliant Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 

Reno-Sparks Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 

Rhode Island Convention 

& Entertainment Complex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 

Greater Richmond Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 

Roberts Centre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 

Rochester Riverside Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 

Saint Paul RiverCentre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 

San Diego Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 

San Jose Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 

Sands Expo & Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 

Santa Clara Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 

Savannah International Trade & Convention Center . . . . .69 

SeaGate Convention Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 

Sevierville Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 

SHOWPLACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 

Shreveport Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 

Sioux Falls Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 

Spokane Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 

Springfield Exposition Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 

Statehouse Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 

Donald E. Stephens Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 

Suburban Collection Showplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 

Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center . . . . . . . . . . . .70 

Tampa Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 

Tucson Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 

Tulsa Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 

University of Phoenix Stadium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 

Valley Forge Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 

Virginia Beach Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 

Von Braun Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 

Walter E. Washington Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 

Washington State Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 

The Wildwoods Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 

XL Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 

Calgary TELUS Convention Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 

Metro Toronto Convention Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 

Ottawa Convention Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 

Palais des congrès de Montréal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 

Place Bonaventure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 

Québec City Convention Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 

Scotiabank Convention Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 

The Toronto Congress Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 

Vancouver Convention Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 

Winnipeg Convention Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 

World Trade & Convention Centre Halifax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 

Acapulco International Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 

Cancún Center Conventions & Exhibitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 

CECONEXPO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 

Cintermex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 

Expo Bancomer Santa Fe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 

Expo Guadalajara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 

Expo Reforma CANACO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 

Iberostar Cancún . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 

Moon Palace Golf & Spa 

Resort & Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 

Poliforum León . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 

World Trade Center Veracruz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 

World Trade Center México City 

International Exhibition & Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . .76 

John Ascuaga's Nugget Resort Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 

Bally's Las Vegas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 

Boca Raton Resort & Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 

The Broadmoor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 

Caesars Palace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 

Caribe Royale Orlando All-Suite 

Hotel & Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 

Crowne Plaza Denver International Airport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 

Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 

Disney's Contemporary Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 

Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 

Fontainebleau Miami Beach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 

Foxwoods Resort Casino 

& MGM Grand at Foxwoods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . .57 

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center . . . . . . . . . .57 

Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 

Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 

Grand Sierra Resort & Casino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 

Hilton Americas Houston Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 

Hilton Anaheim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 

Hilton Anatole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 

Hilton Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 

Hilton New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 

Hyatt Regency Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 

Hyatt Regency Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 

Hyatt Regency Miami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 

Hyatt Regency O'Hare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 

Kalahari Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 

LVH - Las Vegas Hotel & Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 

JW Marriott Desert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 

MeadowView Conference 

Resort & Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 

MGM Grand Hotel & Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 

The Mirage Hotel & Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 

Orlando World Center Marriott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 

Paris Las Vegas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 

The Peabody Orlando . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 

Pheasant Run Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 

The Renaissance Montgomery 

Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 

Renaissance Schaumburg 

Hotel & Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 

Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 

Riviera Hotel & Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 

Rosen Centre Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 

Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel & Golf Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 

Seaport Boston Hotel 

& Seaport World Trade Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 

Sheraton Dallas Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 

Sheraton Greensboro Hotel at Four Seasons/ 

Joseph S. Koury Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 

South Point Hotel & Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 

Town & Country Resort & Convention Center . . . . . . . . . . . .70 

Tropicana Las Vegas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 

Trump Taj Mahal Casino & Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 

The Venetian | The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino . . . . . . . .72 

Washington Marriott Wardman Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 

The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 

Wynn | Encore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 

HOTEL/CONVENTION CENTER COMPLEXES 

QUICK REFERENCE 

Section I: United States 

Page 

Section II: Canada 

Page 

Section III: Mexico 

Page 

All-In-One Complexes: United States 

Page

Hotel/Convention Center 

2012 Complexes of North America 


Exhibition Facility & Location 

Prime Exhibit/ 

Meeting/Flex Space 

Hotel Details 

Albuquerque Convention Center 166,546 sf/ Attached: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Albuquerque, 295 rooms, 

Albuquerque, NM 45,715, sf 7,500 sf event space, (505) 247-3344, www.doubletree.com 

www.albuquerquecc.com 

Across: Hyatt Regency Albuquerque, 395 rooms, 30,000 sf function space, 

(505) 842-1234, albuquerque.hyatt.com 

Alliant Energy Center 100,000 sf/ Attached: Clarion Suites at the Alliant Energy Center, 140 rooms, 

Madison, WI 20,000 sf 2,350 sf meeting space, (608) 284-1234, www.choicehotels.com 

www.alliantenergycenter.com 

Across: Sheraton Madison Hotel, 239 rooms, 17,500 sf event space, 

(608) 251-2300, www.sheraton.com/madison 

America’s Center 502,000 sf/ Adjacent: Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel, 917 rooms, 

St. Louis, MO 155,557 sf 50,500 sf meeting space, (314) 621-9600, www.marriott.com 

www.americascenter.org 

Anaheim Convention Center 813,000 sf/ Adjacent: Anaheim Marriott, 1,030 rooms, 82,000 sf meeting space, 

Anaheim, CA 130,000 sf (714) 750-8000, www.marriott.com; Hilton Anaheim, 1,030 rooms, 

www.anaheimconventioncenter.com 

100,000 event space, (714) 750-4321, www.hilton.com 

Arlington Convention Center 50,000 sf/ Adjacent: Sheraton Arlington Hotel, 311 rooms, 21,200 sf event space, 

Arlington, TX 8,500 sf (817) 261-8200, www.starwoodhotels.com 

www.arlingtoncc.com 

John Ascuaga’s Nugget Resort Casino 65,000 sf/ Within: 1,400 rooms, (800) 843-2427 

Reno, NV 

15,000 sf 

www.janugget.com 

The Atlanta Convention Center 502,000 sf/ Attached: The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta, 1,068 rooms, 80,000 sf 

at AmericasMart 89,300 sf meeting space, (404) 659-1400, www.starwoodhotels.com 

Atlanta, GA 

www.atlconventioncenter.com 

Atlantic City Convention Center 500,000 sf/ Attached: Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel, 502 rooms, 

Atlantic City, NJ 109,100 sf 20,500 sf event space, (609) 344-3535, www.starwoodhotels.com 

www.accenter.com 

See our ad on page 53 

Austin Convention Center 246,097 sf/ Across: Hilton Austin, 800 rooms, 80,000 sf event space, 

Austin, TX 58,000 sf/ (512) 482-8000, www.austin.hilton.com 

www.austinconventioncenter.com 

43,300 sf 

Bally’s Las Vegas 86,000 sf/ Within: 2,814 rooms, (877) 633-8702 

Las Vegas, NV 51,000 sf Attached: Paris Las Vegas (see listing) 

www.lvmeetingsbyharrahs.com 

Baltimore Convention Center 300,000 sf/ Attached: Hilton Baltimore, 757 rooms, 60,000 sf event space, (443) 573-8700, 

Baltimore, MD 85,000 sf www.hilton.com; Hyatt Regency Baltimore, 488 rooms, 40,000 sf event space, 

www.bccenter.org 

(410) 528-1234, baltimore.hyatt.com; Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel, 337 rooms, 

22,800 sf meeting space, (410) 962-8300, www.starwoodhotels.com 

Baton Rouge River Center 100,000 sf/ Across: Belle of Baton Rouge Casino & Hotel, 300 rooms, 

Baton Rouge, LA 27,000 sf 31,000 sf event space, (225) 242-2600, www.belleofbatonrouge.com 

www.brrivercenter.com 

M.C. Benton Jr. Convention Center 50,000 sf/ Attached: Embassy Suites Winston-Salem, 146 rooms, 57,000 sf event space, 

Winston-Salem, NC 40,000 sf (336) 724-2300, www.embassysuites.com; Winston-Salem Marriott, 315 rooms, 

www.twincityquarter.com 

14,557 sf meeting space, (336) 725-3500, www.marriott.com 

Big Sandy Superstore Arena 60,000 sf/ Adjacent: Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Huntington - Civic Arena, 136 rooms, 

Huntington, WV 15,000 sf 850 sf event space, (304) 523-8880, www.ichotelsgroup.com 

www.bigsandyarena.com 

Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex 220,000 sf/ Attached: Sheraton Birmingham Hotel, 757 rooms, 123,000 sf event space, 

Birmingham, AL 100,000 sf (205) 324-5000, www.starwoodhotels.com 

www.bjcc.org 

Boca Raton Resort & Club 80,000 sf Within: 1,047 rooms, (561) 447-3000 

Boca Raton, FL 

www.bocaresort.com 

52 September 2012 | Trade Show Executive 

Continued on page 52








Hotel Details 

Boston Convention & Exhibition Center 516,000 sf/ Attached: The Westin Boston Waterfront, 793 rooms, 80,000 sf 

Boston, MA 160,000 sf event space, (617) 532-4600, www.starwoodhotels.com 

www.advantageboston.com 

Branson Convention Center 50,000 sf/ Attached: Hilton Branson Convention Center, 294 rooms, 

Branson, MO 38,000 sf/ 47,000 sf meeting space, (417) 336-5400, www.hilton.com 

www.bransonconvention.com 23,000 sf Across: Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing, 242 rooms, 

1,898 sf meeting space, (417) 336-3500, www.hilton.com 

The Broadmoor 60,000 sf/ Within: 744 rooms, 44 cottage suites, (800) 633-7711 

Colorado Springs, CO 

50,000 sf 

www.broadmoor.com 

George R. Brown Convention Center 893,590 sf/ Attached: Hilton Americas-Houston (see listing) 

Houston, TX 

185,000 sf 

www.houstonconventionctr.com 

Buffalo Niagara Convention Center 64,000 sf/ Attached: Hyatt Regency Buffalo Hotel & Conference Center, 396 rooms, 

Buffalo, NY 27,170 sf 23,000 sf event space, (716) 856-1234, buffalo.hyatt.com 

www.buffaloconvention.com 

Caesars Palace 102,000 sf/ Within: 3,370 rooms, (877) 633-8702 

Las Vegas, NV 

143,000 sf 


Cajundome/Convention Center 77,303 sf/ Adjacent: Hilton Garden Inn Lafayette/Cajundome, 153 rooms, 

Lafayette, LA 20,000 sf 2,300 sf event space, (337) 291-1977, hiltongardeninn.hilton.com 

www.cajundome.com 

CAL EXPO/California 203,000 sf/ Across: Motel 6 Cal Expo Sacramento #4430, 191 rooms, 

Exposition & State Fair 59,000 sf (916) 929-5600, www.motel6.com 

Sacramento, CA 

www.calexpo.com 

Caribe Royale Orlando All-Suite 150,000 sf Within: 1,218 suites, 120 two-bedroom villas, (407) 238-8100 

Hotel & Convention Center 

meeting space 

Orlando, FL 

www.cariberoyale.com 

Century II Performing Arts 195,500 sf/ Attached: Hyatt Regency Wichita, 303 rooms, 40,248 sf event space, 

& Convention Center 27,000 sf (316) 293-1234, wichita.hyatt.com 

Wichita, KS 

Across: Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview, 200 rooms, 11,000 sf event space, 

www.century2.org 

(316) 262-5000, www.druryhotels.com/content/broadview.aspx 

CenturyLink Center Omaha 194,000 sf/ Attached: Hilton Omaha, 600 rooms, 39,000 sf event space, 

(formerly Qwest Center Omaha) 63,000 sf (402) 998-3400, www.hilton.com 

Omaha, NE 

www.centurylinkcenteromaha.com 

CenturyLink Field Event Center 353,000 sf Adjacent: Silver Cloud Hotel - Stadium, 211 rooms, 3,000 sf event space, 

(formerly Qwest Field & Event Center) 

(206) 204-9800, www.silvercloud.com 

Seattle, WA 

www.centurylinkfi eld.com 

Charleston Area Convention Center 115,000 sf Adjacent: Embassy Suites North Charleston - Airport/Hotel & Convention, 

Charleston, SC 

255 rooms, 3,000 sf event space, (843) 747-1882, www.embassysuites.com 

www.charlestonconvention.com 

Charlotte Convention Center 280,000 sf/ Across: The Westin Charlotte, 700 rooms, 44,000 sf event space, 

Charlotte, NC 90,000 sf (704) 375-2600, www.starwoodhotels.com 

www.charlotteconventionctr.com 

Chattanooga Convention Center 100,800 sf/ Attached: Chattanooga Marriott at the Convention Center, 343 rooms, 

Chattanooga, TN 43,000 sf 10,212 sf event space, (423) 756-0002, www.marriott.com 

www.chattanoogaconventioncenter.org 

Adjacent: Staybridge Suites Chattanooga Downtown Convention Center, 

124 suites, 200 sf event space, (423) 267-0900, www.ichotelsgroup.com 

Across: Days Inn Chattanooga - Rivergate, 141 rooms, (423) 266-7331, www.daysinn.com 



Complexes of North America 2012 




Hotel Details 


Cleveland Medical Mart 230,000 sf/ Adjacent: Westin Cleveland Convention Center, 481 rooms, 

& Convention Center 90,000 sf 26,000 sf event space (to open in Summer 2013) 

Cleveland, OH 

www.clevelandconventions.com 

New facility to open in Summer 2013 

Cobb Galleria Centre 144,000 sf/ Attached: Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center, 

Atlanta, GA 25,000 sf 521 rooms, 60,000 sf event space, (770) 953-4500, www.marriott.com 

www.cobbgalleria.com 

Across: Sheraton Suites Galleria - Atlanta, 278 rooms, 4,000 sf 

meeting space, (770) 955-3900, www.starwoodhotels.com 

Colorado Convention Center 584,000 sf/ Across: Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center, 1,100 rooms, 

Denver, CO 100,000 sf 60,600 sf event space, (303) 436-1234, denverregency.hyatt.com 

www.denverconvention.com 

Greater Columbus Convention Center 410,000 sf/ Attached: Crowne Plaza Hotel Columbus – Downtown, (614) 461-4100, 375 rooms, 

Columbus, OH 107,410 sf 10,247 sf event space, www.ichotelsgroup.com; Drury Inn & Suites Convention 

www.columbusconventions.com Center – Columbus, OH, 180 rooms, 3,700 sf event space, (614) 221-7008, 

www.druryhotels.com; Hyatt Regency Columbus, 633 rooms, 74,000 sf event space, 

(614) 463-1234, columbusregency.hyatt.com; Hilton Columbus Downtown, 

532 rooms, 29,000 sf event space, (614) 384-8600 (to open in November 2012) 

Across: Hampton Inn & Suites Columbus – Downtown, 179 rooms, 

2,200 sf event space, (614) 559-2000, www.hamptoninn.com 

Connecticut Convention Center 140,000 sf/ Attached: Hartford Marriott Downtown, 409 rooms, 13,500 sf event space, 

Hartford, CT 65,000 sf (860) 249-8000, www.marriott.com 

www.ctconventions.com 

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas 46,936 sf/ Within: 2,995 rooms, (702) 698-7500 

Las Vegas, NV 

150,000 sf 

www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com 

Cox Convention Center 100,000 sf/ Attached: Sheraton Oklahoma City Hotel, 396 rooms, 28,000 sf event space, 

Oklahoma City, OK 30,000 sf/ (405) 235-2780, www.sheratonokc.com; Renaissance Oklahoma City Convention 

www.coxconventioncenter.com 26,000 sf Center Hotel, 311 rooms, 66,000 sf event space, (405) 228-8000, www.marriott.com 

Crown Center Exhibit Hall 52,000 sf/ Attached: Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center, 730 rooms, 88,360 sf event space, 

Kansas City, MO 86,000 sf (816) 841-1000, www.sheratonkansascityhotel.com; The Westin Kansas City at Crown 

www.crowncenter.com 

Center, 724 rooms, 52,000 sf event space, (816) 474-4400, www.starwoodhotels.com 

Crowne Plaza Denver International Airport 70,000 sf Within: 255 rooms, (303) 371-9494 

Denver, CO 

event space 

www.ichotelsgroup.com 

Dallas Convention Center 1,018,942 sf Attached: Omni Dallas Hotel, 1,001 rooms, 110,000 sf event space, 

Dallas, TX 

(214) 744-6664, www.omnihotels.com 

www.dallasconventioncenter.com 

Dallas Market Center 214,000 sf/ Across: Hilton Anatole (see listing); Renaissance Dallas Hotel, 

Dallas, TX 200,000 sf 514 rooms, 19,000 sf event space, (214) 631-2222, www.marriott.com; 

www.dallasmarketcenter.com 

Sheraton Suites Market Center Dallas, 251 rooms, 4,000 sf event space, 

(214) 747-3000, www.starwoodhotels.com 

Dayton Convention Center 77,000 sf Attached: Crowne Plaza Dayton, 291 rooms, 12,000 sf event space, 

Dayton, OH 

(937) 224-0800, www.cpdayton.com 

www.daytonconventioncenter.com 

DCU Center 50,000 sf/ Across: Hilton Garden Inn Worcester, 199 rooms, 3,800 sf event space, 

Worcester, MA 23,636 sf (508) 753-5700, hiltongardeninn.hilton.com 

www.dcucenter.com 

DeVos Place 162,000 sf/ Attached: Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, 682 rooms, 47,000 sf event space, 

Grand Rapids, MI 32,000 sf (616) 774-2000, www.amwaygrand.com 

www.devosplace.org 

Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort 110,500 sf/ Within: 2,265 rooms, (407) 934-4500 

Lake Buena Vista, FL 

140,000 sf 

www.swandolphinmeetings.com 










Hotel Details 

Disney’s Contemporary Resort 44,250 sf/ Within: 655 rooms, (321) 939-7127 


70,750 sf fl ex space 

www.disneymeetings.com 

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort 86,000 sf/ Within: 1,900+ rooms, (321) 939-7127 




Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts 38,000 sf/ Within: 1,267 rooms, (321) 939-7127 


35,000 sf 


Duke Energy Convention Center 195,320 sf/ Attached: Millennium Hotel Cincinnati, 872 rooms, 27,000 sf event space, 

Cincinnati, OH 101,650 sf (513) 352-2100, www.millenniumhotels.com; 

www.duke-energycenter.com 

The Westin Cincinnati, 456 rooms, 32,000 sf event space, 

(513) 621-7700, www.starwoodhotels.com; Hyatt Regency Cincinnati, 

486 rooms, 33,324 sf event space, (513) 579-1234, cincinnati.hyatt.com 

Dulles Expo & Conference Center 100,000 sf Adjacent: Holiday Inn Chantilly - Dulles Expo (Airport), 232 rooms, 

Chantilly, VA 

2,246 sf meeting space, (703) 815-6060, www.ichotelsgroup.com 

www.dullesexpo.com 

Duluth Entertainment Convention Center 120,000 sf/ Hotels connected via skywalk; closest includes The Suites Hotel at Waterfront Plaza, 

Duluth, MN 55,000 sf 132 suites, 2,376 sf event space, (218) 727-4663, www.thesuitesduluth.com 

www.duluthconventioncenter.com 

El Paso Convention & 80,000 sf Across: Camino Real El Paso, 350 rooms, 36,000 sf event space, 

Performing Arts Centers 

(915) 534-3050, www.caminoreal.com 

El Paso, TX 

www.visitelpaso.com 

Fairplex/Sheraton Fairplex 235,000 sf/ Adjacent: Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center, 247 rooms, 11,000 sf 

Hotel & Conference Center 325,000 sf event space, (909) 622-2220, www.sheratonfairplex.com 

Pomona, CA 

www.fairplex.com 

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino 44,460 sf/ Within: 250 rooms, (760) 342-5000 

Indio, CA 

15,500 sf 

www.fantasyspringsresort.com 

Fargodome 110,000 sf/ Adjacent: Candlewood Suites Fargo - North Dakota State University, 72 rooms, 

Fargo, ND 16,000 sf 150 sf meeting room, (701) 235-8200, www.ichotelsgroup.com 

www.fargodome.com 

Across: Days Inn & Suites Fargo 19th Avenue/Airport Dome, 60 rooms, 

(701) 232-0000, www.daysinn.com; Homewood Suites by Hilton Fargo, 

73 rooms, 960 sf meeting space, (701) 235-3150, homewoodsuites.hilton.com 

Florida State Fairgrounds 180,000 sf/ Across: Comfort Suites at Fairgrounds-Casino, 84 rooms, 1,100 sf event space, 

Tampa, FL 25,000 sf (813) 868-7770, www.comfortsuites.com; Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites 

www.fl oridatstatefair.com 

Tampa-Fairgrounds-Casino, 76 rooms, (813) 490-1000, www.hiexpress.com 

Fontainebleau Miami Beach 107,000 sf Within: 1,504 rooms, (866) 548-5670 

Miami Beach, FL 

event space 

www.fontainebleau.com 

Greater Fort Lauderdale/ 199,526 sf/ Across: Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, 589 rooms, 21,300 sf event space, 

Broward County Convention Center 98,592 sf/ (954) 463-4000, www.fortlauderdalemarinahotel.com; Renaissance 

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 101,276 sf Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel, 236 rooms, 10,000 sf event space, 

www.ftlauderdalecc.com 

(954) 626-1700, www.marriott.com 

Fort Worth Convention Center 253,226 sf/ Across: Park Central, 100 rooms, (817) 336-2011, www.parkcentralhotel.com 

Fort Worth, TX 

58,549 sf 

www.fortworthconventioncenter.com 

Foxwoods Resort Casino & 75,000 sf/ Within: 2,200 rooms, (860) 312-3053 

MGM Grand at Foxwoods 

10,000 sf 

Mashantucket, CT 

www.foxwoods.com 







Hotel Details 


Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center 80,000 sf/ Adjacent: Hampton Inn & Suites Fredericksburg at Celebrate Virginia, 

Fredericksburg, VA 15,000 sf 122 rooms, (540) 786-5530, 1,220 sf event space, hamptoninn.hilton.com; 

www.fredericksburgexpocenter.com 

Hilton Garden Inn Fredericksburg, 148 rooms, 2,700 sf event space, 

(540) 548-8822, hiltongardeninn.hilton.com; Homewood Suites by Hilton 

Fredericksburg, 124 rooms, (540) 786-9700, homewoodsuites1.hilton.com 

Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center 98,000 sf/ Adjacent: Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Fresno, 321 rooms, 

Fresno, CA 46,372 sf 27,000 sf event space, (559) 268-1000, www.fresnoconferencehotel.com 

www.fresnoconventioncenter.com 

Frontier Airlines Center 188,695 sf/ Attached: Hilton Milwaukee Downtown, 729 rooms, 30,000 sf meeting space, 

Milwaukee, WI 76,000 sf/ (414) 271-7250, www.hiltonmilwaukee.com; Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, 

www.frontierairlinescenter.org 37,500 sf 481 rooms, 20,000 sf meeting space, (414) 276-1234, milwaukee.hyatt.com 

Across: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Milwaukee Downtown, 243 rooms, 

6,780 sf meeting space, (414) 273-2950, doubletree.hilton.com 

Garden State Convention & Exhibit Center 62,000 sf Adjacent: DoubleTree Somerset Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, 371 rooms, 

Somerset, NJ 

52,000 sf event space, (732) 469-2600, www.doubletreesomerset.com 

www.gsec.com 

Gatlinburg Convention Center 67,000 sf/ Across: Microtel Inn & Suites Gatlinburg, 86 rooms, 

Gatlinburg, TN 13,730 sf/ (865) 436-0107, www.microtelinn.com 

www.gatlinburg-tennesee.com 

81,000 sf 

Gaylord National Resort 180,000 sf/ Within: 2,000 rooms, (301) 965-2300 

& Convention Center 

165,000 sf 

National Harbor, MD 

www.gaylordnational.com 

Gaylord Opryland Resort 264,000 sf/ Within: 2,881 rooms, (615) 458-2899 


337,000 sf 

Nashville, TN 

www.gaylordhotels.com 

Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center 178,500 sf/ Within: 1,406 rooms, (407) 586-0301 

Kissimmee, FL 

121,000 sf 


Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center 180,000 sf/ Within: 1,511 rooms, (817) 778-1000 

Grapevine, TX 

220,000 sf 


Georgia Dome 102,000 sf/ Adjacent: Omni Hotel at CNN Center, 1,070 rooms, 120,000 sf 

Atlanta, GA 24,000 sf event space, (404) 659-0000, www.omnihotels.com 

www.gadome.com 

Across: Embassy Suites Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park, 321 rooms, 

7,840 sf event space, (404) 223-2300, www.embassysuites.com 

Georgia World Congress Center 1,400,000 sf/ Attached: Omni Hotel at CNN Center, 1,070 rooms, 120,000 sf 

Atlanta, GA 313,000 sf event space, (404) 659-0000, www.omnihotels.com 

www.gwcc.com 

Gillette Stadium 80,000 sf/ Adjacent: Renaissance Boston Patriot Place Hotel & Spa, 154 rooms, 

Foxborough, MA 22,750 sf 6,859 sf event space, (508) 543-5500, www.marriott.com 

www.gillettestadium.com 

Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center 440,000 sf/ Adjacent: Grand Hyatt San Antonio, 1,003 rooms, 115,000 sf event space, 

San Antonio, TX 115,646 sf (210) 224-1234, grandsanantonio.hyatt.com 

www.sahbgcc.com 

Across: San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk, 512 rooms, 12,000 sf event space, 

(210) 224-4555, www.marriott.com; Hilton Palacio del Rio, 485 rooms, 

27,000 sf event space, (210) 222-1400, www.hilton.com 

Grand Sierra Resort & Casino 131,000 sf/ Within: 2,000 rooms, (775) 789-1109 

Reno, NV 

58,000 sf 

www.grandsierraresort.com 

Grand Wayne Convention Center 50,000 sf/ Attached: Hilton Fort Wayne at the Grand Wayne Convention Center, 

Fort Wayne, IN 27,000 sf/ 246 rooms, 8,400 sf event space, (260) 420-1100, www.hilton.com 

www.grandwayne.com 










Hotel Details 

Hampton Roads Convention Center 102,600 sf/ Attached: Embassy Suites Hampton Roads - Hotel, Spa & Convention Center, 

Hampton, VA 27,377 sf 295 suites, 3,700 sf event space, (757) 827-8200, embassysuites.hilton.com 

www.thehrcc.com 

Hilton Americas-Houston 66,000 sf/ Within: 1,200 rooms, (713) 739-8000 

Houston, TX 

91,500 sf 

www.americashouston.hilton.com 

Hilton Anaheim 57,084 sf/ Within: 1,572 rooms, (714) 740-4234 

Anaheim, CA 

43,000 sf 

www.hiltonanaheimhotel.com 

Hilton Anatole 128,595 sf/ Within: 1,606 rooms, (214) 761-7400 

Dallas, TX 

165,000 sf 

www.hiltonanatole.com 

Hilton Chicago 115,000 sf/ Within: 1,544 rooms, (312) 922-4400 

Chicago, IL 

119,000 sf 

www.hiltonchicagohotel.com 

Hilton New York 51,084 sf/ Within: 1,981 rooms, (212) 261-5966 

New York, NY 

78,000 sf 

www.hiltonfamilynewyork.com 

Hot Springs Convention Center 103,000 sf/ Attached: The Austin Convention Hotel & Spa, 200 rooms, 7,000 sf event space, 

Hot Springs National Park, AR 31,100 sf/ (501) 623-6600, www.theaustinhotel.com; Embassy Suites Hot Springs Hotel & Spa, 

www.hotsprings.org 12,150 sf 246 suites, 5,200 sf event space, (501) 624-9200, www.embassysuiteshotsprings.com 

Hyatt Regency Atlanta 58,243 sf/ Within: 1,260 rooms, (404) 460-6520 

Atlanta, GA 

96,000 sf 

www.atlantaregency.hyatt.com 

Hyatt Regency Chicago 70,000 sf/ Within: 2,019 rooms, (312) 565-1234 

Chicago, IL 

112,000 sf 

www.chicagohyatt.com 

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa 100,000 sf Within: 806 rooms, (808) 661-1234 

Lahaina, Hawaii 

event space 

www.maui.hyatt.com 

Hyatt Regency Miami 28,000 sf/ Within: 612 rooms, (305) 358-1234 

Miami, FL 

72,000 sf 

www.miamiregency.hyatt.com 

Hyatt Regency O’Hare 110,000 sf Within: 1,096 rooms, (847) 696-1234 

Rosemont, IL 

event space 

www.ohare.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml 

John B. Hynes Veterans 176,000 sf/ Attached: Boston Marriott Copley Place, 1,145 rooms, 70,000 sf event space, 

Memorial Convention Center 91,000 sf (617) 236-5800, www.marriott.com; Sheraton Boston Hotel, 1,220 rooms, 60,000+ sf 

Boston, MA 

event space, (617) 236-2000, www.starwoodhotels.com; The Westin Copley Place, 

www.advantageboston.com 

Boston, 803 rooms, 54,000 sf event space, (617) 262-9600, www.starwoodhotels.com 

Indiana Convention Center 749,100 sf/ Connected via skywalk to 8 hotels. Closest includes Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, 

& Lucas Oil Stadium 251,975 sf 622 rooms, 40,000 sf event space, (317) 405-6085, www.indymarriott.com; 

Indianapolis, IN Hyatt Regency Indianapolis, 499 rooms, 35,000 sf event space, (317) 632-1234, 

www.icclos.com 

www.indianapolis.hyatt.com; The Westin Indianapolis, 573 rooms, 39,000 sf event space, 


(317) 262-8100, www.starwoodhotels.com 

Iowa Events Center 150,000 sf/ Adjacent: Des Moines Quality Inn & Suites Event Center, 155 rooms, 

Des Moines, IA 76,000 sf/ 3,200 sf event space, (515) 282-5251, www.desmoinesqualityinn.com 

www.iowaeventscenter.com 

60,000 sf 

Kalahari Resort 55,000 sf/ Within: 890 rooms, (419) 433-5086 

Sandusky, OH 

39,000 sf/ 

www.kalahariresorts.com 

26,000 sf 



HOSPITALITY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. 

ALONG WITH A STADIUM AND 7,100 HOTEL ROOMS. 

Spend less time getting around. And more time getting down to business. With the newly expanded Indiana 

Convention Center, Indianapolis now joins the top tier of cities in terms of meeting space, 

amenities, and above all, convenience. You’ll enjoy direct skywalk access to nearly 5000 

hotel rooms, and you’re never far from restaurants, shopping and more. Plus, an 

enclosed walkway connects you to Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the 2012 

Super Bowl. Find out everything Indianapolis has to offer by 

calling 317-262-3400. 

INDIANA CONVENTION CENTER & LUCAS OIL STADIUM FACILITY FEATURES 

749,110 SF Exhibit Space | 62,173 SF Ballroom Space | 126,302 SF Meeting Space | 60 Docks 

www.icclos.com








Hotel Details 

Kansas City Convention 388,800 sf/ Attached: Kansas City Marriott Downtown, 983 rooms, 91,570 sf 

& Entertainment Facilities 118,000 sf event space, (816) 421-6800, www.marriott.com 

Kansas City, MO 

www.kcconvention.com 

Kansas Expocentre 62,300 sf/ Attached: Capitol Plaza Hotel & Convention Center Topeka, 

Topeka, KS 5,750 sf 224 rooms, 32,000 sf event space, (785) 431-7200, www.capitolplazahoteltopeka.com 

www.ksexpo.com 

KCI Expo Center 70,000 sf/ Adjacent: Holiday Inn Kansas City Airport, 141 rooms, 1,550 sf 

Kansas City, MO 11,000 sf event space, (816) 801-8400, www.ichotelsgroup.com 

www.kciexpo.com 

Kentucky Exposition Center 1,100,000 sf/ Across: Crowne Plaza Louisville Hotel, 588 rooms, 50,000 sf 

Louisville, KY 100,000 sf meeting space, (502) 367-2251, www.ichotelsgroup.com 

www.kyexpo.org 

Kentucky International Convention Center 200,000 sf/ Attached: Hyatt Regency Louisville, 393 rooms, 20,600 sf event space, 

Louisville, KY 70,262 sf (502) 581-1234, louisville.hyatt.com; Louisville Marriott Downtown, 

www.kyconvention.org 

616 rooms, 35,000 sf event space, (502) 627-5045, www.marriottlouisville.com 

Knoxville Convention Center 119,922 sf/ Adjacent: Holiday Inn Knoxville Downtown Worlds Fair Park, 

Knoxville, TN 54,000 sf 286 rooms, 11,000 sf event space, (865) 522-2800, www.ichotelsgroup.com 

www.kccsmg.com 

The Lakeland Center 76,000 sf/ Attached: Hyatt Place Lakeland Center, (863) 413-1122, 127 rooms, 

Lakeland, FL 10,800 sf 1,000 sf event space, lakelandcenter.place.hyatt.com 

www.thelakelandcenter.com 

Lansing Center 72,000 sf/ Attached: Radisson Hotel Lansing at the Capitol, 256 rooms, 

Lansing, MI 25,500 sf 10,000 sf event space, (517) 482-0188, www.radisson.com 

www.lansingcenter.com 

Las Vegas Convention Center 1,940,631 sf/ Attached: LVH – Las Vegas Hotel & Casino (see listing) 

Las Vegas, NV 241,536 sf Adjacent: Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel, 548 rooms, 20,000 sf event space, 

www.vegasmeansbusiness.com 

(702) 784-5751, www.renaissancelasvegas.com 

Lexington Convention Center 66,000 sf/ Attached: Hyatt Regency Lexington, 366 rooms, 20,000 sf event space, 

Lexington, KY 40,000 sf (859) 253-1234, lexington.hyatt.com 

www.lexingtoncenter.com 

Across: Hilton Lexington/Downtown Hotel, 377 rooms, 16,000 sf event space, 

(859) 231-9000, www.lexingtondowntownhotel.com 

Long Beach Convention 270,000 sf/ Adjacent: Hyatt Regency Long Beach, 528 rooms, 22,000 sf event space, 

& Entertainment Center 82,383 sf (562) 491-1234, www.longbeach.hyatt.com 

Long Beach, CA 

Across: Renaissance Long Beach Hotel, 374 rooms, 21,000 sf event, 

www.longbeachcc.com 


Los Angeles Convention Center 720,000 sf/ Adjacent: Luxe City Center Hotel, 178 rooms, 3,000 sf event space, 

Los Angeles, CA 147,000 sf (213) 748-1291, www.luxecitycenter.com 

www.lacclink.com 

Across: JW Marriott Hotel Los Angeles L.A. Live, 878 rooms, 100,000 sf 

event space, (213) 765-8600, www.marriott.com; The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, 

123 rooms, 100,000 sf event space, (213) 743-8800, www.ritzcarlton.com 

LVH - Las Vegas Hotel & Casino 70,000 sf/ Within: 2,950 rooms, 3 villas, (702) 732-5631 

(formerly Las Vegas Hilton) 


Las Vegas, NV 

www.thelvh.com 

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino 934,731 sf/ Within: 3,211 rooms, (702) 632-7900; THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, 

Las Vegas, NV 765,269 sf 1,117 suites; Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, 424 rooms on 35th to 39th fl oors 

www.mandalaybay.com 

of Mandalay Bay Tower, (702) 632-5000, www.fourseasons.com/lasvegas 

JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa 90,000 sf/ Within: 950 rooms, (450) 293-5000 

Phoenix, AZ 

8,000 sf 

www.jwdesertridgeresort.com 

McCormick Place 2,600,000 sf/ Attached: Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, 800 rooms, 43,500 sf 

Chicago, Il 600,000 sf event space, (312) 567-1234, www.mccormickplace.hyatt.com 

www.mccormickplace.com 










Hotel Details 

Meadowlands Exposition Center 61,000 sf/ Adjacent: Embassy Suites Secaucus – Meadowlands, 261 rooms, 

Secaucus, NJ 3,578 sf 3,000 sf meeting space, (201) 864-7300, www.embassysuites.com 

www.mecexpo.com 

MeadowView Conference 88,000 sf Within: 305 rooms, (423) 578-6600 

Resort & Convention Center 

meeting space 

Kingsport, TN 

www.marriott.com 

Memphis Cook Convention Center 160,000 sf/ Attached: Memphis Marriott Downtown, 600 rooms, 13,400 sf meeting space, 

Memphis, TN 74,000 sf (901) 527-7300, www.marriott.com 

www.memphisconvention.com 

Mercedes-Benz Superdome 162,434 sf/ Attached: Hyatt Regency New Orleans, 1,193 rooms, 200,000 sf 

(formerly Louisiana Superdome) 72,000 sf event space, (504) 561-1234, neworleans.hyatt.com 

New Orleans, LA 

www.mbsuperdome.com 

MGM Grand Hotel & Casino 152,000 sf/ Within: 5,044 rooms, (702) 891-1251 

Las Vegas, NV 

501,000 sf 

www.mgmgrand.com 

Miami Airport Convention Center 108,000 sf/ Attached: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center, 

Miami, FL 64,000 sf 334 rooms, 20,000 sf event space, (305) 261-3800, www.doubletreemiamimart.com 

www.macc.com 


Minneapolis Convention Center 475,000 sf/ Attached: Millennium Hotel Minneapolis, 321 rooms, 20,000 sf event space, 

Minneapolis, MN 123,000 sf (612) 332-6000, www.millenniumhotels.com; Hilton Minneapolis, 821 rooms, 

www.minneapolisconventioncenter.com 

77,000 sf event space, (612) 376-1000, www.hilton.com 

Adjacent: Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Minneapolis - Downtown 

(Convention Center), 96 rooms, (612) 341-3300, www.ichotelsgroup.com 

Across: Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, 533 rooms, 74,000 sf event space, 

(612) 370-1234, minneapolis.hyatt.com 


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© Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau – The Official Destination Marketing Organization for Greater Miami and the Beaches.








Hotel Details 

The Mirage Hotel & Casino 90,000 sf/ Within: 3,044 rooms, (702) 791-7171 

Las Vegas, NV 

170,000 sf/ 

www.mirage.com 

113,000 sf 

Music City Center 350,000 sf Across: Omni Nashville Hotel, 800 rooms, 80,000 sf event space, 

Nashville, TN (615) 782-5300, www.omnihotels.com (to open in Fall 2013) 

www.nashvillemusiccitycenter.com 

New facility to open in Q2 2013 

Myrtle Beach Convention Center 100,800 sf Attached: Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel, 400 rooms, 

Myrtle Beach, SC 

100,000 sf event space, (843) 918-5000, www.starwoodhotels.com 

www.myrtlebeachconventioncenter.com 

Nashville Convention Center 118,675 sf/ Attached: Renaissance Nashville Hotel, 673 rooms, 31,000 sf event space, 

Nashville, TN 30,000 sf (615) 255-8400, www.marriott.com 

www.nashvilleconventionctr.com 

Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum 60,000 sf Adjacent: Long Island Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, 615 rooms, 

Uniondale, NY 

28,000 sf event space, (516) 794-3800, www.marriott.com 

www.nassaucoliseum.com 

New Orleans Ernest N. 1,100,000 sf/ Adjacent: Hilton New Orleans Riverside, 1,622 rooms, 130,000 sf event space, 

Morial Convention Center 200,000 sf (504) 561-0500, www.hilton.com 

New Orleans, LA 

Across: Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans - Convention Center, 288 rooms, 

www.mccno.com 

12,000 sf event space, (504) 566-9990, www.hamptoninn.com; New Orleans 

Downtown Marriott at the Convention Center, 331 rooms, 24,464 sf event space, 


Ocean Center 95,000 sf/ Across: Hilton Daytona Beach Resort/Ocean Walk Village, 744 rooms, 

Daytona Beach, FL 32,000 sf 60,000 sf event space, (386) 254-8200, www.hilton.com 

www.oceancenter.com 

Ontario Convention Center 115,000 sf/ Adjacent: Ayres Boutique Suites Ontario, 107 rooms, 1,000 sf event space, 

Ontario, CA 24,000 sf (909) 937-9700, www.ayreshotels.com/ontarioairport; 

www.ontariocc.com 

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Ontario Airport, 482 rooms, 27,000 sf event space, 

(909) 937-0900, doubletree1.hilton.com 

Across: Radisson Inn Ontario Airport, 200 rooms, (909) 937-6788, www.marriott.com 

Orange County Convention Center 2,100,000 sf/ Attached: Hilton Orlando, 1,417 rooms, 175,000 sf event space, 

Orlando, FL 518,790 sf (407) 313-4300, www.hilton.com 

www.occc.net 

Adjacent: Rosen Plaza Hotel, 800 rooms, 60,000 sf event space, 


(407) 996-9700, www.rosenplaza.com; Rosen Centre Hotel, 1,334 rooms, 

100,000 sf event space, (407) 996-9840, www.rosencentre.com 

Across: The Peabody Orlando (see listing) 

Oregon Convention Center 255,000 sf/ Across: Inn at the Convention Center, 97 rooms, (503) 233-6331, 

Portland, OR 52,000 sf www.innatcc.com 

www.oregoncc.org 

Orlando World Center Marriott 165,000 sf/ Within: 2,000 rooms, (407) 238-8557 

Orlando, FL 

77,000 sf 

www.marriottworldcenter.com 

Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center 100,000 sf/ Attached: Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel, 373 rooms, 

Mobile, AL 41,000 sf 44,000 sf event space, (251) 438-4000, www.marriott.com 

www.mobileconventions.com 

Overland Park Convention Center 60,000 sf/ Attached: Sheraton Overland Park Hotel at the Convention Center, 412 rooms, 

Overland Park, KS 15,000 sf 21,000 sf event space, (913) 234-2100, www.starwoodhotels.com 

www.opconventioncenter.com 

Palm Beach County Convention Center 100,000 sf/ Across: West Palm Beach Marriott, 352 rooms, 18,000 sf event space, 

West Palm Beach, FL 21,000 sf (561) 833-1234, www.marriott.com 

www.pbconventioncenter.com 

Palm Springs Convention Center 92,000 sf/ Attached: Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel, 410 rooms, 26,000 sf meeting 

Palm Springs, CA 16,000 sf space, (760) 322-6000, www.marriott.com 

www.palmspringscc.com 










Hotel Details 

Paris Las Vegas 85,000 sf/ Within: 2,916 rooms, (877) 633-8702 

Las Vegas, NV 30,000 sf Attached: Bally’s Las Vegas (see listing) 


Pasadena Convention Center 55,000 sf/ Adjacent: Sheraton Pasadena Hotel, 311 rooms, 11,500 sf meeting space, 

Pasadena, CA 28,000 sf (626) 449-4000, www.starwoodhotels.com 

www.pasadenacenter.com 


The Peabody Orlando 340,000 sf Within: 1,641 suites, (407) 352-4000 

Orlando, FL 

event space 

www.peabodyorlando.com 

Pennsylvania Convention Center 679,000 sf/ Attached: Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1,408 rooms, 92,000 sf 

Philadelphia, PA 151,196 sf event space, (215) 625-2900, www.marriott.com 

www.paconvention.com 

Adjacent: Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City, 279 rooms, 

5,600 sf event space, (215) 923-0100, www.hiltongardenphilly.com 

Across: Home2 Suites by Hilton, 246 suites, 2,000 sf event space 

(to open in Summer 2013) 

Peoria Civic Center 110,000 sf/ Across: Peoria Marriott Père Marquette, 321 rooms, 19,000 sf event space, 

Peoria, IL 45,000 sf www.hotelperemarquette.com (to open in Spring 2013); Staybridge Suites 

www.peoriaciviccenter.com 

Peoria Downtown, 105 rooms, (309) 673-7829, www.ichotelsgroup.com 

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino 62,000 sf/ Within: 1,635 rooms, (775) 689-7144 

Reno, NV 

44,000 sf 

www.peppermillreno.com 

Pheasant Run Resort 100,000 sf/ Within: 473 rooms, (800) 474-3272 

St. Charles, IL 

www.pheasantrun.com 

Phoenix Convention Center 645,500 sf/ Adjacent: Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, 1,000 rooms, 

Phoenix, AZ 177,000 sf/ 80,000 sf event space, (602) 262-2500, www.starwoodhotels.com 

www.phoenixconventioncenter.com 45,600 sf Across: Hyatt Regency Phoenix, 693 rooms, 48,000 sf event space, 

(602) 252-1234, phoenix.hyatt.com 

Roland E. Powell Convention Center 67,000 sf/ Adjacent: Maridel Motel, 37 rooms, (410) 289-7665, 

Ocean City, MD 45,000 sf/ www.maridelmotel.com 

www.ococean.com 

25,000 sf 

Puerto Rico Convention 152,700 sf/ Adjacent: Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino, 503 rooms, 40,000 sf 

Center Pedro Rosselló 36,200 sf/ event space, (787) 993-3500, www.sheratonpuertoricohotelcasino.com 

San Juan, PR 

188,900 sf 

www.prconvention.com 

Raleigh Convention Center 150,000 sf/ Attached: Raleigh Marriott City Center, 400 rooms, 15,000 event space, 

Raleigh, NC 32,601 sf/ (919) 833-1120, www.marriott.com 

www.raleighconvention.com 

32,000 sf 

Calvin L. Rampton Salt 515,000 sf/ Adjacent: Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown, 381 rooms, 

Palace Convention Center 160,000 sf 15,000 sf event space, (801) 531-7500, www.radisson.com 

Salt Lake City, UT 

Across: Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek, 510 rooms, 22,000 sf event space, 

www.saltpalace.com 

(801) 531-0800, www.marriott.com; Hilton Salt Lake City Center, 499 rooms, 

24,000 sf event space, (801) 328-2000, www.saltlakecitycenter.hilton.com 

Reliant Park 1,056,213 sf/ Adjacent: Holiday Inn Houston Reliant Park Area, 238 rooms, 

Houston, TX 439,292 sf 2,320 sf event space, (713) 790-1900, www.holidayinn.com 

www.reliantpark.com 

The Renaissance Montgomery Hotel 73,000 sf/ Within: 342 rooms, (334) 261-1100 

& Spa at the Convention Center 

30,000 sf/ 

Montgomery, AL 

4,000 sf 

www.visitingmontgomery.com 



Plan on Pasadena. 

Easily accessible. Thoroughly enjoyable. 

The LEED Gold ® certified Pasadena Convention Center has the 

facilities and event experts to help you produce a successful convention, 

meeting or trade show. Enjoy a 55,000 sq.ft. exhibit hall (expandable 

to 80,000 sq.ft.), a 25,000 sq.ft. ballroom, 29 meeting rooms, and the 

renowned 3,000-seat Civic Auditorium with onsite parking. 

Located just 11 miles from downtown Los Angeles, the Pasadena 

Convention Center is easily accessible from four regional airports and 

is within walking distance of four hotels and 275 of the best shops, 

restaurants and clubs in Southern California. 

Book today by contacting Jeanne O’Grady 

626.395.7282 | jogrady@pasadenacenter.com 

For more information, visit PasadenaCenter.com 

©2012 Pasadena Convention Center








Hotel Details 

Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel 100,000 sf/ Within: 500 rooms, (847) 303-4111 


48,000 sf 

Schaumburg, IL 

www.renaissanceschaumburg.com 

Reno-Sparks Convention Center 381,000 sf/ Attached: Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, 900 rooms, 50,000 sf event space, 

Reno, NV 110,000 sf (775) 824-4400, www.atlantiscasino.com 

www.meetrenotahoe.com 

Rhode Island Convention 100,000 sf/ Attached: The Westin Providence, 564 rooms, 22,877 sf meeting space, 

& Entertainment Complex 37,000 sf (401) 598-8000, www.starwoodhotels.com 

Providence, RI 

www.riconvention.com 


Greater Richmond Convention Center 178,159 sf/ Attached: Richmond Marriott, 410 rooms, 26,427 sf event space, 

Richmond, VA 80,000 sf (804) 643-3400, www.marriott.com 

www.richmondcenter.com 

Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino 51,000 sf/ Within: 2,563 rooms, (877) 633-8702 

Las Vegas, NV 

88,000 sf 

www.lvemeetingsbyharrahs.com 

Riviera Hotel & Casino 160,000 sf Within: 2,000 rooms, (800) 634-3414 

Las Vegas, NV 

event space 

www.rivierahotel.com 

Roberts Centre 70,000 sf Attached: Holiday Inn Wilmington Hotel, 118 rooms, (937) 283-3200, 

Wilmington, OH 

www.ichotelsgroup.com 

www.robertscentre.com 

Rochester Riverside Convention Center 50,000 sf/ Attached: Hyatt Regency Rochester, 338 rooms, 20,000 sf event space, 

Rochester, NY 23,000 sf (585) 546-1234, rochester.hyatt.com; Radisson Hotel Rochester Riverside, 

www.rrcc.com 

460 rooms, 30,000 sf event space, (585) 546-6400, www.radisson.com 

Rosen Centre Hotel 100,000 sf Within: 1,334 rooms, (407) 996-9840 

Orlando, FL 

event space 

www.rosencentre.com 

Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel & Golf Club 95,848 sf/ Within: 1,500 rooms, (407) 996-9939 

Orlando, FL 

445,000 sf 

www.rosenshinglecreek.com 

Saint Paul RiverCentre 145,182 sf/ Across: Holiday Inn St. Paul Downtown, 194 rooms, 1,784 sf event space, 

Saint Paul, MN 59,000 sf/ (651) 225-1515, www.ichotelsgroup.com 

www.rivercentre.org 

24,434 sf 

San Diego Convention Center 615,701 sf/ Adjacent: Hilton San Diego Bayfront, 1,190 rooms, 165,000 sf event space, 

San Diego, CA 204,114 sf (619) 564-3333, www.hilton.com; San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina, 

www.visitsandiego.com 

1,360 rooms, 75,000 sf event space, (619) 234-1500, www.marriott.com 

Across: Omni San Diego Hotel, 511 rooms, 27,000 sf event space, 

(619) 231-6664, www.omnihotels.com 

San Jose Convention Center 223,000 sf/ Attached: Hilton San Jose, 353 rooms, 7,621 sf event space, 

San Jose, CA 49,495 sf (408) 287-2100, www.hilton.com; San Jose Marriott, 506 rooms, 

www.sanjose.org 

21,000 sf event space, (408) 280-1300, www.sanjosemarriott.com 

Sands Expo & Convention Center 935,000 sf/ Attached: The Venetian | The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino (see listing) 

Las Vegas, NV 

31,000 sf 

www.sandsexpo.com 







Hotel Details 


Santa Clara Convention Center 100,000 sf/ Adjacent: Hyatt Regency Santa Clara, 501 rooms, 60,000 sf event space, 

Santa Clara, CA 67,500 sf (408) 200-1234, www.santaclara.hyatt.com 

www.santaclara.org 

Across: Hilton Santa Clara, 280 rooms, 7,000 sf event space, 

(408) 330-0001, www.hilton.com 

Savannah International Trade 100,000 sf/ Attached: The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, 403 rooms, 

& Convention Center 50,000 sf/ 22,887 sf event space, (912) 201-2000, www.westinsavannah.com 

Savannah, GA 

25,000 sf 

www.savtcc.com 

SeaGate Convention Centre 75,000 sf/ Attached: Park Inn Hotel Toledo, 300 rooms, 12,000 sf event space, 

Toledo, OH 17,000 sf (419) 241-3000, www.parkinn.com/toledooh 

www.toledo-seagate.com 

Seaport Boston Hotel & 118,000 sf/ Within: 428 rooms, (617) 385-4000 

Seaport World Trade Center 

95,000 sf 

Boston, MA 

www.seaportboston.com 

Sevierville Convention Center 108,261 sf/ Attached: Wilderness at the Smokies Stone Hill Lodge, 240 rooms, 

Sevierville, TN 23,102 sf 4,100 sf event space, (877) 325-9453, www.wildernessatthesmokies.com 

www.seviervilleeventscenter.com 

Lots of Choices One Decision 

From Mozart to Monster Trucks, basketball to business meetings, the Rhode Island Convention & Entertainment Complex has the 

flexibility to make your next convention or special event one to remember. Our experienced staff will work with you to choose the 

facilities and services that best fit your objectives. There are lots of options but only one decision – book your next event at the 

Rhode Island Convention & Entertainment Complex. 

Photo: Steven Schwartz 

Rhode Island 


Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau 

401.456.0200 | meetings@GoProvidence.com | GoProvidence.com 

The Dunk and Convention Center are managed by SMG and The Vets by PFM. 









Hotel Details 

Sheraton Dallas Hotel 230,000 sf Within: 1,840 rooms, (214) 922-8000 

Dallas, TX 

event space 

www.starwoodhotels.com 

Sheraton Greensboro Hotel 100,000 sf/ Within: 990 rooms, (800) 242-6556 

at Four Seasons/Joseph S. Koury 

60,000 sf 


Greensboro, NC 

www.sheratongreensboro.com 

SHOWPLACE 37,000 sf/ Across: High Point Plaza Hotel & Conference Center, 252 rooms, 12,000 sf 

High Point, NC 51,000 sf fl ex space event space, (336) 889-8888, highpointplaza.com 

www.showplace-highpoint.com 

Shreveport Convention Center 95,000 sf/ Attached: Hilton Shreveport, 313 rooms, 33,000 sf event space, 

Shreveport, LA 37,000 sf (318) 698-0900, www.hilton.com 

www.shreveportcenter.com 

Sioux Falls Convention Center 50,400 sf/ Attached: Sheraton Sioux Falls & Convention Center, 243 rooms, 3,340 sf 

Sioux Falls, SD 10,292 sf event space, (605) 331-0100, www.sheratonsiouxfalls.com 

www.siouxfallscc.com 

South Point Hotel & Casino 80,000 sf/ Within: 2,160 rooms, (702) 797-8050 

Las Vegas, NV 

56,000 sf 

www.southpointmeetings.com 

Spokane Convention Center 100,160 sf/ Attached: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Spokane City Center, 375 rooms, 

Spokane, WA 42,900 sf/ 21,000 sf event space, (509) 445-9600, www.doubletree.com 

www.spokanecenter.com 

17,390 sf 

Springfield Exposition Center 112,000 sf/ Across: University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center Springfi eld, 

Springfi eld, MO 4,375 sf 272 rooms, 39,000 sf event space, (417) 864-7333, www.upspringfi eld.com 

www.springfi eldexpo.com 

Statehouse Convention Center 83,000 sf/ Attached: The Peabody Little Rock, 418 rooms, 40,000 sf event space, 

Little Rock, AR 18,362 sf (501) 906-4000, www.peabodylittlerock.com 

www.littlerockmeetings.com 

Donald E. Stephens Convention Center 840,000 sf/ Attached: Hilton Rosemont/Chicago O’Hare, 300 rooms, 22,000 sf event 

Rosemont, IL 92,000 sf space, (847) 678-4488, www.hilton.com; Hyatt Regency O’Hare, 1,096 rooms, 

www.rosemont.com 

130,000 sf event space, (847) 696-1234, ohare.hyatt.com 


Across: Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare Hotel & Conference Center, 503 rooms, 

55,000 sf event space, (847) 671-6350, www.crowneplazaohare.com; 

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago O’Hare Airport - Rosemont, 369 rooms, 

13,500 sf event space, (847) 292-9100, www.doubletree.com, Embassy Suites 

Chicago - O’Hare Rosemont, 294 rooms, 14,000 sf event space, (847) 678-4000, 

www.embassysuites.com 

Suburban Collection Showplace 214,000 sf/ Attached: Hyatt Place, 126 rooms (to open in Spring 2013) 

Novi, MI 

30,000 sf 

www.suburbancollectionshowplace.com 

Greater Tacoma 50,000 sf/ Across: Courtyard Tacoma Downtown, 162 rooms, 6,661 sf event space, 

Convention & Trade Center 28,050 sf/ (253) 591-9100, www.marriott.com 

Tacoma, WA 

33,500 sf 

www.gtctc.org 

Tampa Convention Center 200,000 sf/ Attached: Embassy Suites Tampa - Downtown Convention Center, 360 rooms, 

Tampa, FL 42,000 sf 9,000 sf event space, (813) 769-8300, embassysuites.hilton.com 

www.TampaConventionCenter.com 

Adjacent: Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina, 719 rooms, 50,000 sf event space, 

(813) 221-4900, www.marriott.com; The Westin Tampa Harbour Island, 299 rooms, 

22,000 sf meeting space, (813) 229-5000, www.starwoodhotels.com 

Town & Country Resort 80,000 sf/ Within: 966 rooms, (619) 291-7131 


43,000 sf 

San Diego, CA 

www.towncountry.com 










Hotel Details 

Tropicana Las Vegas 60,000 sf Within: 1,200 rooms, (702) 739-2222 

Las Vegas, NV 

event space 

www.troplv.com 

Trump Taj Mahal Casino & Resort 93,000 sf/ Within: 1,250 rooms, (609) 449-6928 

Atlantic City, NJ 

58,000 sf 

www.trumptaj.com 

Tucson Convention Center 114,000 sf/ Adjacent: The Hotel Arizona at the Tucson Convention Center 

Tucson, AZ 31,564 sf (currently closed for renovations), 307 rooms, 40,000 sf event space, 

www.tucsonconventioncenter.org 

(520) 624-8711, www.tucsonconventioncenter.org 

Tulsa Convention Center 102,600 sf/ Attached: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tulsa Downtown, 417 rooms, 

Tulsa, OK 30,000 sf fl ex space 22,867 sf meeting space, (918) 587-8000, www.doubletree.com 

www.tulsaconvention.com 

University of Phoenix Stadium 160,000 sf/ Across: Renaissance Glendale Hotel & Spa, 320 rooms, 100,000 sf event 

Glendale, AZ 20,000 sf space, (623) 937-3700, www.renaissanceglendale.com 

www.universityofphoenixstadium.com 

Valley Forge Convention Center 108,000 sf/ Attached: Radisson Hotel Valley Forge, 326 rooms, 100,000 sf event space, 

King of Prussia, PA 45,500 sf (610) 337-2000, www.vfcasino.com; The Casino Tower, 160 suites, 

www.vfconventioncenter.com 

(610) 265-1500, www.vfcasino.com 

The Venetian | The Palazzo 370,052 sf/ Within: 7,093 suites, (702) 414-1000 

Resort Hotel Casino 

322,000 sf 

Las Vegas, NV 

www.venetian.com 

Virginia Beach Convention Center 150,000 sf/ Adjacent: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Virginia Beach, 292 rooms, 12,000 sf 

Virginia Beach, VA 28,929 sf event space, (757) 422-8900, www.doubletree.com 

www.vbconventioncenter.com 


Von Braun Center 125,700 sf/ Attached: Embassy Suites Huntsville – Hotel & Spa, 295 suites, 7,800 sf 

Huntsville, AL 15,000 sf meeting space, (256) 539-7373, www.embassysuiteshuntsville.com 

www.vonbrauncenter.com 

Across: Holiday Inn Huntsville Downtown, 270 rooms, 14,000 sf meeting space, 

(256) 533-1400, www.ichotelsgroup.com 

Walter E. Washington Convention Center 703,000 sf/ Adjacent: Washington Marriott Marquis 1,224 rooms, 105,000 sf event 

Washington, DC 198,000 sf/ space, (202) 962-4482, www.marriott.com (to open in 2014) 

www.eventsdc.com 

48,000 sf 

Washington Marriott Wardman Park 66,000 sf/ Within: 1,300 rooms, (202) 328-2921 

Washington, DC 

33,000 sf 

www.marriott.com/wasdt 

Washington State Convention Center 236,700 sf/ Adjacent: Sheraton Seattle Hotel, 1,258 rooms, 75,000 sf event space, 

Seattle, WA 79,133 sf/ (206) 621-9000, www.starwoodhotels.com 

www.wscc.com 

27,468 sf 

The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa 50,000 sf/ Within: 1,058 rooms, (954) 602-8601 

Hollywood, FL 

65,000 sf 

www.westin.com/diplomat 

The Wildwoods Convention Center 75,000 sf/ Across: Wildwood Days Inn & Suites, 79 rooms, (609) 522-0331, 

Wildwood, NJ 20,376 sf www.daysinnwildwood.com 

www.wildwoodsnj.com 

Wynn | Encore 96,197 sf/ Within: 4,750 rooms, (702) 770-2710 

Las Vegas, NV 

149,997 sf 

www.wynnmeetings.com 

XL Center 68,000 sf/ Attached: Hilton Hartford, 393 rooms, 15,000 sf event space, 

Hartford, CT 36,000 sf (860) 728-5151, www.hilton.com 

www.xlcenter.com 








Hotel Details 

Calgary TELUS Convention Centre 50,000 sf/ Attached: Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel, 384 rooms, 17,270 sf event 

Calgary, AB 55,000 sf space, (403) 266-7331, www.marriott.com; The Fairmont Palliser, 407 rooms, 

www.calgary-convention.com 

(403) 262-1234, www.fairmont.com/palliser; Hyatt Regency Calgary, 

355 rooms, 33,000 sf event space, (403) 717-1234, www.calgary.hyatt.com 

Metro Toronto Convention Centre 460,000 sf/ Attached: Hyatt Regency Montreal, 605 rooms, 35,000 sf meeting space, 

Toronto, ON 110,400 sf (514) 982-1234, montreal.hyatt.com; InterContinental Toronto Centre, 586 rooms, 

www.mtccc.com 

18,000 sf event space, (416) 597-1400, www.torontocentre.intercontinental.com 

Ottawa Convention Centre 55,741 sf/ Across: The Westin Ottawa, 496 rooms, 44,000 sf event space, (613) 560-7000, 

Ottawa, ON 45,915 sf/ www.thewestinottawa.com 

www.ottawaconventioncentre.com 

65,412 sf 

Palais des congrès de Montréal 498,874 sf/ Adjacent: Hyatt Regency Montreal, 605 rooms, 34,000 sf event space, 

(Convention & Exhibition Centre) 362,077 sf/ (514) 982-1234, montreal.hyatt.com; InterContinental Montreal, 357 rooms, 

Montréal, QC 265,459 sf 25,000 sf event space, (514) 987-9900, montreal.intercontinental.com 

www.congresmtl.com 

Place Bonaventure 298,000 sf/ Within, top 2 floors of center: Hilton Montreal Bonaventure, 395 rooms, 

Montreal, QC 17,000 sf 45,000 sf event space, (514) 878-2332, www.hiltonmontreal.com 

www.placebonaventure.com 

Across: Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, 1,037 rooms, 52,000 sf event space, 

(514) 861-3511, www.fairmont.com/queenelizabeth 









Hotel Details 

Québec City Convention Centre 75,000 sf/ Attached: Hilton Québec, 571 rooms, 20,000 sf event space, (418) 647-2411, 

Québec, QC 69,500 sf/ www.hiltonquebec.com; Delta Québec, 377 rooms, 19,000 sf event space, 

www.convention.qc.ca 25,000 sf (418) 647-6553, www.deltaquebec.com 

Scotiabank Convention Centre 81,000 sf/ Across: Marriott Gateway on the Falls, 405 rooms, 40,000 sf meeting space, 

Niagara Falls, ON 8,360 sf (905) 374-1077, www.marriottgatewayonthefalls.com/ 

www.fallsconventions.com 

The Toronto Congress Centre 1,000,000 sf/ Adjacent: Radisson Suite Hotel Toronto Airport, 216 suites, 1,900 sf 

Toronto, ON 105,000 sf meeting space, (416) 242-7400, www.radisson.com 

www.torontocongresscentre.com 

Across: DoubleTree by Hilton Toronto Airport, 433 rooms, 60,000 sf 

event space, (416) 244-1711, www.doubletree.com 

Vancouver Convention Centre 311,500 sf/ Attached: Fairmont Pacifi c Rim, 377 rooms, 15,000 sf event space, 

Vancouver, BC 85,000 sf/ (604) 695-5300, www.fairmontpacifi crim.com 

www.vancouverconventioncentre.ca 150,000 sf Across: The Fairmont Waterfront, 489 rooms, 24,000 sf event space, 

(604) 691-1991, www.fairmont.com/waterfront; Pan Pacifi c Vancouver, 

503 rooms, 42,000 sf event space, (604) 662-8111, 

www.panpacifi c.com/vancouver/overview.html 

Winnipeg Convention Centre 78,000 sf/ Attached: Delta Winnipeg, 393 rooms, 18,000 sf event space, 

Winnipeg, MB 82,000 sf (204) 944-72051, www.deltahotels.com 

www.wcc.mb.ca 

World Trade & Convention Centre Halifax 53,000 sf/ Attached: The Prince George Hotel, 203 rooms, 6,800 sf event space, 

Halifax, NS 55,000 sf (902) 425-1986, www.princegeorgehotel.com; Delta Barrington, 200 rooms, 

www.wtcchalifax.com 

6,000 sf meeting space, (416) 874-3000, www.deltahotels.com 





Hotel Details 

Acapulco International Center 244,169 sf/ Across: Hotel Elcano, 180 rooms, 2,508 sf meeting space, +52 (744) 435-1500, 

Acapulco, Guerrero 278,161 sf www.hotelelcano.com.mx 

www.centrointernacionalacapulco.com 

Cancún Center Conventions & Exhibitions 80,700 sf Across: Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach Cancún Resort & Spa, 602 rooms, 

Cancún, Quintana Roo 75,347 sf 85,000 sf meeting and event space, +52 (998) 881-3200, www.fi estamericana.com; 

www.cancuncenter.com 

Dreams Cancún Resort & Spa - México, 379 rooms, 6,137 sf meeting space, 

+52 (998) 848-7000, www.dreamsresorts.com; Hyatt Regency Cancún, 295 rooms, 

8,630 sf meeting space, +52 (998) 891-5555, www.cancun.regency.hyatt.com; 

Krystal Hotel Cancún, 453 rooms, 11,625 sf meeting space, +52 (988) 848-9800, 

www.krystal-hotels.com; Riu Cancún, 569 rooms, +52 (998) 848-7151, www.riu.com; 

Presidente Cancún Resort, 299 rooms, 7,204 sf meeting space, 

+52 (998) 848-8700, www.intercontinental.com 

CECONEXPO 50,000 sf/ Adjacent: Fiesta Inn Morelia, 253 rooms, 7,384 sf meeting space, 

Morelia, Michoacan 11,248 sf +52 (443) 322-8000, www.fi estamericana.com 

www.ceconexpo.com 

Cintermex 282,876 sf/ Adjacent: Holiday Inn Monterrey Parque Fundidora, 246 rooms, 3,886 sf meeting space, 

Monterrey, Nuevo Leon 110,868 sf +52 (81) 8368-6000, www.holidayinn.com 

www.cintermex.com 

Across: Hotel AntariSuites Cintermex Luxor Hotels, 146 rooms, 5,662 sf meeting space, 

+52 (81) 8318-0444, www.hotelantaris.com 

Expo Bancomer Santa Fe 348,750 sf Across: Fiesta Americana Santa Fe, 172 rooms, 11,474 sf meeting space, 

México City, Distrito Federal 64,583 sf +52 (55) 1105-5000, www.fi estamericana.com; Fiesta Inn Santa Fe, 189 rooms, 

www.expobancomer.com 

+52 (55) 1105-5100, www.fi estainn.com 



+51° 27’ 52.93” N -112° 39’ 54.5” W travelalberta.com/meetings 

REMINDER: 

THE BEST MEETINGS 

HAPPEN OUTSIDE 

THE BOARDROOM








Hotel Details 

Expo Guadalajara 753,200 sf/ Across: Hilton Guadalajara, 450 rooms, 32,955 sf meeting space, +52 (33) 3678-0505; 

Guadalajara, Jalisco 207,743 sf www.hilton.com; The Westin Guadalajara, 221 rooms, +52 (33) 3880-2700, 

www.expo-guadalajara.com 

www.starwoodhotels.com/westin; Camino Real Guadalajara, 198 rooms, 

6,641 sf meeting space, +52 (33) 3134-2424, www.caminoreal.com/guadalajara; 

Ibis Guadalajara Expo, 159 rooms, +52 (33) 3880-9600, www.ibishotel.com; 

Fiesta Inn Guadalajara Expo, 158 rooms, 1,259 sf meeting space, 

+52 (33) 3669-3200, www.fi estainn.com; Hotel Celta, 143 rooms, 

1,582 sf meeting space, +52 (33) 3880-0222, www.hotelcelta.com; Hotel City 

Express Guadalajara,145 rooms, +52 (33) 3880-3700, www.citypremios.com.mx 

Expo Reforma CANACO 69,940 sf/ Across: Misión Reforma, 164 rooms, 2,917 sf meeting space, +52 (55) 5141-0442, 

México City, Distrito Federal 63,389 sf www.hotelsmision.com; Fiesta Americana Reforma, 616 rooms, 27,200 sf 

www.exporeforma.com.mx 

meeting space, +52 (55) 5140-4100, www.fi estainn.com; Hotel Emporio Reforma, 

145 rooms, 2,174 sf meeting space, +52 (55) 5062-6161, www.hotelesemporio.com; 

Embassy Suites, 160 rooms, 1,399 sf meeting space, +52 (55) 5061-3050, 

www.embassysuitesmexicocity.com 

Iberostar Cancún 50,000 sf/ Within: 426 rooms, suites and villas, +52 (998) 881-8004 

(formerly Peninsula Convention 

48,958 sf/ 

Center at the Hilton Cancún) 

Cancún, Quintana Roo 

www.iberostar.com 

Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort 77,500 sf Within: 2,103 rooms, +52 (998) 881-6000, www.palaceresorts.com 


129,167 sf 

Cancún, Quintana Roo 

www.palaceresorts.com 

Poliforum León 447,648 sf/ Within: Courtyard by Marriott, 140 rooms, 1,602 sf meeting space 

León, Guanajuato 123,763 sf (to open in January 2013) 

www.poliforumleon.com 

Across: Hotel Real de Minas Poliforum León, 173 rooms, 15,790 sf meeting space, 

+52 (477) 710-4090, www.realdeminaspoliforum.com.mx; Real de Minas Express, 

147 rooms, +52 (477) 710-4090, www.realdeminasexpress.com.mx; 

Holiday Inn León - Convention Center, 177 rooms, 2,486 sf meeting space, 

+52 (477) 710-0040, www.ichotelsgroup.com 

World Trade Center Veracruz 96,875 sf/ Adjacent: Galería Plaza, 258 rooms, 15,058 sf meeting space, 

Boca del Rio, Veracruz 10,114 sf +52 (229) 989-0505, www.brisas.com.mx 

www.wtcveracruz.com.mx 

Across: Crowne Plaza Veracruz Torremar, 229 rooms, 15,295 sf meeting space, 

+52 (229) 989-2100, www.crowneplaza.com/cpveracruz; Hotel Mocambo, 

103 rooms, 3,500 sf meeting space, +52 (229) 922-0200, www.hotelmocambo.com.mx; 

Holiday Inn Veracruz – Boca del Rio, 155 rooms, 9,688 sf meeting space, 

+52 (229) 923-2050, ww.holidayinn.com 

World Trade Center México City 138,158 sf/ Across: Crowne Plaza Hotel de México, 310 rooms, 9,881 sf meeting space, 

Intl. Exhibition & Convention Center 56,662 sf +52 (55) 1164-1164, www.crowneplaza.com; Holiday Inn Express México City 

México City, Distrito Federal at the WTC, 217 rooms, 6,468 sf meeting space, +52 (55) 1164-1160, 

www.exposwtc.com 

www.holidayinn.com 

Knowledge is Power 

Where are you getting fresh new ideas? 

You’ll be in the know when you turn to the pages of the award-winning Trade Show 

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BY CARRI JENSEN, manager of directories 

Whether you need a quick reminder of 

shows on the horizon or are studying the 

market for potential partnerships, colocations 

or acquisitions, here is a list of 87 

of the most important trade shows scheduled 

for November. Each show is listed 

by industry category and contains both a 

wide-angle and close-up view of the event, 

the organizer, the site and projected size. 

For a list of shows coming up in the next 

12 months — searchable by field — go to 

www.TradeShowExecutive.com. 

To be considered for future editions of 

ZOOM in print and online, e-mail information 

on your show to me at cjensen@ 

tradeshowexecutive.com. 

Show Name/Management/Web Address Show Manager Dates Venue/City/State Projected Size 

ADVERTISING & MARKETING 

Sign World International Arlene George 11/29/2012 Atlantic City Convention Center 160,000 nsf 

United States Sign Council Director of Expositions 12/1/2012 Atlantic City, NJ 210 Exhibitors 

www.ussc.org 215-785-1922 5,500 Attendees 

AMUSEMENT, ENTERTAINMENT & GAMING 

IAAPA Attractions Expo Stacey Mills, CMP 11/13/2012 Orange County Convention Center 475,000 nsf 

International Association of Director, Conference 11/16/2012 Orlando, FL 1,200 Exhibitors 

Amusement Parks and Attractions & Trade Show Operations 25,000 Attendees 

www.iaapa.org 

703-836-4800 x745 

IAFE Annual Trade Show Steve Siever 11/26/2012 Paris Las Vegas/Bally's Las Vegas 35,000 nsf 

International Association of Fairs & Expositions Director of Trade Shows, 11/28/2012 Las Vegas, NV 300 Exhibitors 

www.fairsandexpos.com Membership and Sponsorships 4,500 Attendees 

417-862-5771 

APPAREL, BEAUTY, SHOES & TEXTILES 

FFANY New York Shoe Expo Phyllis Rein 11/28/2012 Hilton New York 75,000 nsf 

Fashion Footwear Association of New York Executive VP 11/30/2012 New York, NY 300 Exhibitors 

www.ffany.org 212-751-6422 x15 4,000 Attendees 

IFAI Expo Americas Shelly Arman 11/7/2012 Boston Convention 98,000 nsf 

Industrial Fabrics Association International Exhibits & Sponsorships 11/9/2012 & Exhibition Center 475 Exhibitors 

www.ifaiexpo.com 651-222-2508 x6987 Boston, MA 8,000 Attendees 

AUTOMOTIVE, TRUCKING & TRANSPORTATION 

Performance Racing Industry Trade Show Karin Davidson 11/29/2012 Orange County Convention Center 300,000 nsf 

Performance Racing Industry Trade Show Director 12/1/2012 Orlando, FL 1,100 Exhibitors 

www.performanceracing.com 949-499-5413 38,000 Attendees 

BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION 

AIA Minnesota Annual Stephanie Pelzer 11/6/2012 Minneapolis Convention Center 25,000 nsf 

Convention & Product Exposition Exhibit Sales Director 11/8/2012 Minneapolis, MN 250 Exhibitors 

Society of the American 612-338-6763 x212 2,300 Attendees 

Institute of Architects Minnesota 

www.aia-mn.org 

Architecture Exchange East Judy Cheadle 11/7/2012 Greater Richmond Convention Center NSF Not Supplied 

Virginia Society of the American Institute of Architects Exhibit Manager 11/9/2012 Richmond, VA Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.archex.net 804-644-3041 x300 Attendees Not Supplied 

ArchitectureBoston Expo (ABX) John Lewinski 11/14/2012 Boston Convention 60,000 nsf 

ResourcePlus Shows & Events Show Director 11/16/2012 & Exhibition Center 375 Exhibitors 

www.abexpo.com 617-385-5021 Boston, MA 16,000 Attendees 

Buildex Calgary Paul Maryschak 11/6/2012 Calgary Stampede Park 27,000 nsf 

Informa Canada Inc. Show Director 11/7/2012 Calgary, AB 225 Exhibitors 

www.buildexcalgary.com 403-290-1080 x192057 4,250 Attendees 

Canadian Pool & Spa Conference & Expo Robert Wood 11/28/2012 Scotiabank Convention Centre 80,000 nsf 

Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada Executive Director 11/29/2012 Niagara Falls, ON 155 Exhibitors 

www.poolandspaexpo.ca 800-879-7066 2,000 Attendees 



October 31, 2012 | Washington Marriott at Metro Center 

FIND. ATTRACT. RETAIN. GROW. 

Sam Lippman presents the Attendee Acquisition Roundtable (AAR), 

an invitation-only workshop for today’s leading convention and 

exhibition professionals. Limited to just 18 event producers/managers, 

AAR presents an unparalleled opportunity to meet, network, learn 

and share with your peers in a hands-on, interactive format that also 

includes a select group of industry and subject matter experts. 

the complete “lifecycle” of your attendees, the real key 

to effective attendee marketing 

Identify new prospects and rebuild lists to ensure a healthy, 

growing event 

prospects with the right message, at the right time, with 

the most efficient media 

conversion rates, drive more early-bird registrations and 

increase verified attendance 

Elevate registration and housing from operational necessities 

to new-found opportunities to delight attendees and burnish 

your brand 

Eliminate internal and external “silos” to enhance your attendee’s 

experience and improve retention 

is a trained facilitator and 

executive-level consultant with 35 years of hands-on 

experience as a show manager. He is the producer of 

Exhibition and Convention Executives Forum (ECEF), 

Exhibit Sales Roundtable (ESR) and Large Show 

Roundtable (LSR). 

“AAR was an incredibly positive learning experience for me and a 

key member of my team. It was refreshing to speak with Event 

Marketing professionals who face the challenge of building 

successful events. The room was full of seasoned professionals 

who shared their success stories as well as their insights. A day 

truly well spent and a good investment.” 

 

Vice President, Attendee Marketing, 1105 Media 

“AAR was great! I really enjoyed it and plan to create my own ‘circle 

of advisors’ from the group.” 

 

Vice President — Marketing & Content, Electronic Retailing Association 

Don’t delay, AAR has a history of selling out in advance. To apply or for more information, 

please visit www.largeshowroundtable.com/AAR. 

EXCLUSIVE SPONSORS 

Don Schaaf & Friends, Inc.


Leading November 2012 Shows Coming Up 


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BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION 

Construct Canada Karen Maki 11/28/2012 Metro Toronto Convention Centre 105,544 nsf 

MMPI Canada Director of Expositions 11/30/2012 Toronto, ON 666 Exhibitors 

www.constructcanada.com 416-512-3808 23,800 Attendees 

Greenbuild International Conference & Expo Noreen Burke 11/14/2012 Moscone Center 186,000 nsf 

Corcoran Expositions, Inc. Show Manager 11/15/2012 San Francisco, CA 900 Exhibitors 

www.greenbuildexpo.org 312-541-0567 20,000 Attendees 

International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo Lindsay Roberts 11/6/2012 New Orleans Ernest N. Morial 135,000 nsf 

Hanley Wood Exhibitions Show Director 11/8/2012 Convention Center 550 Exhibitors 

www.poolspapatio.com 972-536-6352 New Orleans, LA 100,000 Attendees 

STAFDA Annual Trade Show & Convention Georgia Foley 11/4/2012 Orange County Convention Center 80,000 nsf 

Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association Executive Director 11/6/2012 Orlando, FL 700 Exhibitors 

www.stafda.org 262-784-4774 5,500 Attendees 

Win-Door North America Patrick Shield 11/6/2012 Metro Toronto Convention Centre 45,000 nsf 

Shield Associates Ltd. Show Manager 11/8/2012 Toronto, ON 160 Exhibitors 

www.windoorshow.com 800-282-0003 3,800 Attendees 

COMMUNICATIONS & BROADCASTING 


SC12 Paul Graller 11/12/2012 Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace 150,000 nsf 

Hall-Erickson, Inc. VP, Show Director 11/15/2012 Convention Center 350 Exhibitors 

sc12.supercomputing.org 630-434-7779 Salt Lake City, UT 7,000 Attendees 

COMPUTERS & SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS 

Autodesk University Conference & Exhibition Cheryl Romano 11/27/2012 Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino NSF Not Supplied 

Autodesk, Inc. Event Manager 11/29/2012 Las Vegas, NV 130 Exhibitors 

au.autodesk.com 415-507-6784 9,000 Attendees 

CONSUMER GOODS & RETAIL TRADE 

PLMA's Private Label Trade Show Anthony Aloia 11/12/2012 Donald E. Stephens 210,000 nsf 

Private Label Manufacturers Association Trade Show Director 11/13/2012 Convention Center 1,100 Exhibitors 

www.plma.com 212-972-3131 Rosemont, IL 5,000 Attendees 

DENTAL 

Greater New York Dental Meeting Dr. Robert Edwab 11/25/2012 Jacob K. Javits Convention Center 180,279 nsf 

Greater New York Dental Meeting Executive Director 11/28/2012 New York, NY 683 Exhibitors 

www.gnydm.com 212-398-6922 54,000 Attendees 

EDUCATION, TRAINING, SCIENCE & RESEARCH 

AALAS National Meeting Betty Cartwright 11/5/2012 Minneapolis Convention Center 100,000 nsf 

American Association for Laboratory Animal Science Dir., Meetings & Financial Services 11/8/2012 Minneapolis, MN 300 Exhibitors 

www.aalas.org 901-754-8620 4,500 Attendees 

ACTE Annual Convention & Career Tech Expo Jim Waterhouse 11/29/2012 Georgia World Congress Center 40,000 nsf 

Association for Career & Technical Education Sales & Exhibits Manager 11/30/2012 Atlanta, GA 300 Exhibitors 

www.acteconvention.com 800-826-9972 x332 5,000 Attendees 

AMLE Annual Conf. for Middle Level Education Sally Ann DeBolt 11/8/2012 Oregon Convention Center 150,000 nsf 

Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) Meeting Manager 11/9/2012 Portland, OR 275 Exhibitors 

(formerly National Middle School Association) 614-895-4730 4,100 Attendees 

www.amle.org/annual 

Conference for the Advancement Frank Butcher 11/8/2012 American Bank Center 80,000 nsf 

of Science Teaching (CAST) Exhibits Manager 11/10/2012 Corpus Christi, TX 274 Exhibitors 

Science Teachers Association of Texas 281-424-1230 7,000 Attendees 

www.statweb.org 

CSBA Annual Education Deanna Fernandes 11/29/2012 Moscone West 25,000 nsf 

Conference & Trade Show Annual Education 11/30/2012 San Francisco, CA 300 Exhibitors 

California School Boards Association Conference Coordinator 4,000 Attendees 

www.aec.csba.org 916-669-3273 

Georgia Educational Tech. Conference (GaETC) Connie Bond 11/7/2012 Georgia International 113,000 nsf 

McRae Conferences & Trade Shows, Inc. Exhibits Manager 11/9/2012 Convention Center 280 Exhibitors 

www.mcraemeetings.com/gaetc 866-554-2382 College Park, GA 2,800 Attendees 




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MichBio Expo & Conference Wendy Wendel 11/7/2012 Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center NSF Not Supplied 

MichBio Director, Marketing & Comm. 11/8/2012 East Lansing, MI Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.michbio.org 734-527-9147 Attendees Not Supplied 

MRS Fall Meeting Show Management 11/27/2012 John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial 35,000 nsf 

Materials Research Society 724-779-2755 11/29/2012 Convention Center 307 Exhibitors 

www.mrs.org Boston, MA 6,500 Attendees 

Natl. Council for the Social Studies Annual Conf. David Bailor 11/16/2012 Washington State Convention Center 32,000 nsf 

National Council for the Social Studies Director of Meetings & Exhibits 11/18/2012 Seattle, WA 210 Exhibitors 

www.socialstudies.org/conference 301-850-7457 4,800 Attendees 

NJEA Convention Judy Laning 11/8/2012 Atlantic City Convention Center 70,000 nsf 

New Jersey Education Association Convention Convention Manager 11/9/2012 Atlantic City, NJ 600 Exhibitors 

www.njea.org 609-599-4561 40,000 Attendees 

NSTA Area Conference - Atlanta Richard Smith 11/1/2012 Georgia World Congress Center 30,000 nsf 

National Science Teachers Association Managing Director 11/3/2012 Atlanta, GA 150 Exhibitors 

www.nsta.org 703-243-7100 3,000 Attendees 

OSBA Capital Conference & Trade Show Robin Charles 11/12/2012 Greater Columbus Convention Center 74,000 nsf 

Ohio School Boards Association Trade Show Coordinator 11/13/2012 Columbus, OH 700 Exhibitors 

www.ohioschoolboards.org 614-540-4000 x282 10,000 Attendees 

School Equipment Show Joe Tucker 11/7/2012 Tampa Convention Center 40,000 nsf 

National School Supply & Equipment Association Exhibit Manager 11/9/2012 Tampa, FL 175 Exhibitors 

www.schoolequipmentshow.com 301-495-0240 x5 1,200 Attendees 

TAHPERD Annual Convention Nancy Nilson 11/28/2012 Moody Gardens 20,000 nsf 

Texas Association for Health, Exhibits Manager 11/30/2012 Galveston, TX 144 Exhibitors 

Physical Education, Recreation & Dance 512-459-1299 2,200 Attendees 

www.tahperd.org 

ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS 

Customer Engagement Technology World Lawrence Dvorchik 11/7/2012 Jacob K. Javits Convention Center 20,000 nsf 

featuring KioskCom Self Service Expo General Manager, KioskCom 11/8/2012 New York, NY 200 Exhibitors 

JD Events LLC 203-371-6322 x208 2,000 Attendees 

www.kioskcom.com 

EXHIBITION & MEETING INDUSTRY 

Exhibit Designers & Producers Association Anna Lawler 11/28/2012 Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa NSF Not Supplied 

Access Annual Conference & Showcase Sponsorship & Exhibit 11/30/2012 Palm Springs, CA 90 Exhibitors 

Red 7 Media, LLC Sales Manager 400 Attendees 

www.edpa.com 203-852-5681 

FINANCIAL, INSURANCE & LEGAL SERVICES 

National Workers' Compensation Fred Kurst 11/7/2012 Las Vegas Convention Center 45,000 nsf 

& Disability Conference ® & Expo Trade Show Sales Manager 11/8/2012 Las Vegas, NV 275 Exhibitors 

LRP Conferences, LLC 703-393-8304 2,500 Attendees 

www.wcconference.com 

FOOD & BEVERAGE 

Gourmet Food & Wine Expo Jennifer Campbell 11/15/2012 Metro Toronto Convention Centre 140,000 nsf 

Town Media/Sun Media Show Manager 11/18/2012 Toronto, ON 350 Exhibitors 

www.foodandwineexpo.ca 905-634-8003 x309 40,000 Attendees 

Kosherfest Bob Callahan 11/13/2012 Meadowlands Exposition Center 33,000 nsf 

Diversifi ed Business Communications Show Director 11/14/2012 Secaucus, NJ 350 Exhibitors 

www.kosherfest.com 207-842-5592 6,000 Attendees 

MWFPA Annual Conv. & Processing Crops Conf. Robin Fanshaw 11/27/2012 Monona Terrace Community 40,700 nsf 

Midwest Food Processors Association, Inc. Event Planner 11/29/2012 & Convention Center 165 Exhibitors 

www.mwfpa.org 608-255-9946 Madison, WI 900 Attendees 

National Chocolate Show & Jeneane Ally 11/16/12 Navy Pier 70,000 nsf 

Chicago Fine Chocolate Show Director of Operations 11/18/12 Chicago, IL 125 Exhibitors 

Unlimited Sales Group, Inc. 786-558-5234 3,500 Attendees 

www.chocolatefestival.com 

© 2012, Trade Show Executive Magazine, Oceanside, CA (760) 630-9105. 






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FOOD & BEVERAGE 

Trade Show Executive’s PROCESS EXPO Grace Cular Yee 11/3/2012 McCormick Place 200,000 nsf 

Food Processing Suppliers Assn. Director of Sales 11/6/2012 Chicago, IL 450 Exhibitors 

www.myprocessexpo.com 703-761-2600 10,000 Attendees 

SupplySide West Todd Berger 11/7/2012 Sands Expo & Convention Center/ 85,400 nsf 

Virgo Publishing, LLC Trade Show Sales Manager 11/8/2012 The Venetian | The Palazzo 560 Exhibitors 

www.supplysideshow.com 480-990-1101 Resort Hotel Casino 8,100 Attendees 

Las Vegas, NV 

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY 

Government Video Expo Denise Miller 11/28/2012 Walter E. Washington 30,000 nsf 

NewBay Media Expo Manager 11/29/2012 Convention Center 175 Exhibitors 

www.gvexpo.com 303-420-0130 Washington, DC 6,000 Attendees 

GTEC Val Kelly 11/6/2012 Ottawa Convention Centre 60,000 nsf 

UBM TechWeb Dir. of Operations & Exhibitor Services 11/7/2012 Ottawa, ON 255 Exhibitors 

www.gtec.ca 613-599-8880 x106 7,000 Attendees 


TML Annual Conference & Exhibition Gray Gilson 11/14/2012 Gaylord Texan Resort 63,800 nsf 

Texas Municipal League Exhibits Manager 11/16/2012 & Convention Center 350 Exhibitors 

www.tmlconference.org 512-231-7400 Grapevine, TX 3,000 Attendees 

HOME FURNISHINGS, INTERIOR DESIGN & LANDSCAPING 

Atlanta Fall Immediate Delivery Show Jeffrey L. Portman, Sr. 11/6/2012 The Atlanta Convention Center NSF Not Supplied 

AMC, Inc./AmericasMart Atlanta President & CEO 11/8/2012 at AmericasMart Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.americasmart.com 404-220-2200 Atlanta, GA 9,000 Attendees 

Furniture & Accessory Market - Long Beach, CA Larry Karel 11/7/2012 Long Beach Convention NSF Not Supplied 

Karel Exposition Management President 11/8/2012 & Entertainment Center Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.kemexpo.com 305-792-9990 Long Beach, CA Attendees Not Supplied 

Green Industry Show & Conference (GISC) Nigel Bowles 11/15/2012 Northlands 25,400 nsf 

Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association Trade Show Director 11/16/2012 Edmonton, AB 150 Exhibitors 

www.greenindustryshow.com 780-489-1991 2,000 Attendees 

INDUSTRIAL 

Pacific Marine Expo Bob Callahan 11/27/2012 CenturyLink Field Event Center 54,894 nsf 

Diversifi ed Business Communications Show Director 11/29/2012 Seattle, WA 352 Exhibitors 

www.pacifi cmarineexpo.com 207-842-5592 8,772 Attendees 

JEWELRY 

Intl. Jewelry Fair/General Merchandise Show Dave Harrington 11/15/2012 New Orleans Ernest N. Morial 120,000 nsf 

Helen Brett Enterprises, Inc. Show Manager 11/18/2012 Convention Center 500 Exhibitors 

www.gift2jewelry.com 630-241-9865 New Orleans, LA 37,000 Attendees 

Mid-South Jewelry & Accessories Fair Dave Harrington 11/1/2012 Memphis Cook Convention Center 40,000 nsf 

Helen Brett Enterprises, Inc. Show Manager 11/4/2012 Memphis, TN 200 Exhibitors 

www.gift2jewelry.com 630-241-9865 15,500 Attendees 

MANUFACTURING & PACKAGING 

Trade Show Executive’s Automation Fair ® Karrie Newby 11/7/2012 Pennsylvania Convention Center 70,000 nsf 

Rockwell Automation Program Manager 11/8/2012 Philadelphia, PA 120 Exhibitors 

www.automationfair.com 414-382-2000 15,000 Attendees 


FABTECH John Catalano 11/12/2012 Las Vegas Convention Center 430,000 nsf 

SME, AWS, CCAI, FMA, PMA Group Manager 11/14/2012 Las Vegas, NV 1,200 Exhibitors 

www.fabtechexpo.com 313-425-3000 25,000 Attendees 

MEDICAL & HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS 

AAGL Global Congress of Barbara Hodgson 11/5/2012 Caesars Palace 23,300 nsf 

Minimally Invasive Gynecology Marketing Director 11/9/2012 Las Vegas, NV 67 Exhibitors 

AAGL 714-503-6200 Attendees Not Supplied 

www.aagl.org 

AAO - APAO Annual Meeting Debra Rosencrance 11/10/2012 McCormick Place 220,000 nsf 

American Academy of Ophthalmology/ VP, Meeting & Exhibits 11/13/2012 Chicago, IL 500 Exhibitors 

Asia-Pacifi c Academy of Ophthalmology 415-447-0346 23,500 Attendees 

www.aao.org 




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AARC Intl. Respiratory Convention & Exhibition Kathy Blackmon 11/10/2012 New Orleans Ernest N. Morial 111,000 nsf 

American Association for Respiratory Care Convention & Meetings Manager 11/13/2012 Convention Center 200 Exhibitors 

www.aarc.org 972-243-2272 x652 New Orleans, LA 6,000 Attendees 

Abilities Expo San Jose David Korse 11/16/2012 San Jose Convention Center 30,000 nsf 

5Net4 Productions President & CEO 11/18/2012 San Jose, CA 175 Exhibitors 

www.abilitiesexpo.com 310-450-8831 x130 3,000 Attendees 

ACAAI Annual Scientific Meeting Gina Seegers 11/10/2012 Anaheim Convention Center 34,500 nsf 

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Director of Meetings & Conventions 11/12/2012 Anaheim, CA 110 Exhibitors 

www.acaai.org 847-427-1200 2,500 Attendees 

ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting Stacey Chandler 11/11/2012 Walter E. Washington 60,000 nsf 

American College of Rheumatology Director, Expositions 11/13/2012 Convention Center 180 Exhibitors 

www.acrannualmeeting.org 404-633-3777 x336 Washington, DC 13,000 Attendees 

American Heart Association Scientific Sessions Laura Gossett 11/4/2012 Los Angeles Convention Center 185,000 nsf 

American Heart Association Senior Manager, Exhibits 11/6/2012 Los Angeles, CA 350 Exhibitors 

www.americanheart.org 214-706-1847 27,000 Attendees 

American Society of Human Carrie Morin 11/7/2012 Moscone Center 22,000 nsf 

Genetics Annual Meeting Exhibits Manager 11/9/2012 San Francisco, CA 200 Exhibitors 

American Society of Human Genetics 301-634-7311 7,000 Attendees 

www.ashg.org 

AMSUS Annual Meeting Jeanette Nalman, CMP 11/12/2012 Phoenix Convention Center 30,000 nsf 

AMSUS - The Society of Federal Health Agencies Meeting Coordinator 11/14/2012 Phoenix, AZ 400 Exhibitors 

www.amsus.org 301-897-8800 4,000 Attendees 

ASHA Convention Ellen Shortill 11/15/2012 Georgia World Congress Center 45,000 nsf 

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Director, Conventions & Meetings 11/17/2012 Atlanta, GA 350 Exhibitors 

www.asha.org/asha2012 301-296-5700 12,000 Attendees 

CAHF Annual Convention & Expo Sherry Hall 11/12/2012 Palm Springs Convention Center 46,273 nsf 

California Association of Health Facilities Meeting Coord./ Exposition Manager 11/13/2012 Palm Springs, CA 230 Exhibitors 

www.cahfconvention.com 916-441-6400 x204 985 Attendees 

HealthAchieve Isabella Wai 11/5/2012 Metro Toronto Convention Centre 35,000 nsf 

Ontario Hospital Association Director of Convention Exhibits 11/7/2012 Toronto, ON 260 Exhibitors 

www.healthachieve.com 416-205-1354 6,500 Attendees 

Kidney Week Cele Fogarty 11/1/2012 San Diego Convention Center 52,600 nsf 

SmithBucklin Corporation Convention Director 11/3/2012 San Diego, CA 163 Exhibitors 

www.asn-online.org 202-367-1146 12,772 Attendees 

The Liver Meeting ® Denise Seise 11/10/2012 John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial 25,000 nsf 

American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Dir., Exhibits & Professional Services 11/12/2012 Convention Center 65 Exhibitors 

www.aasld.org 703-299-9766 Boston, MA 10,000 Attendees 

Pri-Med East Stephen Varraso 11/15/2012 Boston Convention 20,000 nsf 

DBC Pri-Med (a division of Diversifi ed VP, Operations 11/18/2012 & Exhibition Center 100 Exhibitors 

Business Communications) 617-406-4200 Boston, MA 4,700 Attendees 

www.pri-med.com 

RSNA Scientific Assembly Steve Drew 11/25/2012 McCormick Place 450,000 nsf 

& Annual Meeting Assistant Executive Director, 11/28/2012 Chicago, IL 660 Exhibitors 

Radiological Society of North America Scientifi c Assembly 59,000 Attendees 

www.rsna.org 630-571-7879 

PLANT ENGINEERING & OPERATIONS 

Southwest Facilities Expo Lisa Nagle 11/7/2012 Phoenix Convention Center NSF Not Supplied 

Cygnus Business Media Show Manager 11/8/2012 Phoenix, AZ Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.facilitiesexpo.com 800-827-8009 x4402 Attendees Not Supplied 

POLICE, FIRE, SECURITY & EMERGENCY SERVICES 

Industrial Fire, Safety & Security Jason Smith 11/14/2012 New Orleans Ernest N. Morial 21,000 nsf 

Conference & Exhibition Sales Manager 11/15/2012 Convention Center 185 Exhibitors 

The TradeFair Group 713-343-1886 New Orleans, LA 1,600 Attendees 

www.ifssevent.com 

© 2012, Trade Show Executive Magazine, Oceanside, CA (760) 630-9105. 






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REAL ESTATE, BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES & LAND DEVELOPMENT 

The Franchise & Business Leslie Lawrence 11/17/2012 Birmingham-Jefferson NSF Not Supplied 

Opportunities Expo - Birmingham Show Manager 11/18/2012 Convention Complex Exhibitors Not Supplied 

National Event Management 905-477-2677 x237 Birmingham, AL Attendees Not Supplied 

www.franchiseshowinfo.com 

The Franchise & Business Leslie Lawrence 11/10/2012 Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel NSF Not Supplied 

Opportunities Expo - Chicago Show Manager 11/11/2012 & Convention Center Exhibitors Not Supplied 

National Event Management 905-477-2677 x237 Schaumburg, IL Attendees Not Supplied 

www.franchiseshowinfo.com 

REALTORS ® Conference & Expo Paula Fauth, CEM 11/9/2012 Orange County Convention Center 110,000 nsf 

Hall-Erickson, Inc. Show Director 11/12/2012 Orlando, FL 400 Exhibitors 

www.realtor.org/conference 630-434-7779 20,000 Attendees 

RELIGION 

AAR Annual Meeting Robert Puckett 11/17/2012 McCormick Place 20,000 nsf 

American Academy of Religion Director of Meetings 11/20/2012 Chicago, IL 125 Exhibitors 

www.aarweb.org 404-727-3049 5,000 Attendees 

SPORTING GOODS & RECREATION 

Athletic Business Conference & Expo Sue Searls 11/29/2012 New Orleans Ernest N. Morial 70,000 nsf 

Athletic Business Media Inc. Trade Show Director 11/30/2012 Convention Center 330 Exhibitors 

www.athleticbusinessconference.com 608-249-0186 New Orleans, LA 3,300 Attendees 

DEMA Show Jenny Kamalian 11/14/2012 Sands Expo & Convention Center 127,000 nsf 

The Diving Equipment & Marketing Association Show Director 11/17/2012 Las Vegas, NV 600 Exhibitors 

www.demashow.com 703-706-8227 9,000 Attendees 

Annual National RV Trade Show Mike Hutya 11/27/2012 Kentucky Exposition Center 740,000 nsf 

Recreation Vehicle Industry Association VP of Meetings & Shows 11/29/2012 Louisville, KY 315 Exhibitors 

www.rvia.org 703-620-6003 10,000 Attendees 

Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo Jennifer Schwartz 11/29/2012 Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino 33,800 nsf 

National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds Senior Director of Marketing, 11/30/2012 Las Vegas, NV 200 Exhibitors 

www.arvc.org Communications & Partnerships 1,200 Attendees 

303-681-0401 x114 

TRAVEL, HOTELS & RESTAURANTS 

HOST, BC’s Lodging + Food + Drink Expo George Acs 11/5/2012 Vancouver Convention Centre 27,500 nsf 

Executive Event Production Inc. Partner 11/6/2012 Vancouver, BC 200 Exhibitors 

www.hostexpobc.ca 604-689-8651 5,000 Attendees 

International Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Show Lynn White 11/11/2012 Jacob K. Javits Convention Center 146,000 nsf 

GLM Show Manager 11/13/2012 New York, NY 700 Exhibitors 

www.ihmrs.com 914-421-3249 25,000 Attendees 

Luxury Travel Expo Alicia Evanko 11/28/2012 The Venetian | The Palazzo Resort 70,000 nsf 

Questex Media Group LLC Show Director 11/29/2012 Hotel Casino 500 Exhibitors 

www.ltxinternational.com 212-895-8266 Las Vegas, NV 3,000 Attendees 

WASTE MANAGEMENT 

Canadian Waste & Recycling Expo Arnie Gess 11/14/2012 International Centre Toronto 50,000 nsf 

Messe Frankfurt (Canada) Consultant 11/15/2012 Toronto, ON 225 Exhibitors 

www.cwre.ca 403-589-4832 2,500 Attendees 

WATER, ENERGY & POWER 

CLEAN GULF Conference & Exhibition Jason Smith 11/13/2012 New Orleans Ernest N. Morial 33,400 nsf 

The TradeFair Group Sales Manager 11/15/2012 Convention Center 286 Exhibitors 

www.cleangulf.org 713-343-1886 New Orleans, LA 2,900 Attendees 

Irrigation Show & Education Conference Sandy Fridy 11/4/2012 Orange County Convention Center 70,000 nsf 

Irrigation Association ® Tradeshow & Meetings Manager 11/5/2012 Orlando, FL 300 Exhibitors 

www.irrigationshow.org 703-536-7080 5,000 Attendees 

Total Energy USA Vinnie Polito 11/27/2012 George R. Brown Convention Center NSF Not Supplied 

Total Energy USA President 11/29/2012 Houston, TX Exhibitors Not Supplied 

totalenergyusa.com 619-298-1445 Attendees Not Supplied 


Dedicated 

to the advancement of the exhibition, 

meetings and special events industry. 

Since 1970, ESCA has provided a unifi ed 

voice for service contractors and their 

partners in the exhibition industry. 

Through education, information exchange 

and the level of professionalism 

shared by members and their customers, 

ESCA promotes cooperation 

among all areas of the industry. 

With more than 185 members throughout 

the United States, Puerto Rico, 

Canada and Mexico, ESCA maintains 

alliances with ASAE, CEIR, CIC, 

DMAI, EDPA, IAEE, IAVM, ICEEM 

and SISO to promote the 

exhibition industry and our 

member benefits. 

5068 West Plano Parkway, Suite 300 Plano, TX 75093 

972.447.8210 www.esca.org

PEOPLE 

Bob O'Loughlin 

Passes Away 

Bob O’Loughlin, the name and 

face of consumer shows in Portland 

and Tacoma, WA, passed 

away of natural causes at his 

home on August 17. He was 80. 

The retired leader of O’Loughlin 

Trade Shows introduced millions 

of showgoers to the possibilities of outdoor adventures with 

shows geared to boating, fi shing, hunting, camping and home and 

garden. The fourth-generation family-owned business is known 

today for the Portland Home & Garden Show, Portland Boat 

Show and Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s Show, all of which 

have been staged for more than 35 years. Bill O’Loughlin, Bob’s 

son and current company president, said that his father’s passion 

was infectious — although his attention to even the smallest detail 

sometimes drove family members crazy. “In the end, you knew 

there was method to the madness,” he said. Reach Bill at (503) 

246-8291 or info@otshows.com 

After serving as vice 

president of operations for 

nearly five years, MICHELLE 

MONTEFERRANTE has 

left the World Market Center 

(WMC) Las Vegas and relocated 

to Southern California 

with her husband. Monteferrante 

handled operations for 

WMC’s Summer and Winter 

Las Vegas Markets. International 

Market Centers (IMC), 

parent company of WMC 

and 14 market center properties 

in High Point, NC, said 

the company is restructuring 

operating positions around 

servicing both High Point 

and Las Vegas, and Monteferrante’s 

position will not 

be filled. PEDRO ZAPATA, 

who joined IMC in April 

as chief operating officer, 

will lead IMC operations on 

both coasts. Reach Michelle 

at (702) 491-7782 or michellemonteferrante@gmail.com; 

Pedro at (702) 599-8172 or 

pzapata@imcenters. 

Index to Advertisers 

Atlantic City Convention 

& Visitors Authority 

www.accva.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 45 

Attendee Acquisition Roundtable 

www.largeshowroundtable.com/AAR . . . . . . . p. 79 

Baton Rouge River Center 

www.brrivercenter.com . . . . . . . . . p.53-A, Gatefold 

Boston Convention Marketing Center 

www.advantageboston.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 3 

Choose Chicago 

www.choosechicago.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 7 

CompuSystems, Inc. 

www.compusystems.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 36-41 

Cox Convention Center 

www.coxconventioncenter.com. . . . . . . . . . p. 53-B, 

Gatefold 

Direct Energy Centre 

www.directenergycentre.com . . . . . . . . . . . p. 53-A, 

Gatefold 

Exhibition Services & 

Contractors Association (ESCA) 

www.esca.org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 

Exhibitor Insurance 

www.exhibitorinsurance.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 69 

Global Spectrum 

www.global-spectrum.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 23-27 

Hampton Roads Convention Center 

www.thehrcc.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 53-A, Gatefold 

Hargrove, Inc. 

www.hargroveinc.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cover 3 

International Association of 

Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) 

www.iaee.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 13 

Indiana Convention Center 

& Lucas Oil Stadium 

www.icclos.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 51 

Knoxville Convention Center 

www.kccsmg.com . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 53-B, Gatefold 

Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau 

www.miamiandbeaches.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 55 

Map Your Show 

www.mapyourshow.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cover 2 

McCormick Place 

www.mccormickplace.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 53-B, 

Gatefold 

Nexxt Show 

www.nexxtshow.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cover 4 

Orange County Convention Center 

www.occc.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 57 

Pasadena Convention Center 

www.pasadenacenter.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 59 

pc/nametag, Inc. 

www.pcnametag.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 22 

Providence Warwick 

Convention & Visitors Bureau 

www.goprovidence.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 61 

Rhode Island Convention 

& Entertainment Complex 

www.riconvention.com . . . . . . . . .p. 53-B, Gatefold 

Rosemont Convention & Visitors Bureau 

www.rosemont.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 63 

Seattle's Convention & Visitors Bureau 

www.visitseattle.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . Insert between 

p. 11 & 12 

SINGEX 

www.singaporeexpo.com.sg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 19 

SMG 

www.smgworld.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 53, Gatefold 

TSE Gold 100 Awards & Summit 

www.tradeshowexecutive.com . . . . . . . . . . p. 20-21 

Travel Alberta 

www.travelalberta.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 67 

Ungerboeck Systems International, Inc. 

www.ungerboeck.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.28-35 

United Service Companies 

www.unitedhq.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p.77 

Virginia Beach Meetings & Conventions 

www.visitvirginiabeach.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.65 

Wilmington Convention Center 

www.businessmadecasual.com . . . . . . . . . .p.53-A, 

Gatefold 


When You 

Want Peace 

of Mind, Think 

Hargrove. 

A trade show that runs smoothly from 

beginning to end is no easy feat. Hargrove has 

the experience and expertise as a general 

services contractor to make it happen. 

We handle your long to-do list with a 

highly detailed preplanning experience. 

Your dedicated team includes design 

professionals ready to bring fresh ideas to 

your show’s look and exhibitor care experts 

 

technology, sustainability, and freight solutions 

deliver real value to your bottom line – while 

providing peace of mind. 

Client 

Experience 

Idea 

Lab 

Exhibitor 

Care 

Client 

Connection 

Green 

Focus 

Sponsor 

Source 

Ship 

Trak 

Have a cup of coffee on Hargrove. 

Visit hargroveinc.com to learn more about how Hargrove delivers 

peace of mind. While on our site, answer a few questions, and we’ll 

send you a complimentary cup of coffee.

It's not about being the biggest, but the very best. 

It's not about having the most customers, but the most customer focus. 

It's not about being the first to offer new products, but the first with genuine game changers. 

Follow the NEW leader . . . and never look back. 

Call us at 877.836.3131 or visit NexxtShow.com

Section I - Trade Show Executive

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