the July 2011 Issue in PDF Format - Trade Show Executive

Trade Show Executive 

News, Views and Tools for Trade Show and July 2011 

Kathy 

Doyle 

Taking Corporate Events to the Next Level 

PLUS 

>>Exhibitor and 

Attendee Stats Fall 

Slightly in the Red 

>>TSE’s Forecast 

Board Says Long & 

Tricky Road Ahead 

>>Eco Movement 

Triggers Deeper 

Shades of Green 

www.TradeShowExecutive.com

Green with Ease. 

At Champion, we’re committed to continuously improving 

ways to create environmentally sustainable events and 

help show organizers and exhibitors execute successful 

Green Strategies with ease. Our Green Task Force Seal 

of Approval helps identify the sustainable event products 

we provide. To receive the seal, products must meet our 

Task Force’s criteria. Learn more about our Seal and 

Solutions at www.championexpo.com/green. 

Champion Exposition Services is proud to be a sponsor of 

the Green Meetings Industry Council and Champion 

Shipping Services is a proud member of the SmartWay 

Transport Partnership.

THAT’S THE 

BOSTON 

ADVANTAGE 

Arrange a site visit today. Call 877.393.3393 or visit www.AdvantageBOSTON.com 

BOSTON. MAKING CONVENTION HISTORY. 

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority owns and operates the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and the Hynes Convention Center.


Contents 

JULY 2011 

VOLUME 12 NUMBER 7 

COVER STORY 

26 Power Lunch 

with Kathy Doyle 

As director of Cisco Systems’ conference 

department, Kathy Doyle plays host to 

the world. Cisco’s five face-to-face events 

complement its hybrid/virtual events which 

attract 60,000 participants and have helped 

transform the corporate events landscape. 

EXPOSITION FORECAST 

12 Trending and Spending 

The post-recession economy continues to evolve, 

but TSE’s Exposition Forecasting Board remains 

cautiously optimistic. 

26 

TSE DASHBOARD 

18 Monthly Trade 

Show Metrics 

for May 2011 

Performance metrics for exhibitors & 

attendance dip slightly in the red. Big 

winners in growth however are NRA 

Restaurant Show and LIGHTFAIR. 

10% 

5% 

0% 

(5)% 

(10)% 

(15)% 

(20)% 

ATTENDEES 

JUN 

JUL 

AUG 

SEP 

OCT 

NOV 

DEC 

JAN 

FEB 

MAR 

APR 

MAY 

2010 2011 

FEATURE 

32 Going Green 

Guidebook 

Green is becoming routine. The march 

to sustainability continued forward 

through the recession and is poised 

for the next phase of its development. 

Trade Show Executive, The Gold Standard, Winner of: 

Copyright © 2011 by Trade Show Executive (ISSN Number 2151-7568) 

July 2011 issue, Volume 12, Number 7. All rights reserved. Trade Show Executive 

is published monthly by Trade Show Executive Inc., 4167 Avenida de la Plata, Suite 

114, Oceanside, CA 92056-6029. ® Trade Show Executive is a registered trademark 

of Trade Show Executive Inc. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced, 

stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the 

written permission of the publisher. 

2005 

• GRAND AWARD, Best Writing 

• Best How-To Writing 

• Best Interviews 

& Personal Profi les 

• Most Improved Magazines 

& Journals 

• GRAND AWARD, Best Writing 

• Best Overall Issue 


• Best Design 

• Best Cover 

• Best News Writing 

• Best Feature Writing 


• Best Redesign 

• Most Improved Magazine 

• GRAND AWARD, Best 

Design & Illustration 

• Best Column 

• Best Feature Series Writing 


• Best Cover 

POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to Richard Magaña, Circulation Manager, 

Trade Show Executive magazine, P.O. Box 16435, North Hollywood, CA 91615. 

Periodicals postage paid at Oceanside, CA and additional mailing offi ces. Copying 

done for other than personal or internal reference without the express permission of 

Trade Show Executive is prohibited. Address requests for special permission to the 

Publisher. Reprints and back issues available upon request. Printed in the United 

States. Bulk Business Mail paid at Oceanside, CA. 

4 July 2011 | Trade Show Executive

6 Month in Review 

Catch up on the most significant 

developments of the past month 

• Freeman Acquires Champion, 

Fern and Immersa 

• McCormick Place loses in court; 

wins with Riggers union 

• GLM for sale 

10 Looking Ahead 

How are the major shows opening in September shaping up? 

11 Flashes from the Field 

Read breaking news on: 

• UBM 

• New York Intl. Gift Fair 

• CompuSystems, Inc. 

• Meeting Professionals Intl. 

40 ZOOM 

The Trade Show Locator 

Trade Show Executive presents the most 

important shows scheduled for August 

and lists them by industry. 

49 People in the News 

• Hawarden 

• Decoteau 

• Carr 

50 Parting Shots 

50 Index to Advertisers 

10 18 

• Brice 

• Evans 

• EMAP, Mack Brooks team up in U.K. 

• MAGIC aligns with surfing retailers 

• L.A. forms TMD; adds hotel fee 

• ACME 

• Memphis Cook 

Convention Center 

• Austin Convention Center 

• ACME 

ZOOM Presents the Leading 

Shows Coming Up in North America 

BY LETICIA COTTON, editorial coordinator 

Whether you need a quick reminder of shows on projected size. For a list of shows coming up in the 

the horizon or are studying the market for potential next 12 months — searchable by each field — go to 

partnerships, co-locations or acquisitions, here www.TradeShowExecutive.com 

is a list of 77 of the most important trade shows 

To be considered for future editions of ZOOM in 

scheduled for August. Each show is listed by industry print and online, e-mail information on your show to 

category and contains both a wide-angle and closeup 

view of the event, the organizer, the site and 

me at lcotton@tradeshowexecutive.com 

me/Management/Web Address Show Manager Dates Venue/City/State Projected Size 

Center 40,000 nsf 

RTISING & MARKETING 

day Preview I Show Mary Upton VP of Trade 215-953-3197 9/14/15 Sands 9/15/15 Las Vegas, NV 330 Exhibitors 

Attendees 

9/21/15 McCormick Place NSF Not Supplied 

Chicago, IL Exhibitors Not Supplied 

Attendees Not Supplied 

S pplied 

follow us on 

twitter.com/TradeShowExec 

EDITORIAL & PUBLISHING HEADQUARTERS 

Trade Show Executive magazine 

4167 Avenida de la Plata, Suite 114, Oceanside, CA 92056 

Tel.: (760) 630-9105 Fax: (877) 483-8912 

EDITORIAL & RESEARCH 

Darlene Gudea, PUBLISHER & EDITOR 

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

Carol Andrews, EDITOR-AT-LARGE 

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

Carri Jensen, MANAGER OF DIRECTORIES 

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

Hil Anderson, SENIOR EDITOR 

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

Renee Di Iulio, SENIOR EDITOR 

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

Frank Chow, CHIEF ECONOMIST 

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

Bob Dallmeyer, COLUMNIST 

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

Danica Tormohlen, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR 

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

EVENTS 

Diane Bjorklund, VICE PRESIDENT OF EVENTS 

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

SALES & MARKETING 

Irene Sperling, VICE PRESIDENT/ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER 

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

Linda Braue, ADVERTISING MANAGER 

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

Rafael Hernández, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, LATIN AMERICA 

+52 (55) 2455-3545 ext. 110 • direccion.mcc@masexpos.com 

Quentin Chan, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, ASIA 

(852) 23661106 • QuentinChan@leadingm.com 

DESIGN & PRODUCTION 

Goss Keller Martinez, Inc. (GKM) • www.gkminc.com 

Fernando Martinez, CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

(760) 438-8100 ext. 114 • fmm@gkminc.com 

Kathleen Maloney, ART DIRECTOR 

(760) 438-8100 ext. 117 • kdm@gkminc.com 

Leticia Cotton, PRODUCTION & EDITORIAL COORDINATOR 

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

TRADE SHOW EXECUTIVE MEDIA GROUP - BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Richard A. Simon, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD 

Mark Feldman, VICE CHAIRMAN 

Darlene Gudea, PRESIDENT 

Joan Feldman, VICE PRESIDENT 

MEDIA PARTNERS: 

CHANGE OF ADDRESS AND NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS: Richard Magaña, Circulation Manager, 

Trade Show Executive magazine • P.O. Box 16435 • North Hollywood, CA 91615 • Phone: (818) 286-3152 

Toll-Free Fax: (877) 483-8912. Please visit us at tsx.magserv.com and complete the online form for a free subscription. 

MEMBER OF: 

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Subscriptions are free to qualified show management executives who fit the criteria 

and sign a qualification card annually. All others may purchase an annual subscription for $119. ($129 in Canada and 

Mexico; $149 overseas.) Single copies: $14.95 per issue, plus $5 for shipping and handling; TSE’s directory of Who’s 

Who Among Independent Show Organizers is $129; TSE’s directory of the World’s Top Convention Centers is $129; 

TSE’s directory of the Gold 100 Trade Shows is $159. 

www.TradeShowExecutive | July 2011 5

MONTH IN REVIEW 

Freeman Acquires Champion, 

Fern and Immersa in Blockbuster Deal 

BY HIL ANDERSON, senior editor 

Dallas, TX – Freeman acquired Wheelhouse 

Solutions and its subsidiaries – Champion 

Exposition Services, Fern Exposition & 

Event Services and Immersa Marketing – 

in a deal that will fold Champion into the 

Freeman brand while leaving Immersa and 

Fern as standalone subsidiaries of Freeman. 

Terms of the deal were not revealed. The 

sale by the private equity owners of Wheelhouse 

Solutions was not unexpected and 

adds some major new events to Freeman’s 

Over the years, 

Freeman has been in 

the market to acquire 

companies that 

improve the service 

to our customers. 

Joe Popolo 

CEO OF FREEMAN 

portfolio. Champion, which provides event 

marketing and booth design services, was 

the official service contractor for three 

Trade Show Executive (TSE) Gold 100 shows 

in 2009. By comparison, Freeman was the 

leading contractor with 57 Gold 100 events. 

Global Experience Specialists (GES) had 27. 

Robert Priest-Heck, CEO of Wheelhouse, 

told TSE he will join Freeman as 

executive vice president, reporting to 

CEO Joseph Popolo. Aaron Bludworth 

will remain COO of Fern, reporting to 

Freeman COO Albert Chew. 

While there are differences in 

technology offerings and business 

strategies, Freeman and the Wheelhouse 

companies are fairly similar in their 

services and corporate cultures. “Over the 

years, Freeman has been in the market 

to acquire companies that improve the 

service to our customers,” Popolo told 

Trade Show Executive. “We ran this deal 

through the filters we have … and it hit 

the mark and we negotiated a satisfactory 

deal.” While the financial information 

for the transaction was not revealed, the 

acquisition did not require any new stock 

issues, Popolo said. 

Looking Forward 

Popolo said joining forces with Champion 

opens the door for further growth in the 

corporate event market. Freeman is also 

looking at expanding its international 

presence. The company is opening a 

London office this year. 

In the U.S., the acquisition will give 

Freeman a stronger presence in the 

association market. Immersa’s expertise in 

event marketing is considered a promising 

asset in serving not-for-profit organizations 

that have likely seen their budgets 

pinched by the recession. Immersa and its 

two sister firms will benefit from a deeper 

“bench” of personnel, infrastructure and 

technology in virtually every major trade 

show city in the U.S. 

“When the opportunity to join Freeman 

arose, we felt like it was an incredible 

opportunity for our customers,” said 

Priest-Heck. “We’re also keeping the lion’s 

share of our staff,” Priest-Heck told TSE. 

“They will be integrated into Freeman.” 

Bigger and Better 

The addition of the Wheelhouse assets 

bolsters Freeman’s already formidable 

profile. Freeman services more than 3,000 

exhibitions annually and another 10,000 

corporate and special events. Its revenues 

for the 2010 fiscal year were more than 

$1.14 billion. 

Dallas-based Freeman has 3,900 fulltime 

and 29,000 part-time employees operating 

in 40 U.S. cities. Freeman’s Employee 

Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), which was 

launched 30 years ago, holds 38% of the 

company’s shares. Wheelhouse’s combined 

Joe Popolo, 

CEO of Freeman 

Robert Priest-Heck, 

CEO of Wheelhouse 

companies total 900 workers and about 

1,500 events. 

“Whether it is technology tools or 

marketing solutions that help customers 

think about how to manage their entire 

communities, both Wheelhouse and 

Freeman are going down that same path,” 

Priest-Heck said. “We saw so many 

synergies for the customer.” 

Stars in Alignment 

Priest-Heck said Wheelhouse was not in any 

financial difficulties when it agreed to the 

acquisition. The company made it through 

the recession and had a very successful 

month in May. Popolo told TSE the equity 

ownership of Wheelhouse was at a point 

where it needed to refinance the company 

and apparently decided amid a “market 

check” that a sale was an attractive option. 

The improving prospects for the trade 

show industry also made it an opportune 

time to pull the trigger. “Our ownership 

bought the business five years ago, which 

is a pretty traditional investment horizon 

for a private equity firm,” Priest-Heck 

said. “There is still a lot of growth in the 

market because we have not yet seen a full 

recovery,” Priest-Heck said. “When things 

are heading in a positive direction, it is a 

good time to look at new opportunities.” 

Reach Joseph Popolo at (214) 445-1000 

or joe.popolo@freemanco.com; Robert 

Priest-Heck at (415) 230-3000 or bph@ 

wheelhousesolutions.com 


McCormick Place Deal with 

Riggers Offsets Court Setback 


Chicago, IL – A potentially pivotal 

agreement with union riggers provided 

show organizers with a shot of new 

optimism that the welcome labor reforms 

at McCormick Place could be salvaged. 

The new contract between the 

riggers and the two major general service 

contractors serving McCormick Place 

included acceptance of the reforms. The 

development could provide a precedent 

for the other McCormick Place unions 

that have challenged the reforms and 

believe any changes to their work rules 

should come through negotiation. 

Leaders of the Machinery Movers, 

Riggers and Machinery Erectors Local 136 

said the new deal was overwhelmingly accepted 

by its 328 members, who received 

a modest hourly increase in each of the 

three years of the pact. 

More importantly, it gave the workers 

some assurances that the big machineryoriented 

shows that are their bread and 

butter would not pull up stakes for lower 

rates in some other city. “I said to the 

men and women in the union hall that 

the goal was to fix pensions, keep our 

health care, keep the trade shows that are 

here happy, and entice new ones to come 

to Chicago,” said Rob Fulton, the Local 

136 business manager. 

The new contract was negotiated under 

the radar and raised hopes that the other 

McCormick Place unions would follow 

suit and strike similar deals with Freeman 

and Global Experience Specialists (GES). 

No Luck in Court for MPEA 

The reforms experienced another setback 

in the legal arena at the same time the 

riggers were cutting their own deal with 

GES and Freeman. 

A Federal appeals court July 11 refused 

to issue a stay that would have delayed the 

voiding of the reforms while the Metropolitan 

Pier and Exposition Authority 

(MPEA) tried to save the new rules. 

MPEA filed an appeal seeking to overturn 

a lower-court ruling that agreed with 

the Teamsters and Carpenters unions’ challenge 

of the new rules. U.S. District Court 

Judge Ronald Guzman ruled in March that 

the institution of the reforms violated the 

U.S. National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). 

The unions contended any changes to their 

contracts with GES and Freeman had to 

be made through the collective bargaining 

process rather than legislative fiat. 

The MPEA vowed to fight the ruling, 

although the grounds for their appeal 

were not clear as Trade Show Executive 

went to press. 

Civil Servants on the Show Floor? 

After the appeals court rejected the 

MPEA’s motion for a stay, Illinois 

Gov. Pat Quinn suggested he might 

call a special session of the state legislature 

to address the McCormick Place issue. 

One possible move the state could make 

would be to make the workers public 

employees, which would exempt them 

from the NLRA provisions. The unions 

responded by saying that lumping trade 

show workers in with police, firefighters 

and other “vital services” workers was a 

bit of a stretch. 

Electrical Services Tweaked 

McCormick Place announced in late 

June it modified its electrical and 

plumbing services. The convention 

center and the International Brotherhood 

of Electrical Workers Local 134 agreed 

to make union members available to 

Freeman and GES. The contractors now 

have the option of calling in electricians 

from the center’s Exhibitor and Technical 

Services department to perform work on 

the show floor. 

Reach Rob Fulton at (708) 615-9300 or 

fulton136@sbcglobal.net; David Causton at 

(312) 791-7000 or dcauston@mpea.com 


MONTH IN REVIEW 

UK’s EMAP, 

Mack Brooks, Team 

Up for International 

Launches 


London, UK – British trade show organizers 

EMAP Ltd., UK, and Mack 

Brooks Exhibitions Ltd., UK, have 

formed a joint venture with plans 

to launch at least 10 new events in 

Europe over the next few years. 

The two companies said their 

alliance, known as EMAP-Brooks 

International Ltd., would team 

up EMAP Connect, a leading 

exhibition organizer in Great 

Britain, with Mack Brooks, a 

company that organizes 18 events 

in the U.S., Asia, India, Brazil, 

Russia and continental Europe. 

“We are convinced that this 

partnership will provide a great 

springboard to grow our business on 

a truly international scale,” said Malcolm 

Gough, CEO of EMAP Connect, 

the exhibition unit of EMAP. 

Gough said EMAP planned to 

fast-track a series of international 

launches with a target of as many 

as 10 in the next two to three years. 

EMAP, which produces more 

than 300 trade shows and other business 

events, most recently launched 

the Global Fashion Awards in New 

York and expanded its World Retail 

Congress to Asia and BETT education 

technology show to the Middle East. 

Mack Brooks serves a wide range of 

industries as well, including construction, 

metalworking, printing, 

and information technology. 

Reach Malcolm Gough at +44 1727 

814400 or malcolm.gough@emap. 

com; Stephen Brooks, CEO of Mack 

Brooks, at +44 207728 3501 or 

stephen.brooks@mackbrooks.co.uk 

GLM on the Block; 

Bidders Enter Second Round 

London, UK – George Little Management 

(GLM) has attracted the interest of an 

unknown number of potential buyers 

after it was put up for sale by its British 

parent company. 

The company told Trade Show Executive 

(TSE) in a statement June 14 that the bidding 

had reached a second round and its 

exhibitions were operating normally. “The 

sale will initiate an ownership change – not 

a management change – for GLM trade 

shows, and has no impact on ongoing 

GLM activities,” the statement said. 

Daily Mail & General Trust (DMGT) 

decided GLM’s retail-focused portfolio did 

not fit with its current trade show strategy 

and put the New York-based company on 

the market. “The strategic review of GLM 

follows the conclusion that there is limited 

opportunity to leverage the GLM assets 

Los Angeles, CA – A 100-year-old technology 

is getting a new trade show in the form 

of a co-located event at Advanstar Communications’ 

Dealer Expo. The American 

V-Twin Dealer Show will launch February 

17-19 at the Indiana Convention Center 

in Indianapolis as part of Dealer Expo. 

“V-Twin refers to an engine configuration 

– two cylinders forming a V shape 

– and is a design that has been around 

for over 100 years,” said Kerry Graeber, 

brand director for the show. “This design 

is most connected to Harley-Davidson 

motorcycles as well as models and brands 

falling into the cruiser category.” 

Projections for attendance and exhibit 

across the wider DMGT group,” DMGT 

said in a statement. 

The sale of GLM, which was being 

brokered by The Jordan Edmiston Group, 

Inc., is expected to fetch more than $240 

million. The GLM management team is 

considered to be strong. 

GLM serves a more consumeroriented 

market, largely in the U.S. Its 

portfolio includes Surf Expo and the New 

York International Gift Fair (NYIGF), which 

takes place twice annually at the Jacob K. 

Javits Center in Manhattan. 

Surf Expo was 79th on the 2010 TSE 

Gold 100 rankings of largest U.S. trade 

shows. The NYIGF January ranked 22nd 

and NYIGF August was 29th. 

Reach GLM President Alan Steel at 

(914) 421-3200 or alan_steel@glmshows.com 

Advanstar to Co-Locate New 

Specialized Event at Dealer Expo 


space for the new show have not been 

released. Advanstar is eyeing attendees and 

exhibitors involved in custom motorcycles 

and Harley-Davidson dealerships. The new 

show will have a separate brand identity, 

registration and educational program. 

To assist with the marketing of the 

American V-Twin Dealer Show, Advanstar 

struck an agreement with Grady 

Pfeiffer, the CEO of GH Marketing, to 

serve as a key partner and brand ambassador 

for the event. Pfeiffer is a high-profile 

trailblazer in the V-twin industry. 

Reach Nicole Smith at (310) 857-7495 or 

nsmith@advanstar.com 


Los Angeles Forms 

Tourism Marketing District; 

Adds 1.5% Hotel Fee 


Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles became the 

latest major U.S. city to form a Tourism 

Marketing District (TMD), which will be 

funded by a 1.5% assessment on midsized 

and large hotels. 

The new funding stream will be run 

by LA INC., the Los Angeles Convention 

and Visitors Bureau, and is expected to 

generate $11 million to market L.A. to 

business and leisure travelers. The money 

will come from the new assessment on 

hotels with a least 50 rooms. 

“Coordinating the TMD is just one 

of the steps we will be taking to better 

promote and showcase the city,” said 

Mark Liberman, president and CEO of 

LA INC. “We are developing new ways to 

show off Los Angeles that are going to be 

very exciting.” 

The $11 million will be about equal 

to the amount the city spent on tourism 

sales and marketing in 2010. LA INC. 

said $11 million was less than half the 

budget of other large California cities and 

a fraction of Las Vegas and other major 

tourism cities. 

The new assessment had broad support 

among hoteliers, who were confident 

it would not cut into future occupancy. 

Reach Mark Liberman at (213) 236-2301 

or mliberman@lainc.us 

MAGIC Forms Alliance with 

Action Sports Association 


Los Angeles, CA – MAGIC continued to 

develop its presence in the action sports 

sector by forming a partnership with the 

Board Retailers Association (BRA), a trade 

group representing stores that sell surfboards, 

skateboards and related products. 

The BRA is now a liaison between its 

members and MAGIC to encourage 

them to take part in the semi-annual 

fashion retail event and get the most 

out of their attendance. 

“BRA is the leading voice and 

educational resource for independent 

retailers,” said Chris DeMoulin, president 

of MAGIC International and executive 

vice president of Advanstar’s Fashion 

Group. “This alliance allows us to deepen 

our relationships with exhibitors and 

buyers in the action sports industry.” 

The action sports industry has been 

realigning its trade show relationships in 

recent months following the November 

demise of Action Sports Retailer (ASR), the annual 

San Diego event organized by Nielsen 

Expositions. Surf Expo in Orlando has 

provided an outlet for some ASR exhibitors 

while MAGIC’s Las Vegas location should 

be more appealing to West Coast exhibitors. 

The next show runs August 22-24. 

Reach Chris DeMoulin at (310) 857-7500 

or cdemoulin@magiconline.com 


LOOKING AHEAD 

What Major Shows are on Tap for September? 

These and other major trade shows highlight 

a busy month for the exhibition industry as 

September ends the Third Quarter of 2011. 

CEDIA Expo 

SEPTEMBER 7-10 

Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis 

57 on the Trade Show Executive (TSE) Gold 100 

The Custom Electronic Design & 

Installation Association (CEDIA) is 

throwing a topic on the table in order to 

engage Twitter aficionados. A running 

“Old School vs. New School” debate will 

take place in the form of tweets fired off 

by two separate teams of experts that will 

be monitored by the 20,000+ attendees. 

The topic will be the value of new ideas 

CEDIA Expo 

compared to the tried and true methods 

proven in the field. It leads up to a live 

panel session on the afternoon of September 

9. "The Old School vs. New School 

discussion will set the stage for a real-time 

debate between two strong perspectives 

in the industry," said CEDIA CEO Utz 

Baldwin. "We're sure each side has something 

to learn from the other, and we look 

forward to the educational takeaways 

from the panel discussion.” Reach Debbie 

Antrim, CEDIA director of trade shows, 

at (317) 328-4336 or dantrim@cedia.org 

Surf Expo 


Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL 

82 on the TSE Gold 100 

A promising swell was building in the 

run-up to Surf Expo. Show managers at 

GLM had sold 90% of their booth space 

by mid-Summer and predicted a full floor 

topping 200,000 net square feet (nsf). That 

compares to 187,300 nsf in 2010. “We are 

very excited about the upcoming show,” 

reports Roy Turner, show director. “All 

of our categories are doing great and we 

expect to be sold-out by August.” The 

first-time exhibitor roster was up to 107 

in July. Attendance looked bullish as well 

with hotel reservations up about 35% over 

2010. Some of the growth was attributed to 

the launch of Dive, a new product category 

aimed at scuba and snorkeling enthusiasts. 

Dive is the ninth product category introduced 

at Surf Expo, but it won’t get lost in 

the crowd. The centerpiece of the Dive area 

is a 5,000-gallon demonstration tank that 

will be used by major exhibitors such as 

U.S. Diver and the Dive Industry Association. 

Reach Roy Turner at (678) 781-7900 

or rturner@surfexpo.com 

GRAPH EXPO 


McCormick Place South – Chicago, IL 


GRAPH EXPO could be used as a case 

study of an industry in transition and a 

show adapting to these tectonic shifts. 

What began as a single-segment event for 

commercial printers has fully embraced a 

wide range of technologies and players in 

11 target segments. The show will be the 

venue for 30 co-located events including 

association and user group meetings and 

gatherings. The latest debut is the Marketing 

Pavilion sponsored by the Chicago 

American Marketing Association, which 

offers an educational and networking 

forum for marketing professionals and 

commercial printers transitioning their 

businesses into marketing service providers. 

Organizers are projecting a 5% to10% 

increase in exhibit space over last year’s 

277,134 nsf and a 10% boost in attendance. 

Reach Christopher Price, vice president at 

(703) 264-720 x221 or cprice@gasc.org 

ABC Kids Expo 


Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, KY 


Growth has hardly been in baby steps for 

the all-encompassing exhibition of every 

product that could be imagined for babies 

and small kids. Last year’s show saw an 

11% boost in floor space and a record 382 

first-time exhibitors. A high number of 

exhibitors and broad product categories 

make the show a must-attend for the 

solid niche market. The new pavilion for 

maternity clothing returns, and All Baby 

& Child Corporation has a policy allowing 

small entrepreneurs to share booths. 

Reach Larry Schur, president, at (210) 

691-4848 x107, or larry@theabcshow.com 

ABC Kids Expo 


FLASHES FROM THE FIELD 

...UBM PLC sold its British entertainment 

and technology portfolio to Intent Media 

Ltd. in a cash deal worth £2.4 million 

pounds ($3.9 million). The portfolio had 

been under the UBM Connect division 

and included the websites and events 

connected to Music Week and other print 

publications. The deal will move 36 UBM 

Connect staff members to Intent. Reach 

UBM Connect CEO Adrian Barrick at 020 

7921 5000 or Adrian.barrick@ubm.com... 

...THE NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL GIFT FAIR 

launched an upgraded mobile application 

that included an improved capability to 

carry out keyword searches. GLM said the 

capability made it possible for attendees to 

find specific products on the show floor by 

name, product category and description. 

GLM said the upgrade to the Wayfinder 

App was the result of user feedback. Reach 

Dorothy Belshaw, show director and GLM 

senior vice president, at (914) 421-3345 or 

dbelshaw@glmshows.com............................ 

...COMPUSYSTEMS INC. unveiled a new 

dashboard tool for show organizers. 

The ConnectME Dashboard provides realtime 

and historical data along with a 

communications component that allows 

show managers to send messages to CSIprovided 

exhibitor and attendee mobile 

apps. The goal is to combine information 

and analysis from multiple sources into 

a single format. Reach CSI Senior Vice 

President Chris Williams at (708) 344-9070 

or info@compusystem.com....................... 

...MEETING PROFESSIONALS INTERNATIONAL 

(MPI) is distributing its new best practices 

guide to meeting planners. The standards 

are designed to keep planners on the right 

track to advance in their field and assist 

show organizers in hiring new employees 

by identifying the best skill sets required 

within the industry. The Meeting & 

Business Events Competency Standards 

is available at no charge at mpiweb.org/ 

mbecs. Reach MPI President and CEO 

Bruce MacMillan at (972) 702-3000 or 

bmacmillan@mpiweb.org.......................... 

...MEMPHIS COOK CONVENTION CENTER is 

officially under new management. The 

facility was turned over to Memphis 

Management Group LLC, an arm of 

the Memphis Convention & Visitors 

Bureau. The convention center board of 

directors opted for local management 

over proposals from Global Spectrum and 

incumbent SMG. Reach General Manager 

Pierre Landaiche at (901) 576-1203 or 

plandaiche@memphisconvention.com..... 

...THE ASSOCIATION FOR CONVENTION 

SALES AND MARKETING EXECUTIVES (ACME) 

brought in Creative Marketing Alliance 

(CMA) to manage the operations of 

ACME. CMA will also provide marketing 

initiatives and event coordination for 

the association. A future objective is 

launching educational programming for 

venue and destination marketing staff 

below the executive level. Reach ACME 

President Yulita Osuba at (407) 685-9875 

or yulita.osuba@occc.net............................ 

...THE AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER will be 

getting a new headquarters hotel in around 

2015. The city council approved construction 

of a Marriott Marquis three blocks 

from the center. The hotel will have 1,003 

rooms and 103, 000 square feet of meeting 

and event space. Reach Rob Hampton, 

vice president of sales, Austin Convention 

& Visitors Bureau, at (512) 583-7269 or 

rhampton@austintexas.org.......................... 

…THE GEORGIA WORLD CONGRESS CENTER 

(GWCC) completed the first phase of 

its digital signage installation project. 

Technicians installed 31 vide monitors, 

including a pair of video walls made up 

of nine monitors apiece. The signs are 

prominently displayed in areas where foot 

traffic is heaviest. Reach General Manager 

Mark Zimmerman at (404) 223-4000 or 

mzimmerm@gwcc.com.............................. 

...Going Green is becoming par for the 

course at trade shows and venues. Keep up 

to date on new ideas and the latest success 

stories on sustainable events with TRADE 

SHOW EXECUTIVE’S ECOALERT, an e-newsletter 

which debuted in July. EcoAlert is delivered 

by e-mail at no charge by subscribing 

to TSE’s E-Clips Breaking News service. Sign 

up today at www.tradeshowexecutive.com/ 

eclips.asp. If your company or show is on 

the cutting edge of green. Contact Senior 

Editor Hil Anderson at (760) 630-9107 or 

handerson@tradeshowexecutive.com....... 


TRENDING & SPENDING 

Forecasting vs. 

Creating the Future 

BY DARLENE GUDEA, president 

Darlene Gudea, 

PRESIDENT 

Frank Chow, 

CHIEF ECONOMIST 

Trade Show Executive’s 

Trending & Spending Forecast 

Fig. I: TSE Forecast of Net 

Square Feet of Exhibit Space 

3.8% SEPTEMBER 

3.5% 

3rd Quarter 

3.2% 

2011 

Fig. II: TSE Forecast of Number 

of Exhibiting Organizations 


1.8% 

3rd Quarter 

3.2% 


Fig. III: TSE Forecast of 

Professional Attendance 


2.4% 

3rd Quarter 

5.6% 

3.2% 


Fig. IV: TSE Annual Forecast 

of Revenue 

Year Ending December 2011 

How Trade Show Executive Magazine’s Trending & Spending 

was compiled 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. Unbiased, reliable data—whether 

positive or negative—is the foundation of solid 

business planning. 

Oceanside, CA - This past month, a rash of 

negative economic reports has economists 

scurrying to cut their forecast of 2nd Quarter 

GDP growth to way below 3%. “The 

recent uptick in unemployment to 9.1%, a 

continued slump in home prices and sales, 

and an unexpected drop in manufacturing 

and consumer confidence have some 

analysts talking about a double-dip recession 

again,” warned Frank Chow, chief 

economist for Trade Show Executive. “The 

anemic May jobs gain of 54,000 confirms 

the economy is softening.” 

The clearly weakening U.S. economy 

seems to be affecting the emerging nations, 

especially in Asia, Chow noted. Despite 

their comparatively higher pace of growth, 

China, India and Brazil all appear to be 

slowing. For example, China's export 

growth slowed in May to 19.4% from 

29.9% in April. Also, Chinese factories 

expanded in May at the slowest rate in 

nine months, reinforcing the evidence of a 

slowing economy. In Brazil, monthly retail 

sales fell for the first time in nearly a year 

and GDP growth has been disappointing 

the past two quarters. India’s industrial 

production slowed to 4.4% growth in 

April from 7.3% in March. 

Also clouding the global recovery 

picture is the clash in Europe about how 

to fix Greece’s debt problems amid work 

on a second rescue package. According 

to Greece’s revised 1st Quarter GDP, its 

economy contracted 5.5%, worse than the 

previous reading of 4.8%. The prospect 

of contagion effects from Europe due 

to ongoing debt troubles and slowing 

growth in China is causing uncertainty 

and indecision. 

A Temporary Soft Patch 

or Big Bruise? 

Given this backdrop, decision makers 

are asking whether this “soft patch” 

will be protracted and worsen as the 

year progresses or is it temporary with 

the economy reviving later in the year? 

Fed Reserve Chairman Bernanke says 

it is “transitory,” citing that the reasons 

for the slowdown are temporary: the 

Japan tsunami which is causing supply 

disruptions; high energy prices due to 

Middle East turmoil; and weather-related 

disasters. Bernanke believes the economy 

will improve in the last half of the year. 

“I tend to agree with the Fed 

Chairman’s assessment except for one 

caveat: the housing market will likely 

get worse this year and possibly next 

year,” said Chow. “At best, it will remain 

flat.” The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price 

Index slumped to lows not seen since 

March 2003, plunging below the prior 

crisis-era bottom set in April 2009, 

Chow noted. The National Association 

of Realtors' Pending Home Sales Index 

is now 26% below its cyclical high of 

April 2010, which was the deadline for 

the now-expired home buyer tax credit. 

“The market will continue to be plagued 

with high foreclosures and millions of 

underwater properties that are in the 

pipeline,” he predicted. 

“The lone bright spot this month is 

a report that U.S. exports hit a record in 

April,” Chow noted. “The increase in 

U.S. exports narrowed the trade deficit 

and raised hopes that the economy might 

be growing slightly faster than economists 

had estimated.” He pointed out that U.S. 

companies sold more computers, heavy 

machinery and telecommunications 

equipment abroad in April compared 

with the month before. Imports declined 

because fewer cars were bought from 

Japan after factories were damaged by 

that country's earthquake and tsunami. 

“Hopefully, this will continue through 

the summer and add significantly to 

GDP growth,” Chow said. 


TSE’s Forecasting Board 

Optimistic with a Dose of Caution 

As the post-recession economy continues 

to evolve, members of Trade Show 

Executive’s Exposition Forecasting Board 

remain cautiously optimistic. Speaking 

at the Washington, DC chapter meeting 

of IAEE (International Association 

of Exhibitions and Events) on May 13, 

board members agreed that although the 

official recession may be over, there is 

still and long and winding road ahead. 

Key show metrics have steadily improved 

across most industry segments, although 

attendance and exhibitor counts dropped 

slightly at May trade shows (See the TSE 

Dashboard, pages 18-24]. 

At first glance, the upward trend in 

trade show metrics look like a signal that 

the business cycle is on the rebound. But 

like consumers and employers, show 

organizers are not 100% convinced 

the industry is headed back to its prerecession 

heights. 

“Recent improvement in event 

performance underscores the value of 

the face-to-face business experience,” 

said Jack Chalden, managing director 

at the International Economic Alliance 

and a respected veteran of the trade 

show industry. “However, there is also 

a blend of flat consumer spending, 

sustained unemployment numbers and 

the continuing housing crisis, all of which 

signal caution for the overall economy 

and flat performance for events over the 

balance of the year,” he predicted. 

Chris Brown, executive vice president 

of conventions & business operations for 

the National Association of Broadcasters, 

said the recently concluded NAB Show 

enjoyed solid improvement over 2010 

and he expected the momentum to keep 

building. “International participation in 

events stayed strong during the recession, 

which was partially due to changes in 

currency values that made travel to the 

U.S. more affordable.” 

Brown said the weak economy has 

put pressure on hotel rates which has 

been a positive factor in driving trade 

show growth but this could reverse as 

the economy improves. “This is a classic 

counter-balancing factor. As the economy 

and the events industry weaken, rates 

drop and create positive demand 

for travel and hotel rooms.” 

Cautious Exhibitors 

Trade show organizers tend to be 

optimistic by nature, but they also 

recognize that their customers are not 

necessarily so. The same caution and 

uncertainty that has kept a lid on hiring 

has been seemingly hardwired into 

marketing strategies. The result has been 

second thoughts about sending people to 

shows and committing to large booths. 

“People feel they need to be at a show but 

they don’t need to spend like they used 

to,” said Aaron Bludworth, COO of Fern 

Exposition & Event Services. 

Skip Cox, president and CEO of 

Exhibit Surveys, Inc., said, “We are not 

back to the peak levels of 2007, according 

to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research 

(CEIR), in any of the major indices 

they track. And if you look at CEIR projections, 

we won’t be back to those levels 

until 2013, which is as far out as they go.” 

Why So Murky? 

Even looking out a couple of years 

isn’t as easy as it once was. Bludworth 

said the new variables in the market 

have made forecasting the pace of the 

recovery far more difficult than during 

past downturns. “We didn’t forecast this 

continued decline because there were so 

many different factors involved, such as 

the housing and the banking industry,” he 

said. “We can’t forecast the recovery for 

the same reason.” 

In the end, the panelists agreed that 

the trade show industry will come out 

of the recession – if it hasn’t already 

– looking differently than it did just a 

few years ago. “It will be up to us,” said 

Bludworth. “We have to be smart about 

it and create the future of the industry. 

We can’t tie our projections to traditional 

business cycles that have always been 

around because that model is flawed.” 

Reach Aaron Bludworth at (513) 562-0432 

or abludworth@fernexpo.com; Chris Brown 

at (202) 429-5300 or cbrown@nab.org; 

Jack Chalden at (617) 418-1971 or 

Jchalden@comcast.net; Skip Cox at 

(732) 741-3170 or skip@exhibitsurveys.com 


Trending & Spending Forecast 

Fig. V: Sector Performance 

BEST PERFORMING SECTORS 

• Apparel 

• Security 

• Business Services 

• Technology 

MIXED PERFORMANCE 

• Communications 

• Government 

SECTORS UNDER PRESSURE 

• Automotive 

• Housing 

• Construction 

• Hospitality 

• Transportation 

• Medical 

• Retail 

• Food 

• Manufacturing 

• Home Furnishings 

ECONOMIC INDICATORS 

Consumer Confi dence, which reached a three-year high 

of 65.8 in April, fell in May, then again in June, to a 

level of 58, due to concerns about future earnings. 

Corporate earnings grew 23.5% in Q1 over the same 

period a year ago, according to Standard & Poor’s 

500 Index. This growth raised the bar for expected 

earnings over the balance of calendar year 2011. 

Gross Domestic Product for Q1 increased a weak 1.8% 

(annualized rate) over Q4, as expected. It was the 

eighth consecutive quarter of economic expansion. 

Housing Starts for single family homes reached a 

seasonally adjusted annual rate of 560,000 in May, 

up 3.5% over April. 

Industrial Production edged up 0.1% in May, the second 

month of very small gains. 

Core Infl ation, which omits volatile food and energy 

prices, rose 0.3% in May, the largest increase since 

July 2008. 

Interest Rates (short term) remained near 0% in May. 

Jobs increased very little (+54,000) in May. Most 

hiring was in the fields of professional and business 

services, health care and mining. Government jobs 

continued to decline. 

The Leading Economic Index, a weighted gauge of 10 

economic indicators, increased 0.8% in May to 

114.7, following a decline in April. 

Economic activity in the Manufacturing sector in 

May registered in at 53.5, a slide of (6.9) percentage 

points below the April reading, according to the 

ISM Manufacturing Index. While numbers above 50 

indicate expansion, which has been the case for 22 

consecutive months, it was the lowest reading in the 

past 12 months. 

Retail Sales dropped (1.2)% after increasing for the 

10th straight month in April. 

Unemployment rose to 9.1% in May from 9.0% in April, 

according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 


TRENDING & SPENDING 

An Insider’s Perspective 

How is the economy impacting the 

exposition industry? This month, four 

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 Trade Show 

Executive’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. 

Darlene Gudea, 

PRESIDENT 


Frank Chow, 

CHIEF ECONOMIST 


Jack Chalden 

MANAGING DIR. 

The International 

Economic Alliance 

Global Dynamics Exerting Stronger Impact on our Industry 

“The interdependence of global financial and investment dynamics is now a 

powerful influence with unprecedented reach. Blended banking institutions, economic 

conditions and currency valuations are starkly different today. Add to that 

unstable country leadership, mounting security issues and a growing roster of 

countries who need support and bailouts, and it is clear that global influences are 

very significant. What happens in Athens or Barcelona has a meaningful impact 

on Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Seattle. 

In our events world, the engagement of international participants is now 

accompanied by some new influences and opportunities such as visa processing, 

enhanced security requirements, new supply chain dependencies, currency 

influences and IPR sensitivities.” 

Nancy Walsh 

EXECUTIVE VP 

Reed Exhibitions 

Tom Caridi 

CFO 

Questex Media Group 

Colette O’Donnell 

GROUP CONTROLLER 

Advanstar 

Communications, Inc. 

A Common Thread in Successful Events 

“There still is an intense focus on ROI but the spend 

on exhibits is increasing gradually. At the NAB show, 

attendance dropped off the cliff in 2009; exhibit space 

had a more gradual drop over the next two years. In 

2010, attendance went up significantly but exhibit 

space, a lagging indicator, was still in decline. In 2011, 

all metrics were up. In 2010, we see a strengthening 

trend and all metrics are likely to continue upward. 

“In other sectors, CES was up very strongly at the beginning 

of the year. Retail events are bouncing back nicely 

such as the National Retail Federation, MAGIC and RECon. 

Other shows at the center of the recession are stabilizing 

such as The NAHB’s International Builders’ Show. 

“Passion is the common thread underlying successful 

events. Making that happen through greater 

engagement and interactivity is the key.” 

Chris Brown 

EXECUTIVE VP 

National Association 

of Broadcasters 


Alan Steel 

PRESIDENT 

GLM 

Joe Popolo 

CEO 

Freeman 

Exhibit Decisions Partially Influenced by 

Staff Outside the Marketing Department 

“We certainly have seen an uptick in the numbers. 

Exhibition budgets have loosened up a little. Exhibition 

value ratings have increased significantly for those shows 

that were fundamentally strong to begin with. Audience 

quality in terms of buying plans has improved. However, 

cost containment and control is the new normal for large 

exhibitors. Procurement is much more involved in the 

process of trying to control costs.” 

Skip Cox 

PRESIDENT & CEO 

Exhibit Surveys 

Terence Donnelly 

VP OF SALES 

Experient 

James Rooney 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

Mass. Convention Center 

Authority 

Shura 

Lindgren-Garnett 

REGIONAL VP 

Global Spectrum 

Gregg Caren 

SENIOR VP, 

STRATEGIC BUS. 

SMG 

Pat Fallon 

VP OF BUSINESS 

DEVELOPMENT 

CompuSystems, Inc. 

Doug Levinson 


Convention Data Services 

Aaron Bludworth 

COO 

Fern Exposition 

Event Services 

Longer Climb Out of the Decline 

than the Decline Itself 

“We’re 4½ years from the peak in 2007 and we’re still in 

a pretty rough lull despite the optimism. I think everyone 

agrees that exhibitor spending is up since the Third Quarter 

of last year but they are still cautious about long-term commitment. 

The spending that exists is short-tem and tentative. 

“Exhibitors feel they need to be at a show but they don’t 

need to spend like they once did. Some of that is because 

they are not confident in making the spend; some has been 

shifted to other media and some of it is because they once 

had a $1 million budget that was cut down to $200,000. 

Even when it comes back at the traditional 5% to 10% increase, 

it will take a long time to get back to the 80% it fell.” 

Gary Sain 


Orlando/Orange County 

Convention & Visitors 

Bureau, Inc. 

Chris Meyer 

VP OF 

CONVENTION SALES 

Las Vegas Convention 

& Visitors Authority 


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 September to celebrate the 

people, the shows and the organizations that set 

the Gold Standard for the trade show industry. 

September 21-23, 2011 

The Ritz-Carlton • Half Moon Bay, CA 

Power Lunch 

Crisis Management Burning Issues Trending & Spending Compensation 2012 

David Levin 

CEO, United 

Business Media 

Bob Dallmeyer 

TSE Columnist 

Tad Ishizumi 

President, Reed 

Exhibitions Japan Ltd. 

Gary Shapiro 

President & 

CEO, Consumer 

Electronics Assn. 

Galen Poss 

COO of 

dmg::events 

Frank Chow 

Chief Economist, 

TSE Media Group 

Darlene Gudea 

President, TSE 

Media Group 

Skip Cox 

President & CEO 

of Exhibit Surveys 

Danica 

Tormohlen 

TSE Contributing 

Editor 

And the Winner Is... 

Register Now 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

Brought to you by Trade Show Executive and these Sponsors 

TITLE SPONSOR 

GOLD SPONSORS 

SILVER SPONSORS 

BRONZE SPONSORS 

SUPPORTING ASSOCIATION SPONSORS 

ESCA 

Exhibition Services & 

Contractors Association 

www.TradeShowExecutive.com/GoldGala

TSE DASHBOARD 

SPONSORED BY 

Hot Streak Ends in May with Slight Drops 

in Exhibitors, Attendance 

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

Oceanside, CA – The trade show industry’s 

post-recession growth spurt derailed in 

May with slight declines in attendance 

and exhibitors offsetting a 3.2% increase 

in exhibit space. 

For the 23 shows surveyed for the 

Trade Show Executive (TSE) Dashboard of 

Monthly Trade Show Metrics, exhibitor 

participation declined (1.8)% from May 

2010 and attendance slipped (1.1)% from 

the previous year. 

The decline broke a nine-month run 

in which all three metrics had increased. 

In a same-show comparison, the adjusted 

numbers for 22 events totaled 4,977,593 

net square feet (nsf) of exhibit space, 

15,766 exhibitors and 359,567 attendees. 

Scattered Clouds 

The majority of the Dashboard shows 

reported growth in at least two of the 

three metrics, but there were also some 

significant losses that contributed to the 

bearish totals. 

Five events had declines in all three 

metrics. Two of those shows – BookExpo 

America and Windpower – were ranked 

in the TSE Gold 100 listing of largest U.S. 

trade shows. Windpower, which was also 

on the TSE Fastest 50, saw its attendance in 

Anaheim fall (21.7)% from 2010 when the 

show was held in Dallas. Its exhibit space 

was down (5.6)% to 335,000 nsf. 

ReCon Rebound 

The largest show on the May calendar 

was RECon, the Global Retail Real Estate 

Convention, which saw its exhibit space 

grow 5.4% to 870,626 nsf and its attendance 

climb 3.3% to the 30,000 mark. 

Organizers at the International Council 

of Shopping Centers had seen 30,000 as 

a realistic mark for the Las Vegas show 

due to the gradually improving economy, 

Making a Big Deal Out of It. General Growth Properties of Chicago was one of the largest exhibitors 

at RECon, the world’s largest trade show for the retail real estate industry. ICSC, which organizes the 

event, estimates that more than 25% of the industry's transactions occur during the three-day event. 

which has retailers looking at expansion 

rather than mere survival. 

ReCON, which was ranked No. 9 

in last year’s TSE Gold 100, had 48,044 

attendees and more than 1 million nsf in 

its heyday in 2008. 

Growth Leaders 

• National Hardware Show and Lawn & 

Garden World. Modest growth of just over 

1% in all three metrics, but that was on top 

of more-noticeable growth reported as the 

recession ebbed last year. Exhibit space hit 

544,000 nsf and attendance topped 31,000. 

Show manager Ed Several said bookings 

for 2012 were running 16% ahead of the 

pace seen a year earlier. “The increased 

attendance and the increased buying that 

took place on the show floor created a 

strong foundation for 2012,” he said. 

• NRA Restaurant, Hotel and Motel Show. 

Attendance was off (0.2)%, which translated 

to fewer than 100 actual people. 

That flat performance was more than 

offset by a 7.1% increase in the exhibitor 

count and a 6.8% increase in exhibit space 

to 515,422 nsf. 

• Offshore Technology Conference. 

Attendance in Houston hit a 29-year high 

of 78,645, which was up 9% from 2010. 

The exhibit hall was sold out at 603,720 

nsf, a 6.2% increase despite the fact the 

number of exhibitors was off (0.5)%. 

“The outstanding attendance reflected the 

economic recovery and the importance of 

offshore development in meeting world 

energy demand,” said show chairman 

Susan Cunningham. The conference 

segment included 11 sessions dedicated 

to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. 

• LIGHTFAIR International. Attendance 

and exhibit space set new records for 

the 22-year-old show. Space sold at the 

Pennsylvania Convention Center jumped 


SPONSORED BY 

Trade Show Executive Dashboard 

MONTHLY TRADE SHOW METRICS – MONTHLY OVERVIEW 

10% 

NET SQUARE FEET 

10% 

EXHIBITORS 

10% 

ATTENDEES 

5% 

5% 

5% 

0% 

0% 

0% 

(5)% 

(5)% 

(5)% 

(10)% 

(10)% 

(10)% 

(15)% 

(15)% 

(15)% 

(20)% 

JUN 

JUL 

AUG 

SEP 

OCT 

NOV 

DEC 

JAN 

FEB 

MAR 

APR 


MAY 

(20)% 

JUN 

JUL 

AUG 

SEP 

OCT 

NOV 

DEC 

JAN 

FEB 

MAR 

APR 


MAY 

(20)% 

JUN 

JUL 

AUG 

SEP 

OCT 

NOV 

DEC 

JAN 

FEB 

MAR 

APR 


MAY 

25.6% to 201,000 nsf even though the 

number of exhibitors was down (4.8)% 

from 2010. Of the 474 companies exhibiting, 

59 were first-timers. The 2012 show 

moves to Las Vegas. 

• Sweets & Snacks Expo. The show posted 

double-digit gains in all three metrics, 

including a 9.8% boost in exhibit space 

to 140,262 nsf. “We posted significant 

growth for the second year in a row in 

both show size and number of (exhibiting) 

companies,” said Larry Graham, president 

of the National Confectioners Association. 

“This was our largest show with the most 

exhibitors in its 15-year history.” The New 

Products Showcase was reported to be the 

largest ever for the Chicago show. 

10% 

5% 

0% 

(5)% 

(10)% 

(15)% 

(20)% 

CONSOLIDATED 

QUARTERLY OVERVIEW 

Exhibitors 

Attendees 

Q1 2010 Q2 2010 Q3 2010 Q4 2010 Q1 2011 

NSF 

CONSOLIDATED 

ANNUAL OVERVIEW: 2010 

NET SQ. FEET 

EXHIBITORS 

ATTENDEES 

(2.7)% 

0.8% 

2.3% 

About Face. The TSE Dashboard 

metrics saw their fi rst decline in nine 

months in May with a (1.1)% dip in 

attendance and (1.8)% fewer exhibitors. 

The decreases were offset by 3.2% 

growth in exhibit space. 

© 2011, Trade Show Executive Magazine, Oceanside, CA (760) 630-9105. 

Las Vegas Leads Host Venues 

Las Vegas enjoyed another month as 

the top host city of Dashboard events. 

Along with RECon and the National 

Hardware Show, the Strip was the site of 

the two other Gold 100 events: Electronics 

Distribution Show and the Hospitality Design 

Exposition & Conference. 

The largest show on the May calendar 

was RECon, which saw its exhibit space 

grow 5.4% to 870,626 nsf and its 

attendance climb 3.3% to the 30,000 mark. 


TSE DASHBOARD 

SPONSORED BY 

We posted significant growth for the second 

year in a row in both show size and number of 

(exhibiting) companies. This was our largest show 

with the most exhibitors in its 15-year history. 

Larry Graham 

PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL CONFECTIONERS ASSOCIATION. 

Houston hosted two Dashboard shows – 

Offshore Technology Conference and the American 

Association of Museums & Museum Expo. 

Chicago also hosted two shows – the 

NRA Show and Sweets & Snacks Expo. 

Next Month 

Next month’s Dashboard will include a review 

of major June shows to see if the Summer 

was a sizzling success or if the relatively 

flat May was a sign of a new slump. 

Key events in June included: Clinical 

Lab Expo, the Summer International Fancy 

Food & Confection Show and MRket New 

York. The 2010 edition of MRket New 

York topped the inaugural TSE Fastest 50 

rankings with a 147% jump in exhibit 

space to 419,500 nsf. TSE 

A Masterpiece is Born. The fi nishing touches are put on a dish at one of the many live demonstrations 

at the NRA Restaurant Show. The number of hungry attendees this year held steady. 

Favorable Winds. Attendees look over the latest in wind turbines at Windpower in Anaheim. Larger 

goods were on display at an outdoor exhibit area. 

Methodology 

Survey questionnaires were sent 

to the organizers of shows held in 

May as listed in TSE’s ZOOM Trade 

Show Locator and Gold 100 directory. 

All responses were cross-checked 

by TSE editors for discrepancies. 

The Trade Show Executive 

Dashboard was created to give show 

organizers and CEOs a fast read on 

trade show performance at a time 

when up-to-date, quality information 

is paramount to making decisions 

in today’s business world. We 

recognize that simple statistics don’t 

tell the full story about a show, and 

year-over-year growth is not the 

key factor in a show’s value to the 

industry it serves. The TSE Dashboard 

still provides the traditional 

metrics of show growth but also lists 

other significant characteristics and 

accomplishments such as quality of 

attendees, international attendance, 

sales transactions and conference 

and sponsorship growth. 

Trade Show Executive’s next 

Dashboard will cover the month of 

June and will be published in both 

the August issue and online. 

We are grateful to the organizers 

who shared both quantitative 

and qualitative data. 



MONTHLY TRADE SHOW METRICS - MAY 2011 

Dashboard 

BY CAROL ANDREWS, 

editor-at-large 

TOP 

MANAGEMENTS* 

TOP 

CITIES* 

GROWTH 

LEADERS 

TOP INDUSTRY 

SECTORS* 

BENCHMARKS: 

AVERAGE GROWTH 

FORECASTED 

GROWTH 

• Int'l Council of 

Shopping Centers 

• Reed Exhibitions 

• Offshore Technology 

Conference 

• Las Vegas 

• Houston 

• Chicago 

* Based on total nsf 

• LIGHTFAIR Int'l 

• American Urological 

Assn. Annual Meeting 

• Northeastern Forest 

Products Equip. Expo 

• Consumer Sciences 

• Raw Materials 

• Building & 

Construction 

• NSF: 3.2% 

• Exhibitors: (1.8)% 

• Attendance: (1.1)% 

• NSF: 4.8% 

• Exhibitors: 4.0% 

• Attendance: 4.2% 

Show Site Net SF of Exhibits Exhibitors Total Attendance Qualitative Data 

SHOW INFORMATION 2011/2010 2011/2010 VARIANCE 2011/2010 VARIANCE 2011/2010 VARIANCE 2011 VS. 2010 

AISTech 2011 - The Iron and Pittsburgh 63,200 (1.7)% 413 (3.7)% 5,529 (16.2)% Records were set in technical sessions and 

Steel Technology Conference 64,300 429 6,597 technical presentations. 18.9% of exhibiting 

and Exposition Indianapolis companies were international. There were 1,100 

AIST - Association for Iron 

attendees at the Town Hall Forum, which had 

and Steel Technology 

a live Webcast, and 1,048 attendees at the 

www.aist.org 

President’s Award Breakfast. 

American Association of Houston 70,000 No change 285 (5.0)% 4,500 No change There were 32 international exhibitors and 39 

Museums & Museum Expo Los Angeles 70,000 300 4,500 new exhibiting companies. 

American Association of Museums 

www.aam-us.org 

American Telemedicine Tampa 56,700 (12.6)% 188 (10.50)% 3,525 11.9% There was a record number of attendees at the 

Assn. Annual International San Antonio 64,840 210 3,150 show, the largest attendance in the show’s 

Meeting & Exposition 

16-year history. 

American Telemedicine Association 

www.americantelemed.org 

American Urological Washington, DC 175,000 19.3% 350 17.8% 17,170 No change The show, in its 106th year, was the largest 

Association Annual Meeting San Francisco 146,670 297 17,168 gathering of urologists in the world. Attendees 

American Urological Association 

reported that the knowledge gained from the 

www.auanet.org or www.AUA2012.org 

meeting will positively impact their practices. 

Two live surgeries were broadcast during show. 

ASI Show San Diego San Diego 48,100 14.0% 365 18.1% 3,201 3.0% 82% of attendees were authorized buyers; 91% 

The ASI Show San Diego 42,200 309 3,108 were from the West Coast; and 27% were fi rstwww.asishow.com 

time ASI Show attendees. 

Battcon Int'l Stationary Lake Buena 20,000 (20.0)% 72 (4.0)% 550 10.0% The show provided opportunities for attendees 

Battery Conference Vista, FL 25,000 75 500 to learn what’s new in the stationary battery 

Albércorp Hollywood, FL industry. Attendees gave the show above 

www.battcon.com 

average ratings. 

BookExpo America New York 147,295 (15.6)% 1,097 (18.7)% 21,416 (2.3)% The show partnered with leading innovators 

Reed Exhibtions New York 174,500 1,350 21,919 and educators in the digital publishing/book 

www.bookexpoamerica.com 

distribution arena, and there was an expanded 

digital presence on the show fl oor. The show 

also featured a new author venue and an 

expanded program for New York Book Week. 

1 

Important consumer shows are listed in the Dashboard but their metrics are not included in the statistical analysis 



Dashboard – MAY 2011 

SPONSORED BY 



EASTEC West 114,025 8.6% 499 2.3% 11,000 No change There were more than 150 new product 

SME - Society of Springfield, MA 105,000 488 11,000 introductions at the show. 

Manufacturing Engineers 

West Springfi eld, MA 

www.sme.org 

Electronic Distribution Show Las Vegas 180,000 No change 255 (0.4)% 2,700 est. 0.4% While show fl oor traffi c was important, the show 

EDS, c/o ECA Las Vegas 180,000 256 2,688 was appointment-oriented. The emphasis was on 

(Electronic Components Association) 

forging and maintaining business relationships 

www.edsconnects.com 

through scheduled one-on-one meetings. 

Hospitality Design Las Vegas 265,000 (5.3)% 850 (1.7)% 6,475 (0.5)% There were more than 200 new exhibitors, a 

Exposition & Conference Las Vegas 279,900 865 6,507 20% growth in international attendees, and 

Nielsen Expositions 

major pavilions from Spain and Italy on the 

www.hdexpo.com 

show fl oor. 

Interop Las Vegas Las Vegas 112,000 8.7% 350 16.7% 13,530 1.8% Survey shows 93% of pre-registered attendees 

UBM TechWeb Las Vegas 103,000 300 13,295 play a role in the purchase of IT products or 

www.interop.com 

services, and attendees use the show to identify 

new products/companies and to stay current with 

industry trends. There were 130 new exhibitors. 

LIGHTFAIR International 2011 Philadelphia 201,000 25.6% 474 (4.8)% 23,709 7.8% Was largest show in LFI's 22 year history. There 

AMC, Inc. Las Vegas 160,000 498 22,000 were 59 fi rst-time exhibiting companies, a record 

www.lightfair.com 

number of registered attendees from 75 nations, 

and 239 LIGHTFAIR Innovation Awards 

submissions. A new LFI Mobile App allowed 

attendees to conveniently track events. The 

new Spotlight Lounge enabled attendees to see 

presentations without leaving show fl oor. 

National Hardware Show Las Vegas 544,000 1.7% 1,891 1.1% 31,318 1.4% There were 653 new exhibitors and more than 

Reed Exhibitions Las Vegas 535,000 1,871 30,900 700 new product launches. 

www.nationalhardwareshow.com 

National Stationery Show New York 125,533 (6.0)% 846 (6.7)% 11,140 (44.3)% There were 253 new exhibiting companies. 

GLM New York 133,586 907 20,000 Of the 846 exhibitors, 12% were international. 

www.nationalstationeryshow.com 

As a result of a new partnership with BizBash, 

the show welcomed 213 special event planners, 

offering exhibitors exposure to a new group of 

VIP buyers. A new mobile app made show fl oor 

navigation a breeze. 

Northeastern Forest Bangor, ME 280,000 est. 16.2% 199 4.7% 7,200 est. (7.1)% Due to the rotational pattern, comparable stats 

Products Equipment Expo 240,900 (‘09) 190 (‘09) 7,754 09) were cited from the last odd-numbered 

Northeastern Loggers’ Association 

shows. The forest products industry is slowly 

www.northernlogger.com 

coming out of a very tough stretch. Preliminary 

results of an exhibitor survey indicated heavy 

sales activity at the show. The 2009 show drew 

more attendees but less sales activity. 

NRA Restaurant, Chicago 515,422 6.8% 1,938 7.1% 57,800 est. (0.2)% A new NRA Show Daily Deals program enabled 

Hotel-Motel Show Chicago 482,716 1,810 57,892 buyers to purchase discounts online and fulfi ll 

National Restaurant Association 

them with sellers on the exhibit fl oor. For the 

www.restaurant.org/show 

fi rst time, innovation awards were presented 

for breakthroughs in consumable products. 

Also, waste reduction was a show focal point. 




Dashboard – MAY 2011 

SPONSORED BY 



Offshore Technology Conf. Houston 603,270 6.2% 2,520 (0.5)% 78,645 9.2% The largest OTC show in 29 years with 306 new 

Offshore Technology Conference Houston 568,190 2,532 72,025 exhibitors, participation from four new countries 

www.otcnet.org 

and 15,000 international visitors from approx. 

120 countries. Exhibiting companies were from 

more than 40 countries. The show benefi ted 

from an improving economy, higher oil prices 

and exhibitors/attendees recognizing the overall 

value of participating in OTC. 

RECon, The Global Retail Las Vegas 870,626 5.4% 1,000 (7.1)% 31,000 3.3% A RECon News Web site was launched for the 

Real Estate Convention Las Vegas 826,065 1,077 30,000 show featuring exhibitor news releases and 

Int'l Council of Shopping Centers 

press kits, ICSC press releases, and a media 

www.icsc.org 

gallery of photos. Howard Schultz, Chairman of 

Starbucks, and Wesley Clark, former NATO 

Supreme Commander, were featured speakers. 

Statewide Training and Boston 83,000 No change 390 1.3% 2,015 (10.2)% The show attracted more than 30 sponsors, 

Resources Exhibition 2011 Boston 83,000 385 2,245 more than 150 green exhibitors, 50 minority and 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts women-owned businesses and more than 60 

www.mass.gov/osd or 

small businesses. 

www.mass.gov/star 

SURTEX New York 28,160 12.6% 277 23.1% 5,000 (16.7)% There were 71 international exhibitors from 11 

GLM New York 25,000 225 6,000 est. countries. A party and Design Forum Breakfast 

www.surtex.com 

was held to celebrate the show's 25th anniversay. 

Conference registration increased 15%. There 

were fewer attendees from each company, but 

these attendees were decision-makers, serious 

about doing business. There was more art buying, 

deals, partnerships, and licensing programs 

initiated than in previous years. 

Sweets & Snacks Expo Chicago 140,262 9.8% 551 13.4% 14,000 12.0% The 2011 show was the largest in the event’s 

National Confectioners Association Chicago 127,750 486 12,500 15-year history. There were 170 new exhibitors, 

www.sweetsandsnacks.com 

which is a new show record. 

WINDPOWER Anaheim 335,000 (5.6)% 1,155 (17.0)% 15,344 (21.7)% Record was broken for international attendance 

American Wind Energy Association Dallas 354,876 1,392 19,585 (20% in this sector compared to 10% last year). 

www.awea.org 

Exhibitors commented on the excellent quality of 

attendees, the number of deals struck, and their 

excitement about the future of the industry. 

Ted Turner’s presentation was a big hit. 

DASHBOARD ANALYSIS: Net SF of Exhibits Exhibitors Total Attendance 

Total: 4,977,593 15,965 366,767 

(Sum of all fi gures submitted by show management) 4,792,493 16,252 371,333 

Adjusted Total: 4,697,593 15,766 359,567 

(Excludes outliers and shows in which an 4,551,593 16,062 363,579 

apples-to-apples comparison is not possible) 

Averages: 260,977 876 19,976 

(Based on Adjusted Totals) 252,866 892 15,808 

COMING UP 

NEXT MONTH: 

A review of shows 

held in June 2011 

Percentage of Growth: 3.2% (1.8)% (1.1)% 

(Based on Adjusted Totals) 

1 

Important consumer shows are listed in the Dashboard but their metrics are not included in the statistical analysis © 2011, Trade Show Executive Magazine, Oceanside, CA (760) 630-9105. 


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

POWER LUNCH

SPONSORED BY 

Kathy 

Taking 

Corporate 

Events to the 

Next Level 

BY BOB DALLMEYER, TSE columnist 

Doyle 

Kathy Doyle, director of Global Cisco Live Conferences 

for Cisco Systems Inc., has transformed 

a successful corporate event into the model for 

building a global high-tech conference portfolio. 

The enviable portfolio includes fi ve face-to-face 

events worldwide along with a hybrid/virtual event 

component that attracts 60,000 subscribers from 

200 countries. Over the past 19 years, she has 

successfully launched and managed best-in-class 

corporate conferences and events for Hewlett 

Packard, PeopleSoft, Wingate and others. 

Kathy is a highly focused team builder and 

strategist. Her track record for growing events 

and revenues is impressive. Her awards are 

prestigious and plentiful, most recently winning 

the Event Marketers 2010 Grand Ex Award, the 

2011 Gold Award for Best Customer Conference 

and the 2010 Corporate Event Award for Best 

User Conference. She has authored many articles 

about successful conferences and delivered many 

seminars at industry gatherings. 

Kathy belongs to The Event Marketing Strategy 

Council (TEMSC) and the Corporate Event Marketers 

Association (CEMA). In 2010, she hosted 

the CEMA convention at Cisco Live for a highly 

lauded learning laboratory. We spoke just prior to 

the 2011 Cisco Live event in Las Vegas, July 10-14. 


POWER LUNCH 

SPONSORED BY 

>> BOB: What was your biggest challenge 

when you joined Cisco five years ago? 

KATHY: I inherited a very successful event 

– Networkers – Cisco’s annual customer 

conference. It had a great reputation 

of providing exceptional educational 

programming with superior customer 

satisfaction scores. My challenge was 

to evolve the conference to increase the 

return to the company by adding more 

value, expanding the audience to a larger 

segment of the Cisco customer base, and 

moving into customer segments which 

Networkers didn’t serve. 

>> BOB: How did you initially 

transform the event? 

KATHY: The toughest part was changing 

something that was not broken. 

The attendees as well as many Cisco 

employees were passionate about their 

Networkers conference and its focus on 

technical networking. To develop the 

event and attract new customer and 

partner audiences, I re-branded the event 

and launched Cisco Live in my first year. 

This strategy supported the Networkers’ 

programs and events under the Cisco Live 

umbrella. One big asset was the ability to 

leverage infrastructure and event services, 

as well as key components across the rebranded 

event such as executive keynotes, 

super sessions, exhibits and social events. 

The result was tremendous cost savings 

and cohesive messaging. 

>> BOB: How was this new 

concept initially received? 

KATHY: In the first year, we re-branded 

the event as Networkers at Cisco Live. In the 

second year, we went with Cisco Live as the 

main brand and Networkers as one of the 

events within the portfolio. It was critical 

that we communicated clearly to customers 

that their beloved Networkers event was 

not going away but would be enhanced 

with new opportunities such as attending 

four programs for the price of one. It 

was a great success. Today, we have nine 

programs with 600 sessions for various 

audiences under the Cisco Live umbrella. 

>> BOB: That’s really impressive. 

When did you take Cisco Live global? 

KATHY: It actually took three years. After 

developing the successful model with 

strong results in the U.S., we carefully 

rolled out the new brand and portfolio 

of events in Europe, then Australia, The 

Middle East and Mexico. We will soon 

launch Cisco Live in China and Singapore, 

which is very exciting. 

>> BOB: Was it difficult for your team 

to accomplish all these changes? 

KATHY: Not really. We started with a 

U.S.-focus and transitioned into a truly 

global team. We worked closely with 

international counterparts to develop 

standardized services, playbooks, best 

practices and support for the Cisco Live 

portfolio. Today Cisco Live is our flagship 

global event brand. It is highly leveraged 

as a strategic event platform for driving 

customer and partner loyalty, marketing 

and brand awareness, and increasing sales 

around the world. 

>> BOB: Can you quantify the success 

of this transformation? 

KATHY: Since we launched Cisco Live, 

all of our key business measurement 

and customer satisfaction scores have 

risen an average 36% including product 

awareness, purchase intent, customer 

satisfaction, customer loyalty and the 

value of the event. We have experienced 

tremendous growth in customer and 

partner attendance, ranging from 

60% to 70% globally, and increased 

160% in partner/sponsor revenue and 

participation. This has allowed us to 

fund all our global services and new 

programs and keep Cisco Live a self-funded 

marketing, education and sales initiative. 

>> BOB: Those are impressive growth 

statistics. When the economy slumped in 

2008 and you had to rethink your growth 

strategy, what measures did you take? 

KATHY: We saw travel come to a halt, 

and industry customer conferences were 

taking significant hits in attendance. Six 

months before our event, we knew that 

many of our customers wouldn’t be able 

to attend in person, so we decided to give 

customers the option to attend either in 

person or virtually. It was a risky move, 

but we figured it was better to have some 

engagement with them rather than nothing. 

We launched this hybrid program 

with a series of live and on-demand sessions, 

virtual exhibits, social media, contests, 

gaming, networking tools, lounges 

and chat capability. To market this, we 

waited later in the registration cycle to 

promote the virtual participation with 

options-based messaging. 


A T L A N T I C C I T Y 

We’re Always Meeting Expectations 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact our sales team at 1.888.222.3683 or visit us at atlanticcitynj.com.

POWER LUNCH 

SPONSORED BY 

>> BOB: What about all those 

experiential offerings at Cisco Live? 

KATHY: We create a total experience for 

our stakeholders by doing everything 

possible to personalize the event and 

let each one know we care about him/ 

her. Our integration of technology 

is very important to this overall 

experience. We offer a multitude of 

interactive experiences from solutions 

clinics to walk-up labs to one-on-one 

meetings with distinguished engineers 

and executives. There’s no shortage of 

networking at our great social events. 

There’s also a customer appreciation 

event with headline entertainment and 

activities. At this event, it’s a tradition to 

give every attendee a funky hat, and some 

of them have become collector’s items! 

This is one of the Networkers’ traditions 

that will definitely live on. Before they 

come to the conference, they “like” Cisco. 

After attending, they “love” us. 

Center Stage. The conference management team that worked with Kathy Doyle (center) to make 

Cisco Live a model for hybrid events in the tech sector takes a bow at their event in Las Vegas July 12. 

L to R: Heather Henderson, Global Cisco Live operations manager; Nancy Neipp, senior director, global 

events; Kathy Doyle; Erica Spoor, Global Cisco Live strategy manager; Staci Clark Global Cisco Live 

marketing & virtual manager; and Matthew Stein, Global Cisco Live content manager. 

>> BOB: What specifically do you 

mean by that? 

KATHY: We used the tagline, “You have 

choices: San Francisco or Virtual.” We 

offered a subscription-based model, 

where high-level content was available 

through a premier pass for $295. This 

pass gave total access to the full content 

library and custom hybrid activities. 

We started with the U.S. event and then 

rolled out the hybrid model with each 

of the international conferences. Today, 

we have 60,000 subscribers from 200 

countries participating in the platform. 

And the local Cisco sales offices leverage 

the hybrid event by hosting customers in 

satellite locations, adding their own social 

and networking activities. 

>> BOB: Obvious question: Did Cisco Live 

Virtual affect your overall show attendance? 

KATHY: At first, a lot of people asked us 

if we were concerned that our virtual 

conference would cannibalize in-person 

attendance. However, virtual did not 

replace physical attendance but rather 

created a global extension. We learned 

that it drove net-new audiences who 

would not otherwise attend. It also met 

our high-level objectives of driving 

customer loyalty via training and 

education, enabling customer success and 

increasing product awareness and sales. 

>> BOB: What is the profile of your 

at-show attendee base and how are 

you appealing to various audiences? 

KATHY: This year, we once again 

experienced record-breaking attendance 

with 15,000 participants and 200 

exhibitors at the U.S. conference. 

The majority of the attendance is 

our customers, followed by partners, 

analysts, prospects and press. We have 

created custom programs for our various 

audiences from C-level executives 

to technical network engineers and 

service providers. We leverage some of 

the programs across all audiences, but 

each segment has its own unique core 

program. The marketing campaign is 

segmented by program and audience, 

so we tailor the messaging and content 

offerings for specific audiences. 

>> BOB: How extensive is 

your social media plan? 

KATHY: From pre-event to on-site and 

post-event, our use of social media 

enhances every experience and builds 

an extensive network at the event. This 

enables robust wireless access and video 

usage for 13,000 heavy users and 20,000 

unique devices. We also have a very cool 

social media monitoring tool, where 

customers can tweet us and we respond 

and resolve issues in real-time. At first, 

our customers were surprised when we 

immediately tweeted back, answered 

questions or resolved issues – anything 

from “It’s cold in this meeting room” to 

“There is a bird flying around in Ballroom 

C.” We first launched this tool in 2010 

and had 50,000 tweets. 

>> BOB: And what about your mobile apps? 

KATHY: We have event mobile 

applications that provide real-time session 

information, session scheduling, event 

updates, session surveys, geo-location 

elements, gaming and much more. It’s 

fantastic to be able to provide so much 

information on everyone’s mobile device 

and/or tablets. The adoption rate has far 

exceeded our expectations, and we see 

service growing in the years ahead. 


SPONSORED BY 

>> BOB: Do you broadcast 

on-site during the event? 

KATHY: Yes. Video is everywhere at Cisco 

Live as we utilize Cisco’s Digital Media 

Solution. We have two full-scale broadcast 

TV studios on the show floor where 

we create daily programs incorporating 

highlights from our conference, keynotes, 

customer sound bites and interviews. 

For virtual attendees, we have the “Back 

Stage Pass” where they can see some of 

the behind-the-scenes action. Our goal is 

to create an immersive, conference-wide 

video experience for both the on-site and 

virtual attendees. Our motto is: “Video 

Everywhere from Anywhere.” 

>> BOB: I like that. Can you fill in 

some details for this year’s event? 

KATHY: We will produce and stream 

38 hours of video programming. The 

daily programs, called “Vibe Live,” are 

on UStream, using over 45 monitors 

throughout the convention center. This 

also goes to our virtual environment 

and all social media portals. We want to 

get beyond the convention center walls 

and reach many of our customers so 

they never miss any of the action and 

information. We know that the more 

people we can reach with the Cisco Live 

Experience, the more physical attendance 

we’ll drive to future events. 

>> BOB: What do you envision for 

this model in the next five years? 

KATHY: The virtual/hybrid event is changing 

so quickly that it’s hard to predict, but 

we are now less concerned about cannibalizing 

our live event. As a result, this 

year we are moving away from our feebased 

subscription model and offering full 

access at no cost. Our current philosophy 

is to share our content and drive stronger 

participation, engagement and customer 

success. We are also adding quite a bit 

more video into the mix and more closely 

integrating UStream, social media, chat 

capabilities and daily video programs created 

on-site. Very soon it will be more like 

interactive TV, with channel options and 

custom programming that meets specific 

needs. We envision a robust perpetual interactive 

community with everything tied 

to our existing social networks. And we 

have ongoing Meet the Experts programs 

taking place several times a month, giving 

us more opportunities to interact with 

our customers. 

>> BOB: What is the best business decision 

you’ve made in the past two years? 

KATHY: Actually, all of the best business 

decisions in the last five years revolve 

around recruiting and developing the 

best talent in the industry. The Cisco Live 

team is exceptional, across the board. 

I’m continually impressed by their 

innovation. They not only generate 

great ideas; they know how to create the 

strategies and then implement them. 

>> BOB: Tell me about your staff.? 

KATHY: There are 17 people in my 

department. The core team breaks into 

five key functions: Staci Clark leads 

global marketing; Erica Spoor leads 

event strategy; Heather Henderson 

is responsible for event operations; 

Matthew Stein leads the development 

and management of global content; 

and Rose Maugeri manages the global 

portfolio. They operate like owners of 

a business and are empowered to take 

their business in new directions. They 

are constantly trying new things and also 

have lieutenants with specialized expertise 

in key areas of the business. We also have 

excellent relationships with our vendor 

partners who help keep us on the leading 

edge. The team is very cohesive and 

are very well respected throughout the 

industry – I’m lucky to be a part of it. 

>> BOB: Who were your mentors? 

KATHY: Just about everyone I have 

worked with has provided mentorship: 

previous bosses, colleagues and staff 

members. When I first started, I really 

didn’t know what to expect but was 

given the opportunity to learn on the 

job. Bob Grenoble at Interex gave me a 

lot of responsibility and helped me feel 

confident in taking risks and trying new 

things. I’ve also been so fortunate to have 

other great mentors who taught me along 

the way: Bob Priest-Heck, Chuck Piercey, 

Heidi Melin, Kathy Sulgit, Nancy Neipp 

and Marilyn Mersereau. 

>> BOB: Any predictions about 

the trade show industry’s future? 

KATHY: I believe events will become more 

important and relevant than ever, and they 

will play an even more strategic role in the 

marketing mix. Technology in events will 

also become more important and drive 

the experience. As an example, we are 

currently adding to the “WOW” factor 

by utilizing a virtual presenter with Cisco 

Telepresence. It is amazing to have the virtual 

presenter on stage, interacting with a 

live audience in real time, but the presenter 

is actually in another city or country. The 

presenter is life-size and looks like he/she 

is standing in front of you. I predict that 

hotels and convention centers will be adding 

new technologies such as this into their 

facilities, which will change the experience 

and facilitate greater opportunities. 

>> BOB: What keeps you awake at night? 

KATHY: Thinking about what’s next to 

continually innovate and take the conferences 

to the next level. We are never done, 

but that’s also what keeps us energized. 

>> BOB: Conversely, what helps you sleep? 

KATHY: Having the “A Team” and 

incredibly supportive management. 

Contact Kathy Doyle at (408) 527-6927 

or kdoyle@cisco.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 



GoingGreen 

GUIDEBOOK 

what 

Recession? 

Going Green is Going Strong 

Despite the Economy 

The recession had the potential to cause the Green 

movement to wilt, but instead, green is hotter than 

ever and remains on track to even higher acceptance. 



– ADVERTORIAL – 



ATLANTIC CITY CONVENTION CENTER 

Atlantic City, New Jersey 

www.atlanticcitynj.com 

Sustainability Checklist: 

 

Building Certification 

LEED – certified, silver, gold, platinum 

BOMA – air quality 

Energy Star 

Catering 

Energy Management 

Environmentally Approved Products 

Indoor 

Air Quality 

Operations Management 

Transportation 

Waste Management 

Water Efficiency 

Green Initiatives 

The Atlantic City Convention Center was a green building 

from its inception, and has increased its green initiatives ever 

since. With a skylight covering the length of the building, it 

was constructed at an angle to track the sun all day, taking full 

advantage of the light. Today, the rest of the roof is completely 

covered with one of the largest single-roof solar systems in 

the country, which provided 28 percent of the facility’s energy 

in its fi rst year of operation. 

But the Atlantic City Convention Center’s green story 

doesn’t end there. 

Energy use has also been reduced through lighting 

retrofi ts, new door and air curtain installations, replacement of 

older video systems with LED video displays, and large fans to 

circulate the heat and air more effi ciently. 

Recycling efforts go far beyond the standard paper, 

cardboard, glass and plastic consumer items. Several tons of 

shrink wrap from packaging and boat wrap from a boat show 

have been recycled, along with more than 47,000 pounds 

of carpet, more than 2,000 pounds of wooden pallets, some 

5,500 pounds of electrical equipment, recyclable cartridges 

from soap dispensers, computer equipment, lamps, ballasts, 

batteries and excess building materials. 

In a unique partnership, landscaping materials from a large 

trade show were reused as landscaping improvements at the 

Convention Center, and in citywide beautifi cation projects. 

Green products are used throughout the Atlantic City 

Convention Center’s offi ces and public areas, and the food 

service utilizes local and organic produce whenever possible. 

Getting to Atlantic City and getting around can be 

green, too. The Atlantic City Rail Line, with daily service from 

Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station and seasonal weekend 

service from New York’s Penn Station is located at the 

Convention Center, and the city’s convenient 13-passenger 

jitney buses run on natural gas. 

According to Gary Musich, vice president of the Atlantic 

City Convention & Visitors Authority, “We’re proud of our 

record of going green while at the same time providing topquality 

service and keeping the comfort of our guests in mind.” 

Building 

Certifi cation 


Energy 

Management Environmentally 

Approved 

Products 

Indoor Air 

Quality 

Operations Transportation Waste 

Management 

Management



GUIDEBOOK 

Exhibitors continue to be demanding 

when it comes to ROI and scrutinizing 

their services bill. And during this 

rough patch in the economy, it would 

not be unreasonable to assume ecofriendly 

products and services, with their 

premium prices, would be among the first 

things sacrificed by trade show organizers 

and exhibitors. 

But “Going Green” did not fade away. 

The movement gained even more momentum 

as cities, facilities and vendors 

continued to take small steps and big steps 

to help out Mother Nature and appeal to 

The Hong Kong Convention and 

Exhibition Centre reduced its carbon 

footprint by 14% between 2007 and 

2009 by measures such as variable 

frequency drives on escalators and 

automatic-operated faucets. 

The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. 

associations and independent show organizers 

that have made sustainability part of 

their culture. And for convention centers 

in particular, Going Green can reduce 

operating costs. 

“Meeting planners and trade show organizers 

are planning green meetings and 

want their convention center partners to 

be environmentally responsible too,” said 

David Osterhout, director of operations at 

the George R. Brown (GRB) Convention 

Center in Houston. 

The GRB this 

Summer joined the 

growing ranks of convention centers with 

LEED certification. In this case, the GRB 

earned a “LEED Silver for Existing Buildings” 

certification, which generally means 

time and money devoted to planning, 

training and renovations across the wide 

range of requirements. 

Although politicians sometimes see 

environmental regulations as a drag on 

business, LEED certification was seen as a 

positive investment, even in an oil-centric 

city like Houston. 

“From a competitive standpoint, earning 

LEED certification was an important 

move for us,” said Luther Villagomez, 

general manager of GRB. “Becoming more 

energy efficient is a prudent bottom-line 

action step. Our clients will be happy and 

the environment is better for it.” 

Late last year, the Pasadena Convention 

Center had its LEED ticket stamped 

in the form of Gold certification, making it 

one of only three Gold convention centers 

in the nation. As was the case in Houston, 

the Californians gained a prestigious marketing 

tool. “It is an enticement for our clients,” 

said Michael Ross, CEO of Pasadena 

Center Operating Company. “They know 

they are hosting events in a facility that is 

actively protecting our precious resources.” 

Worldwide Trend 

Pasadena, Houston and a host of other 

cities have been greening up their 

convention infrastructure for more 

than a few years. And the trend is not 

limited to our nation. Developers have 

been following LEED guidelines in the 

construction of convention centers and 

hotels around the world. 

The Hong Kong Convention and 

Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) this Summer 

was saluted as the organization with the 

“Highest Amount of Carbon Footprint 

Reduction” among the 103 organizers 

receiving the Carbon Less Certificate. 

The HKCEC reduced its carbon footprint 

by 14% between 2007 and 2009 by measures 

such as variable frequency drives 

on escalators, automatic-operated faucets 

and strict control of a lights on/off policy. 



PASADENA CONVENTION CENTER 

Pasadena, California 

www.PasadenaCenter.com 



 

 





Energy Star 




Indoor Air Quality 






Because of its commitment to sustainability, the expanded 

Pasadena Convention Center has been awarded LEED ® Gold 

Certifi cation from the U.S. Green Building Council, making it 

one of the greenest convention centers in North America. 

The Pasadena Convention Center features a state-of-theart 

55,000-square-foot exhibit hall (expandable to 80,000 

square feet), 25,000-square-foot ballroom, 29 meeting 

rooms, 25,000 square feet of pre-function space, and the 

renowned 3,000-seat Pasadena Civic Auditorium. 

During construction of the $150 million facility, 85 percent 

of the construction waste was recycled, while 44 percent of 

the building materials were locally manufactured. 

The facility has been designed to perform 32 percent 

better than California’s energy effi ciency standards. This 

is done by using automated, high-effi ciency lighting and 

equipment, including LED technology. Cool roofs and the 

use of light-colored paving refl ect the sun’s heat instead of 

soaking it into the buildings. A new energy-effi cient central 

plant installed on site ensures the larger facility doesn’t 

increase demand on Pasadena’s electrical grid. 

Water-conserving restroom fi xtures reduce water 

consumption by 37 percent. The landscaping features 

drought-resistant native plants, and storm water run-off is 

used for irrigation. An aggressive recycling program manages 

show and operational waste to reduce the impact on landfi lls, 

save energy and reduce pollution. 

The Pasadena Convention Center encourages 

responsible commuting. The facility is just one-half mile 

from the Gold Line commuter rail station and within walking 

distance of three bus stops. Incentives are offered for 

employees using public transportation. Preferred parking 

is available for employee carpools and vanpools. 

Located 11 miles from downtown Los Angeles, the 

Pasadena Convention Center is within walking distance 

of 1,200 hotels rooms and Old Pasadena’s 200 shops, 

restaurants and clubs. The city offers 2,000 guestrooms, 

500 restaurants, golf, theatre, gardens, and museums 

with treasures such as an original Gutenberg Bible and 

masterpieces by Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Picasso. 

Building 

Certifi cation 


Energy 


Approved 

Products 

Indoor Air 

Quality 

Operations Transportation Waste 

Management 

Management 

Water 

Effi ciency



GUIDEBOOK 

Solar Pioneer 

Atlantic City, NJ – The Atlantic City 

Convention Center was among the 

pioneers in bringing solar energy to the 

trade show industry. 

When it was announced in 2008 

that a solar array would be built on the 

roof of the center, it was predicted to 

produce enough power to satisfy 26% 

of the building’s needs. But after three 

years of operation, the percentage has 

increased to 30%. 

The percentage could go up further 

in the near future as the center carries 

out upgrades to lighting and the steam 

and hot water systems. There are also 

plans in the works for a wind turbine 

at the center that provide another 16% 

of the building’s power. 

The 2.37-megawatt array was the 

largest single solar array in the U.S. 

at the time it was installed by Pepco 

Energy Services. It consists of 13,486 

The Hong Kong Award for 

Environmental Excellence was a local 

award, but its conservation efforts 

were impressive and will be noticed by 

organizers around the world. “We have 

had a green committee in place since 2007 

to formulate environmental measures for 

the HKCEC,” said Monica Lee-Müller, 

deputy managing director of HKCEC 

(Management) Ltd. “With more than 

1,000 events held at HKCEC annually, 

our long-term goal is to mobilize show 

organizers, exhibitors and visitors to join 

our carbon-reduction programs.” 

New Ideas 

When the Going Green movement began, 

it was up to individual entities to find ways 

to chip away at their environmental impact 

and come up with the right solutions for 

their buildings, events and products. 

As the years passed, ideas were exchanged 

and new techniques and products 

became standard features. It would be 

difficult in 2011 to find, for example, a 

trade show without a paper-saving digital 

program, a convention center without LED 

lighting, or a hotel that replaces each towel 

daily without giving their guests the option 

of using them one more day. 

The next few years will see a new 

generation of ideas, some of which are 

“We had projected production of 

26% of our electricity, based on an average 

year,” said Jeff Vasser, president of 

the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors 

Authority (ACCVA), which owns the 

center. “For the array to produce 30% 

percent, even in years when we had a 

high number of cloudy and rainy days, 

is outstanding.” 

mono crystalline panels and covers 

290,000 square feet, or about two 

thirds of the center’s roof. 

The ACCVA estimates solar power 

will cut the convention center’s electric 

bill by $4.4 million over the course of 

its 20-year power purchase agreement 

with Pepco. 

Meeting planners 

and trade show 

organizers are planning 

green meetings and 

want their convention 

center partners to 

be environmentally 

responsible too. 

David Osterhout 

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, 

GRB CONVENTION CENTER IN HOUSTON. 





FRONTIER AIRLINES CENTER 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 

www.frontierairlinescenter.com 





Energy Star 




Indoor Air Quality 






The Wisconsin Center District, which owns and operates 

the Frontier Airlines Center, the U.S. Cellular Arena, and the 

Milwaukee Theatre, has undertaken a series of initiatives to 

conserve energy, expand recycling and reduce waste in its 

ongoing efforts to be a “greener” organization. 

“Aside from the clear environmental benefi ts, these 

changes are critical to the continued success of our venues, 

and we chose to invest in greener infrastructure,” said 

Wisconsin Center District President and CEO Richard Geyer. 

“This is just the beginning of our efforts. We will continue 

to look for new and inventive ways to save money, conserve 

energy, serve our customers and protect the environment in 

our community.” 

Among the changes at the Wisconsin Center District are: 

• All-new, effi cient HVA C system with recalibrated controls 

to reduce energy usage by 10 to 15 percent, including set 

point sensors reset to 68-72 degrees; 

• Motion sensor lighting controls installed in restrooms and 

elevators, reducing electricity usage by 35 to 60 percent; 

• Ongoing fi xture replacement to utilize high-pressure 

sodium, compact fl uorescent, LED and other higheffi ciency 

light sources; 

• “Low Flow” restroom fi xtures, including motion sensors and 

automatic shutoffs; 

• High-Recycled content and fully-recyclable disposable 

food service items; 

• Comprehensive, single-stream waste recycling under 

development in cooperation with Levy Restaurants and 

Waste Management, Inc. 

“We are proud to join the trend of going green to lessen 

our environmental impact and carbon footprint in Milwaukee,” 

said Frank Gimbel, Wisconsin Center District Board Chairman. 

“We encourage other Milwaukee-area businesses to go green 

and commit to making a real difference.” 

The District will pursue “green” certifi cation once 

equipment is acquired and single-stream solid waste recycling 

is fully implemented. 


Energy 


Approved 

Products 

Indoor Air 

Quality 

Operations Waste 

Management Management 

Water 

Effi ciency



GUIDEBOOK 

Steps to Take for a Greener Meeting 

The APEX standards will provide trade 

show organizers with a universally 

accepted platform for ensuring that 

their events are as green as they can 

make them. But the industry has 

already blazed the trail and established 

some practical steps that can be taken. 

#1 Get it in Writing 

Inserting green goals into a formal 

contract puts organizers and vendors 

on the same path. It has the added 

benefit of putting your team on notice 

that “Going Green” is not just a 

concept, it is part of the business plan 

for the event. Measure performance, 

such as how much waste was recycled 

and how much electricity was used. 

Such measurements provide a 

benchmark for future shows. 

#2 Reduce paper consumption 

Placing as much material as possible into 

digital format pays off in several ways. 

It cuts down on waste and also reduces 

printing costs. When you must use print 

copies, specify recycled paper whenever 

possible. Use vegetable-based inks and 

print on both sides of the paper. 

#3 Make Recycling Work 

Before selecting a venue, check to 

see what material is recycled in 

that particular city. Alert attendees 

that recycling bins are available on 

the show floor. Clearly mark the 

containers and make sure the cleaning 

crews follow recycling collection 

procedures. Look for name badges 

and lanyards made from recycled or 

biodegradable materials. 

#4 Take Care of the Leftovers 

Scout out soup kitchens and other 

charities in the venue city that can pick 

up and safely transport large volumes of 

leftover food. A lot of food waste can be 

shipped off to a commercial composter, 

if one is available in the area. 

#5 Water Worries 

Eliminating bottled water in favor of 

old-fashioned pitchers and glasses cuts 

down on throw-away plastic and also 

conserves water in cities where supplies 

can be tight. 

#6 In the Restroom 

Convention centers should use organic 

fair-trade soaps, recycled paper products 

and low-flow faucets and toilets. 

#7 HVAC Coordination 

Most convention centers and hotels 

have become adept at turning off lights 

and air-conditioning in unoccupied 

rooms. That trims power consumption 

and utility costs. 

already coming on line. This Spring, SMG 

installed the ORCA Green Machine at the 

Tulsa Convention Center. The ORCA is a 

device that composts leftover food onsite 

without requiring a truck to haul it to a 

facility outside of town. 

In Portland, the management of 

the Oregon Convention Center (OCC) 

replaced its in-house Starbucks stands 

with the Portland Roasting brand effective 

August 1. The move was more than 

just bringing in a hometown company. 

“Offering Portland Roasting allows us to 

improve the coffee-drinking experience 

for our clients while adding to our long 

list of green operations,” said General 

Manager Jeff Blosser. The company is 

located just a few blocks from the OCC, 

which allows its delivery people to haul 

their biodegradable sacks of coffee beans 

to the center on bicycles. And if they need 

a vehicle to keep up with demand on busy 

days, the company has an electric Nissan 

Leaf at its disposal. 

APEX Standards Almost in Sight 

With ideas and efforts coming from all 

corners and covering everything from 

rooftop gardens and solar arrays to paperless 

invitations, it is small wonder that 

putting together a list of best practices for 

show organizers is still a work in progress. 

But progress is being made. The Convention 

Industry Council (CIC) announced 

this Summer that the APEX-led program to 

develop standards for sustainable meetings 

was nearing the finish line. 

Eight of the nine separate draft 

standards were complete as of June and 

had passed their initial review. “We know 

there is a lot of anticipation within the 

industry,” said Karen Kotowski, CEO of 

the CIC. “The process has been a long one 

due to the overwhelming interest and we 

are right now at the finish line.” 

The standards have in the works since 

2008, and with the continued high level of 

interest in the greening of the trade show 

industry, it will probably not be the last 

word on the topic. TSE 


Green Your 

Show 

Let United 

 

 

Find out how United can 

Green your show and reduce your costs 

Richard A. Simon 

President & CEO 

VP of Operations, 

Maintenance 

Buddy Linn 

VP, General 

Manager 

Call (312) 922-8558 

or visit www.unitedhq.com 

Raymond Santos 

VP of Operations, 

National 

 

 

#1 in Cleaning and Maintenance Services for Trade Shows

TSE’s Trade Show Locator 

ZOOM Presents the Leading 

Shows Coming Up in North America 

BY LETICIA COTTON, editorial coordinator 

SPONSORED BY 

Whether you need a quick reminder of shows on 

the horizon or are studying the market for potential 

partnerships, co-locations or acquisitions, here 

is a list of 77 of the most important trade shows 

scheduled for August. Each show is listed by industry 

category and contains both a wide-angle and closeup 

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 each 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 lcotton@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Show Name/Management/Web Address Show Manager Dates Venue/City/State Projected Size 

ADVERTISING & MARKETING 

ASI Holiday Preview Mary Upton 9/14/15 Sands Expo & Convention Center 40,000 nsf 

The ASI Show VP of Trade Show Operations 9/15/15 Las Vegas, NV 330 Exhibitors 

www.asishow.com 215-953-3197 2,500 Attendees 

AEROSPACE & AVIATION 

AEROCON Kevin O’Keefe 9/21/15 McCormick Place NSF Not Supplied 

Canon Communications LLC Senior Vice President 9/23/15 Chicago, IL Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.canontradeshows.com 310-445-4200 Attendees Not Supplied 

AOPA Aviation Summit Liz Tarver 9/23/15 Connecticut Convention Center NSF Not Supplied 

Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Director 9/25/15 & Hartford-Brainard Airport Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.aopa.org 301-695-2000 Hartford, CT Attendees Not Supplied 

AGRICULTURE & FARMING 

Farm Science Review Chuck Gamble 9/21/15 Molly Caren Agricultural Center 2,313,471 nsf 

The Ohio State University Show Manager 9/23/15 London, OH 623 Exhibitors 

fsr.osu.edu 614-292-4278 130,000 Attendees 

AMUSEMENT, ENTERTAINMENT & GAMING 

APEX 2011 EXPO Mimi Ruffing 9/13/15 Washington State Convention Center NSF Not Supplied 

APEX - Airline Passenger Experience Assn. Exhibit & Sponsorship Sales 9/16/15 Seattle, WA Exhibitors Not Supplied 

apex.aero 321-868-4586 Attendees Not Supplied 

APPAREL, BEAUTY, SHOES & TEXTILES 

ABC Kids Expo Larry Schur 9/24/15 Kentucky Exposition Center 367,000 nsf 

Schur Management & Consulting President 9/27/15 Louisville, KY 1,003 Exhibitors 

www.theabcshow.com 210-691-4848 x 107 14,655 Attendees 

Denver International Western/ Amy Thomas 9/10/15 Denver Merchandise Mart Complex 9,290 nsf 

English Apparel & Equipment Market Show Manager 9/13/15 Denver, CO 50 Exhibitors 

Denver Western & English Sales Association 303-295-1040 1,600 Attendees 

www.denver-wesa.com 

Fashion Coterie- Sole Commerce Mike Sampson 9/19/15 Jacob K. Javits Convention Center NSF Not Supplied 

ENK International Trade Events Director 9/21/15 New York, NY 1,500 Exhibitors 

www.enkshows.com 646-841-1446 18,000 Attendees 

Imprinted Sportswear Atlanta Nikki Houston 9/9/15 Cobb Galleria Centre 20,000 nsf 

Nielsen Show Director 9/11/15 Atlanta, GA 115 Exhibitors 

www.issshows.com 770-291-5416 2,450 Attendees 

Imprinted Sportswear Fort Worth Nikki Houston 9/30/15 Fort Worth Convention Center 34,500 nsf 

Nielsen Show Director 10/2/15 Fort Worth, TX 215 Exhibitors 

www.issshows.com 770-291-5416 4,920 Attendees 



 

SPONSORED BY 


APPAREL, BEAUTY, SHOES & TEXTILES continued 

The Profile Show Michael Dargavel 9/11/15 Toronto Congress Centre 84,000 nsf 

Ontario Fashion Exhibitors Show Manager 9/14/15 Toronto, ON Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.ofeshows.ca 416-596-2401 x225 3,000 Attendees 

AUTOMOTIVE, TRUCKING & TRANSPORTATION 

Assembly & Automation Technology Expo Kevin O’Keefe 9/21/15 McCormick Place NSF Not Supplied 

Canon Communications LLC Senior Vice President 9/23/15 Chicago, IL Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.canontradeshows.com 310-445-4200 Attendees Not Supplied 

BusCon Michelle Mendez 9/14/15 Navy Pier 60,270 nsf 

Bobit Business Media Director of Events 9/15/15 Chicago, IL 150 Exhibitors 

www.busconexpo.com 310-533-2453 2,150 Attendees 

NATDA Trade Show Jesse Battle 9/9/15 Dallas Convention Center NSF Not Supplied 

North American Trailer Dealers Association Director of Operations 9/11/15 Dallas, TX Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.natda.org 727-360-0304 Attendees Not Supplied 

BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION 

BCA Construction & Design Expo Lori Harvey 9/29/15 Allen County War Memorial 61,700 nsf 

Building Contractors Association of Executive Director 9/30/15 Coliseum & Exposition Center 150 Exhibitors 

Northeast Indiana 260-483-9596 Fort Wayne, IN 5,000 Attendees 

www.bcatradeshow.com 

Connections Convention & Trade Show Jennifer Wilkinson 9/8/15 Las Vegas Hilton 80,000 nsf 

Connections Events, Inc. Show Contact 9/10/15 Las Vegas, NV 275 Exhibitors 

www.connectionsconvention.org 888-881-1001 3,000 Attendees 

Expo Nacional Ferretera Show Management 9/2/15 Expo Guadalajara 371,355 nsf 

Expo Nacional Ferretera +52 (55) 5636-0460 9/4/15 Guadalajara, Jal 985 Exhibitors 

www.expoferretera.com.mx 

70,000 Attendees 

FBMA’s MAIN Event & Betty Askew 9/23/15 Gaylord Palms Hotel & Conv. Center 55,000 nsf 

Gulf Atlantic Building Products Expo Director of Operations 9/24/15 Kissimmee, FL 100 Exhibitors 

Florida Building Material Association 352-383-0366 x223 2,000 Attendees 

www.fbmamainevent.com 

GlassBuild America Denise Sheehan 9/13/15 Georgia World Congress Center 106,725 

National Glass Association VP, Industry Events 9/15/15 Atlanta, GA 375 Exhibitors 

www.glassbuildamerica.com 866-342-5642 6,944 Attendees 

HVAC Comfortech Joe Marino 9/22/15 Indiana Convention Center & 35,000 nsf 

Contracting Business Magazine/ Exhibit Manager 9/24/15 Lucas Oil Stadium 200 Exhibitors 

Penton Media, Inc. 216-931-9380 www.hvaccomfortech.com 4,000 Attendees 

www.hvaccomfortech.com 

IIDEX/NeoCon Canada Tracy Bowie 9/23/15 Direct Energy Centre, 95,000 nsf 

MMPI Canada Vice President of Sales 9/24/15 Exhibition Place 400 Exhibitors 

www.iidexneocon.com 416-960-4518 Toronto, ON 15,450 Attendees 

NAEC Annual Convention & Expo Patti Bonner 9/15/15 New Orleans Ernest N. Morial NSF Not Supplied 

National Assn. of Elevator Contractors Trade Show/Education Manager 9/16/15 Convention Center Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.naec.org 888-847-7530 New Orleans, LA Attendees Not Supplied 

COMMUNICATIONS & BROADCASTING 

BICSI Fall Conference & Exhibition Kim Osterman 9/19/15 MGM Grand Hotel & Casino 25,000 nsf 

BICSI Acting Director of 9/23/15 Las Vegas, NV 150 Exhibitors 

www.bicsi.org Conferences & Events 6,000 Attendees 

813-979-1991 




SPONSORED BY 

 

 


COMMUNICATIONS & BROADCASTING continued 

FTTH Conference & Expo Laura Chajkowski 9/27/15 Walt Disney World Swan & 31,000 nsf 

Legend Conference Planning Principal 10/1/15 Dolphin Resort 170 Exhibitors 

www.ftthconference.com 613-226-9988 x5 Lake Buena Vista, FL 2,500 Attendees 

ITEXPO West Rich Tehrani 9/14/15 Austin Convention Center 95,000 nsf 

Technology Marketing Corporation CEO/Editor in Chief 9/16/15 Austin, TX 215 Exhibitors 

www.tmcnet.com 203-852-6800 7,196 Attendees 

Radio Show Dennis Wharton 9/15/15 Hyatt Regency Chicago’s 15,000 nsf 

Radio Advertising Bureau & Executive VP, Media Relations 9/17/15 Riverside Center 95 Exhibitors 

National Association of Broadcasters 202-429-5350 Chicago, IL 3,300 Attendees 

www.radioshowweb.com 

COMPUTERS & SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS 

Fusion Michele Nessier 9/26/15 Walter E. Washington Conv. Center NSF Not Supplied 

itSMF USA Exhibit & Sponsorship Sales 9/29/15 Washington, DC Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.servicemanagementfusion.com 650-416-2402 Attendees Not Supplied 

DENTAL 

CDA Presents the Art and Science of Dentistry Debi Irwin 9/23/15 The Moscone Center, South Hall 85,000 nsf 

California Dental Association Vice President 9/25/15 San Francisco, CA 400 Exhibitors 

www.cdapresents.com 800-736-7071 16,000 Attendees 

EDUCATION, TRAINING, SCIENCE & RESEARCH 

50th Interscience Conference on Carrie Morin 9/18/15 McCormick Place 50,000 nsf 

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Exhibits Manager 9/21/15 Chicago, IL 116 Exhibitors 

American Society for Microbiology 202-942-9240 11,000 Attendees 

www.icaac.org 

APSA Annual Meeting & Exhibition Lauren West 9/2/15 Washington State Conv. Center 34,000 nsf 

American Political Science Association Dir., Meetings & Conferences 9/5/15 Seattle, WA 120 Exhibitors 

www.apsanet.org 202-483-2512 7,000 Attendees 

NSH Annual Symposium & Convention Aubrey Wanner 9/19/15 Duke Energy Convention Center 65,000 nsf 

National Society for Histotechnology Meeting Manager 9/21/15 Cincinnati, OH 100 Exhibitors 

www.nsh.org 443-535-4065 1,300 Attendees 

National Assn. for College Admission Bethany Blue Chirico 9/23/15 New Orleans Ernest N. Morial 50,000 nsf 

Counseling National Conference Dir. of Education, National 9/25/15 Convention Center 200 Exhibitors 

NACAC Conference & Meetings New Orleans, LA 5,000 Attendees 

www.nacacnet.org 703-299-6834 

TASA/TASB Annual Convention Laurie Korn 10/1/15 Austin Convention Center 60,000 nsf 

Texas Association of School Boards Exhibits Manager 10/2/15 Austin, TX 400 Exhibitors 

www.tasa.tasb.org 512-467-3611 6,000 Attendees 

ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS 

CEDIA EXPO Debbie Antrim 9/8/15 Indiana Convention Center & 343,072 nsf 

Custom Electronic Design & Director of Trade Shows 9/11/15 Lucas Oil Stadium 453 Exhibitors 

Installation Association 800-669-5329 x132 Indianapolis, IN 20,721 Attendees 

www.cedia.org/expo 

IPC Midwest Conference & Exposition Albert Sabbah 9/22/15 Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & 29,000 nsf 

IPC & Canon Communications LLC Group Sales Manager 9/23/15 Convention Center 1,500 Exhibitors 

www.devicelink.com/expo/emidwest11 310-996-9473 Schaumburg, IL 30,000 Attendees 

*Co-located with MD&M Midwest, Design & Manufacturing Midwest, et. al 



SPONSORED BY 


EXHIBITION & MEETING INDUSTRY 

HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® National Arina Kravets 9/8/15 Walter E. Washington Conv. Center 50,000 nsf 

J. Spargo & Associates, Inc. Exposition Management 9/9/15 Washington, DC 400 Exhibitors 

www.affordablemeetings.com 703-631-6200 1,700 Attendees 

FINANCIAL, INSURANCE & LEGAL SERVICES 

FICPA Annual Accounting Show Drew Miller 9/22/15 Greater Ft. Lauderdale/ 65,000 nsf 

Florida Institute of CPAs Marketing Manager 9/24/15 Broward County Convention Center 160 Exhibitors 

www.ficpa.org 850-224-2727 x270 Fort Lauderdale, FL 1,200 Attendees 

NAIFA Career Conference & Annual Meeting Show Management 9/11/15 Washington Hilton 148,000 nsf 

Nat'l Assn. of Insurance & Financial Advisors 703-770-8100 9/15/15 Washington, DC Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.naifa.org 

1,700 Attendees 

FOOD & BEVERAGE 

International Dairy Show Robin Cornelison 9/20/15 Georgia World Congress Center 70,000 nsf 

International Dairy Foods Association Show Manager 9/22/15 Atlanta, GA 300 Exhibitors 

www.dairyshow.com 202-737-4332 5,000 Attendees 

Philadelphia Nat'l Candy Gift & Gourmet Show Francis Cox 9/12/15 Atlantic City Convention Center 30,000 nsf 

Philadelphia Nat'l Candy Gift & Gourmet Show Show Chairman 9/14/15 Atlantic City, NJ 150 Exhibitors 

www.phillycandyshow.com 888-226-3989 4,000 Attendees 

Price Chopper Show Barbara Page 9/22/15 Connecticut Convention Center NSF Not Supplied 

Price Chopper Manager of PR & 9/22/15 Hartford, CT Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.pricechopper.com Community Relations Attendees Not Supplied 

518-379-1294 

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY 

GTC East Lisa Probst 9/15/15 Empire State Plaza Conv. Center 18,000 nsf 

Government Technology Director of Operations 9/16/15 Albany, NY 160 Exhibitors 

www.govtech.com 916-932-1412 5,000 Attendees 

Modern Day Marine Charlie Baisley 9/28/15 Marine Core Base Quantico 136,000 nsf 

Nielsen Exhibit & Sponsorship Sales 9/30/15 Quantico, VA 540 Exhibitors 

www.marinemilitaryexpos.com 703-812-2741 10,000 Attendees 

NDTA Forum & Expo Denny Edwards 9/11/15 Phoenix Convention Center NSF Not Supplied 

National Defense Transportation Assn. Vice President Marketing & 9/15/15 Phoenix, AZ Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.ndtahq.com Corporate Development Attendees Not Supplied 

703-751-5011 

HOME FURNISHINGS, INTERIOR DESIGN & LANDSCAPING 

Atlanta Home Show - Fall Michael Schoppenhorst 9/24/15 Cobb Galleria Centre 120,000 nsf 

SEMCO Productions, LLC Show Director 9/26/15 Atlanta, GA 300 Exhibitors 

www.atlantahomeshow.com 770-998-9800 20,000 Attendees 

CanWest Horticulture Show Karen DeJong 9/29/15 Vancouver Convention Centre 40,000 nsf 

BC Landscape & Nursery Association Show Manager, Seminar & 9/30/15 Vancouver, BC 250 Exhibitors 

www.canwesthortshow.com Tour Coordinator 3,500 Attendees 

604-574-7772 

Hospitality Design Boutique Liz Sommerville 9/14/15 Miami Beach Convention Center 70,000 nsf 

Nielsen Group Show Director 9/15/15 Miami Beach, FL 550 Exhibitors 

www.hdboutique.com 770-291-5456 5,000 Attendees 

The Landscape Show Sabrina Haines 9/30/15 Orange County Convention Center 87,000 nsf 

Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Assn. Trade Show Services Manager 10/2/15 Orlando, FL 427 Exhibitors 

www.fngla.org 407-295-7994 7,239 Attendees 




SPONSORED BY 

ntario, 

Southern California 

• Over 150,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting 

& exhibition space 

• Over 2500 guest rooms within easy 

walking distance 

• Next to LA/Ontario International Airport, 

with over 200 daily flights from major U.S. hubs 

www.ontariocc.com 


HOME FURNISHINGS, INTERIOR DESIGN & LANDSCAPING continued 

Miami Home Design & Remodeling Show Steve Plotkin 9/3/15 Miami Beach Convention Center 290,000 nsf 

Home Show Management Corp. Producer 9/7/15 Miami Beach, FL Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.homeshows.net 305-667-9299 Attendees Not Supplied 

MANUFACTURING & PACKAGING 

IMX (Interactive Manufacturing Experience) Show Management 9/13/15 Las Vegas Convention Center NSF Not Supplied 

Society of Manufacturing Engineers 888-322-7333 9/15/15 Las Vegas, NV Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.imxevent.com 

Attendees Not Supplied 

Medical Design & Manufacturing Kevin O’Keefe 9/21/15 McCormick Place NSF Not Supplied 

(MD&M) Midwest, Design & Manufacturing Senior Vice President 9/23/15 Chicago, IL 2,000 Exhibitors 

Midwest, PLASTEC Midwest 310-445-4200 40,000 Attendees 

Canon Communications, LLC 

www.devicelink.com/expo/mdmmw11 

PACK Expo Kim Beaulieu 9/27/15 Las Vegas Convention Center 521,147 nsf 

a2z Inc. Director, Exhibit Services 9/29/15 Las Vegas, NV 1,140 Exhibitors 

exhibitorsales.packexpo.com 703-243-8555 x 3187 33,967 Attendees 

MEDICAL & HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS 

AAFP Scientific Assembly Kristy Wilson 9/15/15 Orange County Convention Center 113,000 nsf 

American Academy of Family Physicians Exhibits Manager 9/18/15 Orlando, FL 400 Exhibitors 

www.aafp.org 800-274-2237 14,000 Attendees 

AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Expo Tamara Burakowski 9/12/15 Moscone Center 70,000 nsf 

American Academy of Otolaryngology - Director, Meetings & Exhibits 9/15/15 San Francisco, CA 275 Exhibitors 

Head & Neck Surgery Foundation 703-535-3784 9,000 Attendees 

www.entnet.org 

AAOMS Annual Meeting, Valerie A. Wolf 9/13/15 Pennsylvania Convention Center 54,000 nsf 

Scientific Sessions & Exhibition Exhibition Manager 9/18/15 Philadelphia, PA 200 Exhibitors 

American Association of 800-822-6637 x4316 5,000 Attendees 

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons 

www.aaoms.org 

AOPA National Assembly Tina M. Moran 9/20/15 The Mirage Resort & Casino 40,000 nsf 

American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association Dir. of Meetings & Conventions 9/23/15 Las Vegas, NV 200 Exhibitors 

www.aopanet.org 571-431-0808 2,200 Attendees 

AHE Annual Conference & Sandra Rials 9/26/15 Gaylord Palms Hotel & Conv. Center 20,000 nsf 

Healthcare Marketplace Manager, Education 9/29/15 Kissimmee, FL 200 Exhibitors 

Corcoran Expositions, Inc. 312-422-3856 Attendees Not Supplied 

www.ahe.org 

ENA Annual Conference Helen Pollard 9/23/15 Tampa Convention Center 100,000 nsf 

Emergency Nurses Association Director of Meetings & 9/25/15 Tampa, FL 450 Exhibitors 

www.ena.org Exhibit Services 5,000 Attendees 

847-460-4122 

Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Rick Gabler 9/15/15 Washington Marriott Wardman Park NSF Not Supplied 

Association Annual Conference Director of Marketing 9/18/15 Washington, DC Exhibitors Not Supplied 

Anthony J. Jannetti Inc. 856-256-2314 Attendees Not Supplied 

www.gapna.org 

Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo Jenabeth Ferguson 9/21/15 Navy Pier 18,000 nsf 

JD Events Event Dir. & Program Manager 9/23/15 Chicago, IL 200 Exhibitors 

www.hcarefacilities.com 508-759-0075 2,500 Attendees 



SPONSORED BY 


MEDICAL & HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS continued 

International Vision Expo & Conference Tom Loughran 9/23/15 Sands Expo & Convention Center 162,700 nsf 

Reed Exhibitions Event Director 9/25/15 Las Vegas, NV 468 Exhibitors 

www.visionexpowest.com 203-840-4800 14,000 Attendees 

National Mother Baby Nurses Conference Rick Gabler 9/8/15 Washington Marriott Wardman Park NSF Not Supplied 

Anthony J. Jannetti Inc. Director of Marketing 9/11/15 Washington, DC Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.neonatalnetwork.com 856-256-2314 Attendees Not Supplied 

*Co-located with National Neonatal Nurses Conference 

National Neonatal Nurses Conference Rick Gabler 9/8/15 Washington Marriott Wardman Park NSF Not Supplied 

Anthony J. Jannetti Inc. Director of Marketing 9/11/15 Washington, DC Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.neonatalnetwork.com 856-256-2314 Attendees Not Supplied 

*Co-located with National Mother Baby Nurses Conference 

Natural Products Expo East Erica Stone 9/22/15 Baltimore Convention Center NSF Not Supplied 

New Hope Natural Media, Director 9/25/15 Baltimore, MD Exhibitors Not Supplied 

a division of Penton Media 303-998-9408 Attendees Not Supplied 

www.expoeast.com 

PLANT ENGINEERING & OPERATIONS 

Northern California Facilities Expo Lisa Nagle 9/22/15 Santa Clara Convention Center NSF Not Supplied 

Cygnus Expositions Show Manager 9/23/15 Santa Clara, CA Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.facilitiesexpo.com 800-827-8009 x4402 Attendees Not Supplied 

POLICE, FIRE, SECURITY & EMERGENCY SERVICES 

NTOA’s Tactical Operations Rob Cartner 9/19/15 Richmond Marriott Hotel 41,000 nsf 

Conference & Vendor Show Conference Director 9/24/15 Richmond, VA 205 Exhibitors 

National Tactical Officers Assn. 800-279-9127 825 Attendees 

www.ntoa.org 

New York Law Enforcement Expo Kelly Simon 9/15/15 Turning Stone Resort & Casino NSF Not Supplied 

Kelly Simon Trade Shows President 9/16/15 Verona, NY Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.pittsburghfireexpo.com 724-216-1083 Attendees Not Supplied 

Ohio Law Enforcement Expo Kelly Simon 9/21/15 International Exposition NSF Not Supplied 

Kelly Simon Trade Shows President 9/22/15 Center (I-X Center) Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.pittsburghfireexpo.com 724-216-1083 Cleveland, OH Attendees Not Supplied 

Ohio Fire Rescue & EMS Expo Kelly Simon 9/24/15 International Exposition NSF Not Supplied 

Kelly Simon Trade Shows President 9/25/15 Center (I-X Center) Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.pittsburghfireexpo.com 724-216-1083 Cleveland, OH Attendees Not Supplied 

Security Canada Atlantic Steve Basnett 9/15/15 Holiday Inn Halifax Harbourview NSF Not Supplied 

Canadian Security Association Dir., Trade Shows & Events 9/15/15 Dartmouth, NS Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.securitycanadaexpo.com 905-513-0622 x224 Attendees Not Supplied 

PRINTING, GRAPHICS, PHOTOGRAPHY & PUBLISHING 

DigitalVideo Expo Denise Miller 9/21/15 Pasadena Convention Center 9,230 nsf 

NewBay Media Expo Manager 9/23/15 Pasadena, CA 80 Exhibitors 

www.dvexpo.com 303-420-0130 4,500 Attendees 

GRAPH Expo Ralph Nappi 9/12/15 McCormick Place 277,134 nsf 

Graphic Arts Show Company President 9/15/15 Chicago, IL 506 Exhibitors 

www.gasc.org/GRAPHEXPO11 (703) 264-7200 19,961 Attendees 

The NBM Show - Baltimore Susan Hueg 9/9/15 Baltimore Convention Center 45,000 nsf 

National Business Media, Inc. Dir., Exhibitions & Events 9/11/15 Baltimore, MD 200 Exhibitors 

thenbmshow.com 303-469-0424 x 204 5,500 Attendees 




We built it and you came. 

And you came back. 

And you came back. 

SPONSORED BY 

www.thehrcc.com www.visithampton.com 800-487-8778 


PUBLIC WORK 

International Public Works Dana Priddy 9/19/15 Colorado Convention Center 105,000 nsf 

Congress & Exposition Director of Meetings 9/22/15 Denver, CO 650 Exhibitors 

APWA (American Public Works Assn.) 816-472-6100 x 5241 8,500 Attendees 

www.apwa.net 

REAL ESTATE, BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES & LAND DEVELOPMENT 

Omaha Products Show Bob Mancuso, Jr. 9/15/15 Qwest Center Omaha NSF Not Supplied 

Mid-America Expositions, Inc. Show Manager 9/16/15 Omaha, NE Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.showofficeonline.com 402-346-8003 Attendees Not Supplied 

SPORTING GOODS & RECREATION 

America’s Largest RV Show Heather Leach 9/13/15 Giant Center/Hershey 640,011 nsf 

Pennsylvania RV & Camping Association Marketing & Education Dir. 9/14/15 Entertainment & Resorts 206 Exhibitors 

www.largestrvshow.com 888-303-2887 Hershey, PA 35,020 Attendees 

Health + Fitness Business Andy Tompkins 9/15/15 Sands Expo & Convention Center NSF Not Supplied 

Nielsen Vice President/Show Director 9/17/15 Las Vegas, NV Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.healthandfitnessbiz.com 949-226-5712 Attendees Not Supplied 

Interbike International Expo Andy Tompkins 9/15/15 Sands Expo & Convention Center NSF Not Supplied 

Nielsen Show Director 9/17/15 Las Vegas, NV 694 Exhibitors 

www.interbike.com 949-226-5750 24,698 Attendees 

Surf Expo Roy Turner 9/9/15 Orange County Convention Center 187,300 nsf 

dmg world media Show Director 9/11/15 Orlando, FL 692 Exhibitors 

www.surfexpo.com 678-781-7979 15,000 Attendees 

TOYS, HOBBIES & GIFTS 

The Chicago Market - Fall Myron Maurer 9/13/15 The Merchandise Mart NSF Not Supplied 

MMPI Senior VP, General Manager 9/15/15 Chicago, IL 1,000 Exhibitors 

www.shopchicagomarket.com 312-527-7523 15,000 Attendees 

The L.A. Mart Fall Market Peggy Coleman 9/19/15 L.A. Mart NSF Not Supplied 

MMPI VP of Marketing, L.A. Mart 9/21/15 Los Angeles, CA Exhibitors Not Supplied 

www.lamartgift.com/fall-market 213-763-5811 Attendees Not Supplied 

Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show Lisa Glosson 9/21/15 Las Vegas Convention Center NSF Not Supplied 

Urban Expositions Show Director 9/24/15 Las Vegas, NV 800 Exhibitors 

www.lvsouvenirshow.com 678-285-3976 x334 Attendees Not Supplied 

TRAVEL, HOTELS & RESTAURANTS 

Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show Nancy Hughes 9/9/15 Orange County Convention Center NSF Not Supplied 

Reed Exhibitions Operations Manager 9/11/15 Orlando, FL 500 Exhibitors 

www.flrestaurantandlodgingshow.com 203-840-5904 Attendees Not Supplied 

THETRADESHOW Scott Goss 9/12/15 Las Vegas Convention Center 58,500 nsf 

(Travel Retailing And Destination Expo) Trade Show Manager 9/14/15 Las Vegas, NV 500 Exhibitors 

THETRADESHOW 703-739-2782 5,200 Attendees 

www.thetradeshow.org 

VETERINARY 

National Pet Industry Trade Show Roselyne Lévêque 9/19/15 International Center 87,000 nsf 

Pet Industry Joint Advisory Events Coordinator 9/20/15 Mississauga, ON 209 Exhibitors 

Council of Canada 800-667-7452 1,700 Attendees 

www.pijaccanada.com 

SuperZoo Doug Poindexter 9/14/15 Mandalay Bay Convention Center 130,000 nsf 

World Pet Association President 9/16/15 Las Vegas, NV 750 Exhibitors 

www.superzoo.org 626-447-2222 10,275 Attendees 



SPONSORED BY 


WATER, ENERGY & POWER 

Autovation Karen Cioni 9/26/15 Gaylord National Resort & 21,000 nsf 

Utilimetrics Show Contact 9/29/15 Convention Center 100 Exhibitors 

www.utilimetrics.org 847-227-0414 National Harbor, MD 1,600 Attendees 

International Pipeline Exposition Michael Peace 9/26/15 Calgary TELUS Convention Centre 27,400 nsf 

dmg world media Exhibit & Sponsorship Sales 9/28/15 Calgary, AB 170 Exhibitors 

www.petroleumshow.com 403-209-3555 3,300 Attendees 

Oil Sands Trade Show & Conference Oliver Thomas 9/14/15 Suncor Community Leisure Centre 70,000 nsf 

dmg world media Exhibit & Sponsorship Sales 9/15/15 Wood Buffalo, AB 400 Exhibitors 

www.petroleumshow.com 403-209-3555 4,000 Attendees 

Pacific Oil Conference Julia McCann 9/20/15 Grand Sierra Resort & Casino 30,000 nsf 

Pacific Oil Conference Executive Director 9/23/15 Reno, NV 300 Exhibitors 

www.petroshow.com 916-646-5980 1,500 Attendees 

RETECH (Renewable Energy Hunter Jones 9/21/15 Walter E. Washington Conv. Center NSF Not Supplied 

Technology Conference & Exhibition) Show Director 9/23/15 Washington, DC Exhibitors Not Supplied 

The Tradefair Group 713-343-1875 Attendees Not Supplied 

www.retech2011.com 


Who’s 

ing Who 

Make sure your show is listed in Trade Show Executive’s ZOOM Calendar 

so that exhibitors, attendees, potential strategic partners and others 

can find the data and contact info they need. 

Information on your event is posted online (www.thetradeshowcalendar.com/index.php?BNR=tse) 

and in print and reaches a global audience. 

Send info on future dates and sites for your FREE listing to 

Carri Jensen at cjensen@tradeshowexeutive.com 


PEOPLE 

Vicki Hawarden Named 

President, CEO of IAVM 


MELANIE DECOTEAU 

was named show 

manager of the 

Montreal Gift Show. 

which attracts 

more than 8,000 

retailers each year. 

She replaced Bianca 

Kennedy and will 

be responsible for all show operations 

and marketing. DeCoteau joined the 

Canadian Gift and Tableware Association 

after 12 years as an executive recruiter. 

Reach Melanie at (416) 642-1051 or 

mdecoteau@cgta.org 

ANDREW EVANS, a former Reed 

Exhibitions director and COO of Brand 

Events, joins Centaur Media in September 

as managing director of its London-based 

exhibitions group. Evans will oversee the 

Homebuilding and Renovating Show, Business 

Travel Show and Marketing Week Live. Evans 

was also managing director of Fresh 

RM, a joint venture between Reed and 

Montgomery Worldwide. 

Reach Andrew at 020 7970 4000 or 

andrew.evans@centaur.co.uk 

Coppell, TX – Vicki Hawarden has been 

named the new president and CEO of 

the International Association of Venue 

Managers (IAVM) effective August 15. 

She will replace Dexter King who, in 

late 2010, announced his decision to 

retire in 2011. 

Hawarden was most recently vice 

president of knowledge and events for 

Meeting Professionals International 

(MPI). Her background includes executive 

positions with the International 

Association of Exhibition Management, 

the American Association of Blood 

Banks, and the National Recreation and 

Park Association. Hawarden’s priorities 

with IAVM include international 

growth and the development of an 

educational program aimed particularly 

at young industry professionals. 

“It is critical that IAVM provide 

its members with the right education 

and tools to do their jobs effectively,” 

Hawarden said. “IAVM has a rich 

history of doing just that, and one 

of my priorities is to extend IAVM’s 

reach deeper into the venue management 

community.” 

Reach Vicki Hawarden at (972) 702-3000 

or vhawarden@mpiweb.org; Dexter King at 

(972) 906-7441 or dexter.king@iavm.org 

JENNIFER CARR was promoted to director 

of operations at ConvExx. Carr joined 

ConvExx nine years ago after working as 

meeting planner for SmithBucklin. Her 

new responsibilities include client relations 

and working with service contractors 

in addition to directing the organizing 

company’s staff on operational matters. 

Reach Jennifer at (702) 450-766, x237, or 

jcarr@convexx.com 

ROBERT BRICE left Cygnus 

Business Media 

when his position as 

senior vice president 

of the company’s 

trade show division 

was eliminated. Brice 

had held the position 

since last year and 

was earlier the head of the Fire and EMS 

Group at Cygnus. Patrick Nadle, executive 

vice president of the Aviation group, 

also left in the reorganization. 

Reach CEO John French at (800) 547-7377 

or john.french@cygnusb2b.com 

 

 

 

 

877-641-0900 

www.prodtrans.com 

Scan here to learn 

more about our 

company: 

We’ve Moved! Our new address is: 

21250 Hawthorne Boulevard, Suite 535 

Torrance, CA 90503 


PARTING SHOTS 

Sunny in DC. It was all smiles in Washington where the Exhibition & 

Convention Executives Forum drew a good crowd of industry leaders. In the 

audience were Susan Littleton, VP of Marketing for the Consumer Electronics 

Association, Mary Pat Heftman, National Restaurant Association EVP, 

Convention, and TSE’s Danica Tormohlen. 

That Takes the Cake. The staff of the Association of Woodworking and 

Furnishing Suppliers was surprised with a birthday cake from the Las Vegas 

Convention and Visitors Authority and Aramark to mark the 100th anniversary 

of AWFS. (L-R) ) LVCVA Vice President Chris Meyer, AWFS Board President 

Joan Kemp and EVP Angelo Gangone. 

A Legend for a Long Time. Bob Dallmeyer [center], CEO of RD International 

and Trade Show Executive Power Lunch columnist, was selected as the 

2011 “Legend of the Industry” for this year’s IAEE Krakoff Leadership Institute. 

The ceremony was held during the International Association of Exhibitions 

and Events (IAEE) Mid-Year Meeting at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, 

DC. Each year, IAEE selects a legend whose contributions, innovation and 

leadership have been truly unique and remarkable. A dinner on June 1 featured 

a Q&A with Dallmeyer by IAEE Chairman Vinnie Polito [right], managing 

director, VP International. Steve Hacker [left], IAEE president & CEO, gives 

Bob a hearty congratulations. 

Index to Advertisers 

a2z, Inc. 

www.a2zinc.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 7, 9, 11 

Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority 

www.atlanticcitynj.com. . . . . .p. 26 – 31, & 33 

Boston Convention Marketing Center 

www.advantageboston.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 3 

The Broadmoor 

www.broadmoor.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cover 4 

Champion Exposition Services 

www.championexpo.com . . . . . . . . . . . Cover 2 

Cox Convention Center (SMG) 

www.coxconventioncenter.com . . . . . . . .p. 43 

Exhibition Services & 

Contractors Association (ESCA) 

www.esca.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 25 

Frontier Airlines Center 

www.midwestairlinescenter.com . . . . . . .p. 37 

Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County 

Convention Center (SMG) 

www.ftlauderdalecc.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 41 

Hampton Roads Convention Center (SMG) 

www.thehrcc.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 46 

Hawaii Convention Center (SMG) 

www.hawaiiconvention.com . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 45 

Knoxville Convention Center (SMG) 

www.knoxville.org/kcc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 42 

Large Show Roundtable 

www.largeshowroundtable.com . . . . . . . .p. 48 

McCormick Place (SMG) 

www.mccormickplace.com. . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 47 

Miami Airport Convention Center 

www.macc.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cover 3 

Ontario Convention Center (SMG) 

www.ontariocc.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 44 

Pasadena Convention Center 

www.pasadenacenter.com . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 35 

Production Transport 

www.prodtrans.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 49 

SMG 

www.smgworld.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 40 – 47 


Gold 100 Awards & Summit 

www.tradeshowexecutive.com . . . . . p. 16, 17 

Ungerboeck Systems International 

www.ungerboeck.com . . . . . . . . . . . p. 18 – 24 

United Service Companies 

www.unitedhq.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 39 


Miami hub 

Connect at our 

At the new Miami Airport Convention Center (MACC), 

You’re right where you want to be—just minutes from the airport and in the heart of Miami’s international market place. 

As Miami’s second largest convention and exhibition center, the MACC offers you 172,000 square feet of newly 

modernized conference and trade show facilities with an array of attentive and professional support staff to help you soar. 

There’s also the added convenience of our on-site DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel with complimentary airport shuttle for ease 

and affordability. Together, the MACC and DoubleTree by Hilton Miami will take your next trade show “above and beyond.” 

Visit our website at www.MACC.com 

For more information, please contact our Sales Office at 

305-260-8905 or mark.calibo@macc.com 

711 N.W. 72nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33126 

MACC | Doubletree by Hilton Hotel | Merchandise Mart | Rioja Grille

IF YOU’VE BEEN HERE, YOU KNOW. ® 

A legendary venue for high-end board meetings and executive retreats, 

The Broadmoor can also host grand corporate events at Broadmoor Hall, 

featuring 60,000 square feet of pillarless space. Hold a meeting January 

through April of 2012 and receive a 4% rebate on room revenue.* 

*Offer applies to new business opportunities. 

BROADMOOR.COM 

866.534.2192 

ASK ABOUT BROADMOOR CONNECTION, OFFERING UP TO 1,700 ROOMS WITH OUR NEARBY PARTNER PROPERTIES.

the July 2011 Issue in PDF Format - Trade Show Executive

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?