TIM LESMEISTER - Trade Show Executive

News, Views and Tools for Trade Show and Event Executives March 2009 

TIM 

LESMEISTER 

WD-40’s VP of Marketing 

Uses the MLR Approach 

to Evaluate Trade Shows 

Fighting Back 

Industry Defends Events 

Amid Bailout Backlash 

Pardon Our Dust 

Progress Report on New 

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TM 

March 2009 

VOLUME 10 NUMBER 3 

Cover Story 

18 

Power Lunch with 

Tim Lesmeister 

Tim Lesmeister, Vice President of 

Marketing for WD-40, is charged 

with the task of managing the 

marketing strategies for seven of the 

company’s nine brands. How has 

buyer belt-tightening in the current 

economic climate affected his 

marketing approach? 

22 

Special Report 

Part V of TSE’s ten-part report on 

trade show attendance-building 

focuses on the International 

Licensing Expo from Advanstar 

Communications. Though the show 

is already part of a booming sector, 

what further steps have organizers 

taken to grow attendance? 

18 

Photo Credit: Sherry Tesler 

34 

Pardon Our Dust 

Get the latest facts and figures in 

our semi-annual report on proposed, 

expanding and new facilities in the 

U.S., Canada and Mexico. 

Trade Show Executive, The Gold Standard 

Winner of: 

22 34 

2005 

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Design & Illustration 

• Best Column 

• Best Feature Series Writing 


• Best Cover 

© 2008 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. 

4 March 2009 Trade Show Executive www.TradeShowExecutive.com

PLANNING YOUR NEXT EVENT? 

TAKE 

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SERVICE. 

Our aim is to make your event a success. That’s why we offer dedicated event management. 

Dedicated convention services management. On-site surveys. Transportation management. 

Hotel booking and room block management support. Free wireless Internet access. 

Way-finding support. And work-in-harmony labor support. Take advantage of us. 

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. 

www.TradeShowExecutive.com Trade Show Executive March 2009 5

Contents 

March 2009 

Member of: 

TM 

26 

Who’s Who in 

Convention Bureaus 

Trade Show Executive presents the 

key leaders of the nation’s CVBs in 

our annual directory of Who’s Who in 

Convention Bureaus. 

8 News 

• President’s Remark Brings Event 

travel to Forefront 

• Meeting Travel Guidelines 

gain Steam 

• BPA White Paper Says Audits 

Reassure Exhibitors During 

Recession 

• Events Likely to Take Hit in 

Changing Tech Marketing 

Priorities 

14 Trending & Spending 

Reversing Housing Slump Will be 

Key to Reviving U.S. Economy 

48 ZOOM 

Trade Show Executive’s Trade 

Show Locator features the 

most important shows 

scheduled in May 2009. 

57 Industry Events 

58 People in the News 

• Skip Farber 

• Jason Farber 

• Frank Thorwirth 

58 Index to Advertisers 

26 

48 

Change of Address and New Subscriptions: 

Edwin Blanco, 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. 

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. 

EDITORIAL & PUBLISHING HEADQUARTERS: 

Trade Show Executive magazine, 2121 Palomar Airport Rd., 

Suite 220, Carlsbad, CA 92011. 

Tel.: (760) 929-9666. Fax: (877) 483-8912. 

EDITORIAL & RESEARCH 

Vice president/Publisher & Editor: 

Darlene Gudea (760) 929-9666 

darlenegudea@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Editor-at-large: 

Carol Andrews (562) 505-7903 

carolandrews@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Senior Editor: 

Hil Anderson (760) 929-9615 

handerson@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Senior Editor, News & Directories: 

Renee Di Iulio (310) 939-0197 

reneediiulio@tradeshowexecutive.com 

News Editor: 

Sandi Cain (949) 497-2680 

sandicain@tradeshowexecutive.com 

senior Economist: 

Frank Chow (760) 929-9666 

frankchow@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Assistant Editor: 

Nicole Burnes (760) 929-9604 

nburnes@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Managing Editor, ZOOM, The Trade Show Locator: 

Vince Battaglia(702) 839-8181 

vince@thetradeshowcalendar.com 

Columnists: 

Bob Dallmeyer (323) 934-8300 

bdallmeyer@tradeshowexecutive.com 

SALES & MARKETING 

Vice President/associate Publisher: 

Irene Sperling (818) 990-1080 

irenesperling@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Advertising manager: 

Linda Braue (310) 792-6081 

lindabraue@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Advertising manager, Latin America: 

Rafael Hernández +52 (55) 2455-3545 Ext. 117 

rafa.hernandezg@nuestromundogm.com 

Director of events: 

Diane Bjorklund (630) 312-8915 

dbjorklund@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Art Director & Production Manager: 

Tony MacAllister (760) 929-9564 

tmacallister@tradeshowexecutive.com 

technology & design manager: 

Ricky Bello (312) 617-8675 

rbello@tradeshowexecutive.com 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: 

Rick Simon, Chairman of the Board 

Mark Feldman, President 

Joan Feldman, Vice President 

Darlene Gudea, Vice President 


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BOSTON. MAKING CONVENTION HISTORY. 

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


News 

President Obama’s Remark About Las Vegas Brings Event 

Travel to Forefront 

By Hil Anderson, senior editor 

Washington, DC – The issue of curbing 

travel to meetings and trade shows was 

in the media spotlight after President 

Obama implied that trips for executives of 

financial companies receiving emergency 

taxpayer assistance were an unnecessary 

excess. 

The February 9 remark that CEOs 

who accepted bailout funds “can’t go 

take a trip to Las Vegas or go down to 

the Super Bowl on the taxpayer’s dime” 

could not have come at a worse time for 

Las Vegas and the meetings industry in 

general. With corporate belt-tightening 

rampant, anything else that might spook 

companies into cancelling a trip because 

of the potential public opinion fallout was 

unwelcome news. 

The flare up came as major travel 

companies and the meetings and 

exhibitions industry were taking the 

offensive to prevent the public perception 

that all business gatherings are leisure 

junkets rather than the critical economic 

activities that they are. 

Mayor Oscar Goodman sent a letter 

the next day to the White House asking for 

an apology and pointing out that “events 

in Las Vegas attract more delegates, 

attract corporate decision-makers, and 

keep convention delegates focused on 

getting business done compared to other 

destinations.” 

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nevada, said 

on the Senate floor that Obama’s chief 

of staff, Rahm Emanuel, told him that 

the president’s criticism was aimed at 

unnecessary travel and not a swipe at Las 

Vegas. “Mr. Emanuel made it clear to me 

that President Obama’s criticism was aimed 

at the potential use of taxpayer funds,” 

Reid said. “We gave these banks a lot of 

money and they shouldn’t be taking junkets 

with any of the money, whether they are 

going to Las Vegas or Los Angeles, New 

York or Salt Lake City.” 

At the same time, Wells Fargo ran 

a full-page ad in The New York Times on 

Sunday, February 9, defending incentive 

travel for its employees. The ad, in the 

form of a letter signed by John Stumpf, 

president and CEO, accused the media of 

being “deliberately misleading” and said 

the misperceptions had forced it to cancel 

its annual recognition events for its hardworking 

employees. 

“Who loses besides our team 

members? The workers who depend on 

our business,” wrote Stumpf, who added 

that recognition events are not paid for by 

government aid. 

Industry Tackles Image Issue 

Associations representing the meetings 

industry have also been ramping up their 

efforts to publicize the benefits of events. 

The MeetDifferent conference held 

by Meeting Professionals International 

(MPI) in mid-February focused on the 

so-called AIG effect, which is blamed for 

the cancellation of a number of corporate 

events. Sessions included a workshop on 

restrictions placed on companies receiving 

Federal assistance. Christine Duffy, 

president and CEO of Maritz Travel and 

a former chairwoman of MPI, told the 

audience that President Obama’s $150 

million inauguration was hardly an exercise 

in restraint. 

The Convention Industry Council on 

February 17 became the latest association 

to endorse a set of guidelines for 

meetings planned by companies receiving 

government help. The guidelines, which 

cover issues such as cost and attendee 

profiles, were developed by a large 

coalition of industry associations with the 

U.S. Travel Association in the lead. Other 

member groups included the International 

Association of Exhibitions and Events, 

the Professional Convention Management 

Association and the Financial and 

Insurance Conference Planners. 

Reach Rossi Ralenkotter, president and 

CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and 

Visitors Authority, at (702) 892-2800 or 

rralenkotter@lvcva.com; Bruce MacMillan, 

MPI president and CEO, at (972) 702- 

3001 or bmacmillan@mpiweb.org; CIC 

Executive Director Eric Allen at (571) 527- 

3116 or eallen@kellencompany.com 

Meeting Travel Guidelines Gain Steam 


Washington, DC – The Convention 

Industry Council (CIC) formally endorsed 

guidelines on meetings and incentive travel 

for companies receiving Federal financial 

assistance. 

The guidelines are for executives who 

find themselves under fire for traveling to 

business meetings, conferences and other 

events that for years were considered 

prudent and routine but are now being 

labeled by the press, public and politicians 

as unnecessary and overly extravagant 

junkets. 

“We support the recently-developed 

Guidelines for Meetings, Events and Incentive 

Travel for entities receiving government 

assistance and urge America’s elected 

leaders to ensure that their actions do not 

impede the legitimate critical meetings 

and events necessary to support U.S. 

corporations’ and associations’ business 

missions,” the CIC said in a statement. 

The criticism of executive travel 

expenses and salary packages has 

been focused on companies receiving 

emergency financial assistance from 

Washington. There is also concern that 

public perceptions will put a damper 

on travel by other companies at a time 

when the economic downturn is already 

forcing them to cancel their own business 

meetings and cut back on travel to trade 

shows and conferences. 

The guidelines project was spearheaded 

by the U.S. Travel Association in 

partnership with a coalition of industry 

organizations including the International 

Association of Exhibitions and Events 

(IAEE) and the Professional Convention 

Management Association (PCMA). 

The CIC’s 34 member associations 

represent more than 103,500 individuals 

and 19,500 organizations involved in the 

meetings, conventions and exhibitions 

industry including IAEE; PCMA; the 

Center for Exhibition Industry Research 

(CEIR); the Exhibition Services and 

Contractors Association (ESCA); the 

International Association of Assembly 

Managers (IAAM); and the American 


Society of Association Executives 

(ASAE) and The Center for Association 

Leadership. 

The CIC said it endorsed the guidelines 

on February 17 because conventions, 

trade shows and other business events are 

critical to the performance of individual 

companies and the entire U.S. economy. 

Exhibitions Generate Sales 

“Exhibitions provide a wealth of 

industry information and contacts under 

one roof and support the sales efforts 

critical to driving revenue to companies 

already hurting in the current economy,” 

the statement said. “Limiting these events 

Event Travel Guidelines 

The exhibition and travel industries developed a list of 

guidelines for travel to meetings and events for companies 

receiving assistance from the Troubled Asset Relief Program 

(TARP). The guidelines are a response to criticism from 

elected lawmakers in Washington to the travel practices of 

TARP recipients. 

Model Board Policy for Approval of Meetings, Events 

and Incentive/Recognition Travel 

• General policy statement: The CEO shall be responsible 

for implementing adequate controls to assure that meetings, 

events and incentive/recognition travel organized by the 

company serve legitimate business purposes and are costjustified. 

• All proposed meetings, events and incentive/recognition 

travel organized by the company must serve one or more 

specified legitimate business purposes. Each proposed 

meeting, event or incentive/recognition travel with a cost 

exceeding $75,000 must be supported by a written business 

case identifying a specific business purpose. 

• Total annual expenses for meetings, events and incentive/ 

recognition travel shall not exceed 15% of the company’s 

total sales and marketing spend. 

• The amount spent for an employee performance incentive/ 

recognition event shall not exceed 2% of the total 

compensation of eligible participants or 10% of total award 

earners’ compensation. 

• The process for approving meetings, events and incentive/ 

recognition travel, and the procedures for assuring 

adherence to this policy, will be subject to independent audit 

to confirm policy adherence. 

• At least 90% of incentive program attendees shall be other 

than senior executives from the host organization. 

• Performance incentives shall not promote excessive or 

unnecessary risk-taking or manipulation of financial results. 

• All internal meetings or events attended only by senior 

executives and/or board members shall be devoted 

would curtail the hundreds of millions 

of dollars worth of business transacted. 

These events are supported by thousands 

of U.S. corporations that value the 

opportunity to do business, engage in 

education and create new relationships for 

their success.” 

The Educational Aspect 

The CIC also pointed out that 

conferences and meetings offer training 

and professional education, such as 

Continuing Education Units and 

Continuing Medical Education credits 

that are required for various licenses. 

“This education is critical to keeping 

America’s workforce at the top of its game 

in a competitive global marketplace,” the 

statement said. 

The Economics of the Event Business 

An equally important impact of 

business travel, the CIC said, is the 

economic benefit that comes in the form 

of jobs, tax revenues and direct spending 

in host cities. “Cutting back on travel 

kills jobs at a time when job preservation 

and creation is critical,” the statement 

said. 

Reach Karen Kotowski, chief 

operating officer, at (571) 527-3116 or 

kkotowski@conventionindustry.org 

to specific business purposes, and participating senior 

executives shall be responsible for any expenses incurred for 

non-business related activities. 

• The CEO of the company shall certify to the board that 

the policies are being followed and are sufficient to provide 

reasonable assurance that the company’s expenditure for 

such purposes are not excessive. 

• These policies shall be subject to modification only with 

board approval stating the specific business rationale for the 

change in policy. 

Examples of Legitimate Business Purposes for Meetings, 

Events, Incentive/Recognition Travel 

• Trade shows and similar events that bring prospective 

buyers and sellers together. 

• Effective product launches to educate sales force, channel 

partners and customers. 

• Sales conferences and employee meetings to align vision, 

strategy and tactics. 

• Training and staff development meetings. 

• Employee recognition programs to motivate and reward 

employees for achievement and productivity. 

• Professional conferences that provide networking, 

education and best-practice sharing. 

• Performance incentives with clear rule structures that 

are designed to motivate and reward high performers 

for exceeding established goals that generate incremental 

revenue growth for their respective organizations and that 

are beyond the investment in the program. 

• User conferences for customers and product development 

events for research and development purposes. 

• Corporate-sponsored events that further charitable purposes. 

• Strategic, business and financial planning and review 

meetings. 

• Employee meetings as a result of company mergers or 

acquisitions for the purpose of alignment of products, 

brands and cultures. 

Continued on page 11 


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T:2.125 in 

Continued from page 9 

White Paper Says Audits Reassure 

Exhibitors in Recession 


Shelton, CT – A new survey indicates that 

the quality of the attendees rather than 

their sheer numbers is the primary factor 

in an exhibitor’s decision to take part in a 

particular trade show. 

The survey led to a white paper 

released this month by BPA Worldwide 

that supported the idea that an attendance 

audit is a valuable tool for show 

organizers to prove that their events offer 

a solid ROI even if the overall crowd 

count of the show is down. 

“With today’s economic climate, we 

are already seeing a drop in trade show 

attendance,” said Glenn Hansen, president 

and CEO of BPA Worldwide. “Data from 

an independent event audit, however, 

means organizers can drill down into their 

event’s attendance figures and identify 

exhibitors’ target markets.” 

The white paper, available on the BPA 

Worldwide website, was compiled from a 

survey of approximately 6,600 exhibitor 

contacts at companies of various sizes 

conducted late last Fall. The results 

showed companies making plans to scale 

back exhibiting in 2009 and that 40% had 

seen traffic at their exhibits falling off 

during 2008. 

Exhibitors Accept Lower Attendance if 

Quality Remains High 

But the size of the crowds was less 

of a concern than the quality of the 

attendees who did show up. The survey 

found that 46% of exhibitors rated 

attendee quality as the No. 1 reason to 

attend a show, an opinion held by 61% 

of chief marketing officers and 55% of 

vice presidents in charge of advertising or 

marketing. 

Small companies were more apt to 

base their exhibiting decisions on attendee 

quality than large companies, although 

28% of large companies significantly 

valued attendance audits compared to 

22% of mid-sized companies and 8% of 

small companies. 

As the global economy continues 

down an uncertain road, BPA pointed 

out that marketers are being held 

accountable for every spending decision 

in every media platform. “Event audits 

are the obvious answer for organizers 

who can use the data to set their show 

apart from their competitors,” the paper 

said, “and for exhibitors who can use 

attendance demographics to choose the 

right event, staff their booth appropriately 

and provide accountability to senior 

management.” 

Show Selection is a Group Effort 

A number of exhibit/event managers 

and event coordinators (28%) indicate 

show selection is a group decision 

involving sales, marketing, product 

development, senior management and 

other titles. When making exhibiting 

decisions, the highest ranked tools for 

supporting those decisions, according to 

BPA, were: 

• Historical performance/exit surveys 

(63%), 

• Exhibitor-supplied promotional 

materials (59%), 

• Input/references from other exhibitors 

(58%), and 

• Trade show/event audits (41%). 

Down Time is the Right Time 

Organizers who may be concerned 

that launching an audit program would 

result in a jarring drop from their 

unaudited attendance figures might 

actually find the recession to be an 

opportune time since the downturn has 

already created volatility and uncertainty 

in attendance. 

“An economic downturn coupled 

with an event audit can be a perfect 

combination for starting anew,” Hansen 

said. “Marketers are expecting attendance 

to be down. An audit proves you are being 

proactive in the eyes of your exhibitors.” 

The event audit’s demographic 

breakdown allows organizers to prove 

that their show continues to deliver the 

same key buyers as in better times, even 


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T:10 in

News 


if overall attendance figures are lower 

than they would like, said Glenn Schutz, 

BPA’s manager of communications. 

“If organizers are still concerned about 

reporting the figures of their first 

event audit, they may keep the results 

confidential for the first year,” Schutz 

told Trade Show Executive. This rule meets 

EEIAC requirements, he said. “Keeping 

the results private allows organizers to 

dissect their event and address attendance 

issues based on accurate, third-party data. 

And when times are better, the audit will 

help take their event to the next level.” 

Reach Glenn Hansen at (203) 447- 

2800 or ghansen@bpaww.com; Glenn 

Schutz at (203) 447-2800 or gschutz@ 

bpaww.com 

Events Likely to Take 

Hit in Changing Tech 

Marketing Priorities 


Carlsbad, CA – Spending on trade shows 

and events will take a hit this year as 

exhibitor companies reorganize their 

marketing priorities to weather the 

global recession, a panel of marketing 

professionals in the technology sector 

agreed during a recent webcast. 

The online discussion presented 

February 12 by BtoB Magazine concluded 

that the travel expenses for both exhibitors 

and attendees were among the low-hanging 

fruit to be lopped off by the budget ax 

as companies focus on cutting costs and 

directly cultivating their customer base. 

“There will indeed be a pullback on 

events,” said panelist Mark Gambill, vice 

president and chief marketing officer of 

CDW Corporation (CDW), commenting 

on the overall economic climate. “Event 

spending will absolutely decrease although 

Mark Gambill 

Richard Vancil 

[marketers] will probably never lose [their] 

desire to be able to look someone in the eye 

and have a conversation with them at a live 

event.” 

CDW is a seller of technology 

products to government agencies and large 

companies. Gambill said his company 

was not cutting back on its presence at 

trade shows in 2009. “We understand their 

impact,” he said, but added that CDW’s 

strategy was “probably an anomaly” in 

terms of the entire IT sector. 

BtoB Magazine announced that its 

annual survey of marketers on their 

global marketing spending plans for the 

coming year found that while 31% of the 

respondents planned to increase spending 

on events, another 31% said they would be 

cutting back and 38% planned no changes 

in spending. 

Richard Vancil, vice president of the 

Executive Advisory Group, IDC, said live 

events accounted for about 22% of the 

marketing mix for technology companies. 

“The activities that are the furthest from 

revenue generation are the ones that are 

taking the biggest cuts,” he said. 

Marketing to Focus on Customer Base 

The anticipated flatness of event 

spending by companies is reflective of 

a recessionary trend toward hanging on 

to what they have and expanding their 

customer base. The BtoB Magazine survey 

found that while 12% of marketers said 

their goal for 2009 would be increasing 

brand awareness, 62% said acquiring new 

customers was their top priority and another 

20% said it was customer retention. 

Trade shows play a role in all three 

priorities. Events, however, will be in 

competition with increased spending on 

digital advertising, including e-mail ad 

campaigns and social media. 

Gambill said the best thing for any 

company to do during the recession would 

be to pound away at their customers about 

the value and cost-effectiveness of their 

product and how it can help them to be 

more efficient and cut their own costs. 

“Cost reduction is foremost on everyone’s 

minds right now,” he said. 

Reach Richard Vancil at 

(508) 935-4372 or rvancil@idc.com; 

Mark Gambill at (847) 465-6000 or 

markgambill@cdw.com 

New Marketing 

Marching Orders 


Carlsbad, CA – Show organizers 

and suppliers may have to make 

some changes to their marketing 

strategies as the recession brings 

about belt tightening both within 

the company and among their 

customers. 

Marketing professionals who 

briefed their colleagues in a February 

12 BtoB Magazine webinar had some 

suggestions on aligning strategy to 

the times: 

• Prioritize customers. 

Decide which areas are the most 

promising in terms of sales, but 

also identify the key customers 

you cannot afford to lose. 

• Tighten the focus of 

marketing as precisely as 

possible on the customers’ 

needs and pain points. Avoid 

flailing around with too many 

new marketing ideas that only 

pile on unproductive work. 

• Be proactive with your 

customers and emphasize the 

cost savings you can provide 

them. Good service and acting 

professional may not be enough 

to save an account. 

• Keep your team intact. 

Layoffs can spook remaining 

employees who will bolt for a 

new job at the first opportunity 

and further decimate your staff 

at a busy time. Challenge your 

own staff to bring down their 

expenses. Try shifting some 

outside work back to in-house 

talent. 

• Experiment with social 

media and online offerings. 

It is less costly than other 

promotional media and can be 

deployed and adjusted easily. 

Blogs and white papers from 

company leadership add a ring 

of authority to the message. 


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Reversing Housing 

Slump Will Be Key to 

Reviving U.S. Economy 

Darlene Gudea, 

VP/publisher & editor 

Trade Show Executive’s 

Trending & Spending Forecast 

Fig. I: TSE Forecast of 

Net Square Feet of Exhibit Space 

13.2% 

2nd Quarter 

Fig. II: TSE Forecast of Number 

of Exhibiting Organizations 

9.5% 

2nd Quarter 

12.1% 

2009 

8.6% 

2009 

Fig. IlI: TSE Forecast of 

Professional Attendance 

18.0% 

2nd Quarter 

15.0% April 

10.5% April 

22.5% April 

12.5% 

2009 

Fig. lV: TSE Annual Forecast 

of Revenue 

18% 

Frank Chow, 

chief economist 

Year Ending December 2009 

By Darlene Gudea, 

VP/publisher & editor 

“While everyone seems to be looking 

to the $787 billion economic stimulus 

plan or the multitude of bailout deals 

to stem the recession, I believe the 

administration’s plan to stem home 

foreclosures holds the most promise 

toward halting further deterioration 

of the U.S. economy this year,” said 

Frank Chow, chief economist for Trade 

Show Executive. “Notice that I didn’t say 

recovery, which most economists now 

predict may be another year or two away. 

Because the roots of the current global 

crisis emanated from the subprime home 

lending debacle, the key to stabilizing the 

economy starts with reviving the housing 

industry,” he pointed out. 

To appreciate the magnitude of 

the problem, let’s get an update on the 

current housing situation. In a nutshell, 

housing is still not a pretty picture as 

construction of new homes, applications 

for future projects, home prices, and 

sales of existing homes are plunging 

to record lows, while foreclosures keep 

skyrocketing: 

• New home construction dropped 

16.8% in January after falling 33% for 

all of 2008 on top of the 25% decline 

in 2007. According to the Commerce 

Department, this was the slowest pace 

on record dating back a half-century. 

• Applications for building permits, a 

good barometer of future activity, 

dropped to a record low, falling 4.8% 

to a rate of 521,000 units in January. 

In 2008 it was down 36.2%. 

• The Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller 

U.S. National Home Price Index plunged 

18.2 % in the Fourth Quarter of 2008 

from the prior-year period, the largest 

drop in its 21-year history. The index 

has fallen every month since January 

2007. 

• Existing home sales fell 5.3 % in 

January, reported the National 

Association of Realtors, to a 

seasonally adjusted annual rate of 

4.49 million -- the lowest rate in 12 

years. Economists had been looking 

for an increase of 1% to 2% from 

December. 

• 2.7 million American homeowners 

faced foreclosure proceedings last 

year, and that number could soar as 

high as ten million in the coming 

years, according to a recent report by 

Credit Suisse. 

More economists are pushing recovery 

estimates further back into 2010 and even 

to 2011. “Conditions in the market for 

new homes have not been this bad since 

the 1930s and they continue to worsen,” 

said Patrick Newport, an economist at 

IHS Global Insight in Lexington, MA, 

who predicted that housing starts would 

remain depressed for months to come. 

So, as the recession matures in 2009, more 

people will lose their jobs and fall behind 

on their mortgage payments, resulting in 

more foreclosures. 

Even Americans are feeling grim 

about the prospects of a turnaround, 

Chow said. The Conference Board’s 

Consumer Confidence Index sank in 

February to the lowest level ever since 

its inception in 1967 as widespread 

layoffs, shrinking retirement accounts 

and plunging home prices fueled fears. 

“As long as home prices are falling, the 

financial system and the economy will 

continue to unravel,” said Mark Zandi, 

chief economist at Moody’s Economy. 

com. 

This is where President Obama’s new 

$275 billion mortgage relief program 

steps in. Generally, $75 billion will be 

spent by the government to modify 

monthly payments for at-risk borrowers 

by subsidizing interest rates. The goal 

would be to bring down payments to no 

more than 31% of a borrower’s income. 

While voluntary, the program would give 

mortgage lenders or investors $1,000 for 

each modification and another $1,000 a 


Sponsored by 


year for three years if the borrower stays 

current. 

Another aspect of the plan helps 

borrowers who can’t refinance to a lower 

rate because the value of their home has 

slipped below the mortgage they owe. 

These slightly “underwater” borrowers 

must have a loan held by Fannie Mae or 

Freddie Mac and don’t owe more than 

105% of their home’s current value. The 

plan also calls for the U.S. Treasury to 

strengthen Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac 

by injecting another $100 billion into 

each mortgage company. This program, 

named the Homeowner Affordability 

and Stability Plan, starts March 4 and is 

estimated to help nine million people. 

However, there have been some 

criticisms of the plan, Chow pointed 

out. The more prices fall, the fewer 

homeowners will qualify for the plan 

since it is restricted to the 105% value 

limit. According to Moody’s Economy. 

com, almost 14 million homeowners 

are already underwater, meaning they 

owe more than their homes are worth. 

Also, many homeowners who pay their 

mortgages on time have railed against the 

government using taxpayer money to bail 

out borrowers they see as irresponsible. 

Others do not want to pay higher taxes 

to cover the bad debts of others. Finally, 

some analysts say this will not be enough 

to stop the bleeding. 

Will this plan work? “No one 

really knows,” said Chow. From a strict 

economic perspective, bailing out 

borrowers who put almost no down 

payment and obviously cannot afford 

the mortgage to begin with is like trying 

to use the relief plan to force a square 

peg into a round hole. “No matter how 

much you try to modify, it’s not a good 

fit; the borrower will most likely walk 

away from the home eventually, just a few 

years later,” he pointed out. Also, it will 

only prolong the “underwater” problem 

by encouraging more homeowners to 

default, he believes. 

“A more effective plan I think would 

be to provide incentives to lenders and 

prospective credit-worthy buyers to 

complete the sale of foreclosed homes,” 

said Chow. This will soon eliminate the 

bad inventory and allow home prices and 

the housing industry to recover. If the 

government wants to help the delinquent 

borrower, then give a rental subsidy for 

five to ten years instead of subsidizing 

a mortgage for 30 years. Lenders can 

still choose to do modifications on 

an individual basis. “This plan is less 

intrusive, would be perceived as more 

fair, and lets market forces work more 

quickly,” he said. 

Despite the dreary news, some 

economists are predicting a bottom for 

the housing market by the end of this 

year. They contend that the drop in home 

values will soon entice more sales and the 

reduction in new projects will stabilize 

prices for those left on the market. David 

Crowe, chief economist for the National 

Association of Home Builders, said the 

administration’s foreclosure program 

plus help for first-time home buyers 

included in the stimulus measure would 

have an impact, but the new programs 

will take time to become operational. “I 

do think we will see a bottom in 2009 

and by the end of this year we will start 

to see the beginning of a recovery. But 

it will be a slow recovery because of the 

significant overhang of empty houses for 

sale,” Crowe said. Moody’s economy.com 

believes housing will hit bottom in 2009. 

Kiplinger magazine is calling for a secondhalf 

bottom, but also a good amount of 

pain before getting there. 

Let us all hope they are correct on the 

ending of the housing crisis soon, said 

Chow. 

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. TSE 



Trending & Spending Forecast 

Fig. V: Sector Performance 

Best Performing Sectors 

• Hospitality • Transportation 

• Medical 

Mixed Performance 

• Business Services • Government 

• Communications • Sporting Goods 

• Entertainment • Technology 

Sectors under pressure 

• Apparel 

• Food 

• Automotive • Manufacturing 

• Construction • Retail 

Fig. VI: Economic Indicators 

Consumer Confidence fell dramatically in February to 25 

(1985 = 100), an all-time low. Concern over earnings and 

worsening business conditions further sapped confidence. 

Corporate Profits were weak, taking a toll on the stock 

market. 

GDP, the economy’s broadest measure of growth, fell at an 

annual rate of 3.8% in the Fourth Quarter of 2008, the biggest 

quarterly slowdown in 26 years. 

Housing Starts fell 16.8% in January below revised 

December 2008 estimates. 

Industrial Production fell 1.8% in January and 10% below 

its year-earlier level. 

Inflation increased 0.3% in January after declining in each 

of the three previous months, according to the Consumer Price 

Index. The energy component climbed 1.7% in January, the 

first increase in six months, but still 31.4% below its peak in 

July 2008. 

Interest Rates [the Federal Funds Rate, which is the interest 

rate at which banks and other depository institutions lend 

money to each other] remained at 0.25 compared to 3.0 a 

year ago. 

Job Losses of 598,000 in January impacted nearly all major 

industry sectors. Payroll employment has declined by 3.6 

million since the recession began in December 2007; about 

one-half of this decline occurred in the past three months. 

Manufacturing failed to grow in February for the 13th 

consecutive month. None of the 18 manufacturing industries 

reported growth. 

Retail Sales jumped 1% in January, reversing a six-month 

declining trend and defying economists’ expectations by 

posting the biggest increase in 14 months. 

Unemployment increased from 7.2% to 7.6% Unemployment 

has risen by 2.7 percentage points since the start of the 

recession in December 2007. 

Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics; 

The Conference Board; The Institute for Supply Management 

(ISM); U.S. Commerce Department 


Trade Show Executive’s Exposition Forecasting Board 

Sponsored by 



Darlene Gudea, 

Publisher & Editor, 


Frank Chow, 

Chief Economist, 


Nancy Walsh, 

Executive Vice President, 

Reed Exhibitions 

Tom Caridi, 

CFO, 

Questex Media Group 

Margaret 

Pederson, 

President, Amerix 

& 2009 IAEE Chair 

“Reading the latest economic data, or even 

the morning news, takes courage these days. The 

economic outlook remains gloomy as global 

metrics continue to fall; virtually every industry has 

been impacted. Exacerbating that decline is that 

exhibitions lag the economy so some organizers are 

facing falling results following record performance 

in 2008. A turnaround is going to take longer, with 

2010 more likely than the second half of 2009; that 

could translate to 2011 for some trade events. 

“It is not just that each day brings new dire 

statistics; now exhibition, conference and event 

organizers also need to deal with the potential 

impact of legislation on companies that have 

received TARP funding. It is widely assumed that 

a few formerly high-flying Wall Street firms and 

struggling auto manufacturers are the beneficiaries 

of these funds. In fact, there are 450 companies 

that have received TARP funding and the impact 

is far more extensive given that it also applies 

to the parent or all subsidiary companies: GE’s 

acceptance of TARP funding would impact NBC’s 

participation in exhibitions if some proposed 

legislation is accepted. 

“We must remember to keep a balanced 

oulook as all is not doom and gloom. Face-toface 

meetings drive sales, which is key to reviving 

the economy. Medical Design & Manufacturing West, 

MRket, Moda Las Vegas and Accessories, and Fabtech 

all had increased attendance. Even events with 

lower attendance provided remarkable results: 

International CES still attracted 110,000. Our 

priority needs to be helping participants maximize 

that value. We also need to quantify the value of 

face-to-face meetings to government officials to 

prevent inappropriate legislative restrictions on 

companies receiving TARP funding. 

“These challenging times are trying. Discipline, 

commitment and innovation are key to surviving 2009 

so that we can start rebuilding in 2010 and beyond.” 

Margaret Pederson 

pederson@optonline.com 

Colette O’Donnell 

Group Controller, 

Advanstar, Inc. 

Dan Greene, 

COO of 

Matrex Exhibits 

Harris Schanhaut, CME 

Senior Tradeshow Manager, C2 creative 

Board of Directors, TSEA 

Board of Advisors, BPA WorldWide 

Aaron Bludworth, 

Chief Operating Officer, 

George Fern Company 


Sponsored by 


Trade Show Executive’s Exposition Forecasting Board 

Terence Donnelly, 

VP, Trade Show Markets, 

Experient 

Tom Mobley 

Senior Vice President, 

Convention Centers, 

Global Spectrum 

Steve Moore, 

President & CEO, 

Greater Phoenix Convention 

& Visitors Bureau 

Skip Cox, 


Exhibit Surveys 

Steven Hacker, 


International Association of 

Exhibitions & Events (IAEE) 

Tim McGill, 

CEO, 

Hargrove Inc. 

Gregg Caren, 

Senior Vice President 

of Strategic Business 

Development, SMG 

Doug Ducate, 


Center for Exhibition 

Industry Research (CEIR) 

Jack Chalden, 

VP, Business Development 

& Industry Relations, 

BDMetrics, Inc. 

James Rooney, 

Executive Director, 

Massachusetts Convention 

Center Authority 

Clark Williams, 

President, 

CompuSystems 

Chris Meyer, 

Vice President, Convention 

Sales, Las Vegas Convention 

and Visitors Authority 

Subscribe online to Trade Show Executive Magazine! 

Have you completed the qualification form 

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past year? If not, here’s a quick and easy 

way to make sure you will continue to receive 

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or current subscribers can go to www. 

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Note: Trade Show Executive magazine is 

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Service providers can order a paid 

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Subscribe to the industry’s leading 

magazine for news, views and tools 

and open your mind to fresh 

ideas for growth. 


Power Lunch 

TIM LESMEISTER 

WD-40’s VP of Marketing 

Uses the MLR Approach 

to Evaluate Trade Shows 

Tim Lesmeister is vice president of 

marketing for the WD-40 Company, 

which is based in San Diego but has a 

160-country global footprint. Last year’s 

sales were $317.1 million with a net 

income of $27.6 million. Tim manages 

marketing strategies for seven of the 

nine company brands within the U.S. 

including WD-40, 3-in-One, Lava, 

X-14, Carpet Fresh and ShotSpot – all 

with the tag line, “We Live Under the 

Sink, In the Garage, and In the Toolboxes 

of the World!” He reports to WD-40’s 

president of the Americas. 

Tim is active in local community 

activities, serves on the Encinitas Union 

School District’s Site Council, and enjoys 

long distance running and playing the 

market. 

Photo Credit: Sherry Tesler 


Bob: Someone once said that the three 

most important inventions of the 20th 

century were duct tape, Velcro and WD- 

40. Have you heard that? 

Tim: I hadn’t heard Velcro in the list, 

but in his last movie, Gran Torino, Clint 

Eastwood tells a young guy the three 

things you need to maintain a household 

are duct tape, WD-40 and a wrench. 

Bob: Which begs the question: What 

does WD-40 mean? 

Tim: In the 1950s, the Rocket Chemical 

Company attempted to create a line of 

rust-prevention solvents and degreasers 

for use in the aerospace industry. It took 

40 attempts for the small company to 

get the correct water displacing formula, 

so WD-40 means “Water Displacement 

perfected on the 40th attempt.” In case 

you’re interested, WD-40 is now in over 

80% of American households and we’ve 

listed over 2,000 uses submitted from our 

fan base on our website. 

Bob: That makes sense. What’s your 

overall approach to exhibiting at WD-40? 

Tim: We have two goals: to always 

promote our brands and to educate 

consumers through sampling. It’s a 

great way to get end-users involved with 

our products, which usually leads to 

distribution and sales. 

Show Strategy. Tim Lesmeister (L) and Graham Milner, executive vice president of Global Innovation, 

discuss WD-40’s strategic platforms, which include 12 to 20 trade shows per year. 

Bob: Do you measure ROI and/or ROO? 

Tim: We do this when we can. In shows 

where we sell, we can easily tie sales from 

the show to the time-talent investment we 

make. In shows where we only generate 

leads, it becomes a bit more complicated 

and tedious. Many times we are just 

interested in branding or deciding whether 

to participate more heavily the following 

year. We also scope out what others are 

doing, make contacts and look for possible 

partnerships and/or acquisitions. 

Bob: Are you driven by ROI? 

Tim: As head of marketing, I always need 

to determine the return on our marketing 

expenditures. In addition to ROI, I use 

the term MLR: Measure, Learn, React. 

For everything we do – trade shows, 

sampling, advertising, etc. – we do an 

MLR. We measure what we did, what 

we learned from it and then we react 

accordingly. 

Bob: How do you identify and evaluate 

new trade shows? 

Tim: We have a core of 12 to 20 annual 

trade shows, and we look to our director 

of new business development to take us 

where no one else has gone. His job is 

to identify new channels, new customers, 

and often, new trade shows. A good 

example of this is the pet channel and 

pet shows: due to our entry into this 

marketplace through events, we are 

gaining significant distribution in the pet 

industry where we had nothing before. 

Bob: With seven product lines, you must 

have a lot of competition. 

Tim: There are hundreds of players out 

there. 

Bob: What are your criteria for selecting a 

show? 

Tim: We consider the target audience, 

of course, and the number projected 

to attend. Then we look at the cost to 

participate, which covers everything: 

travel, staff members’ time, the exhibit 

and anything else involved. We determine 

if it is a selling or lead-generating trade 

show or an event which we are simply 

evaluating for future participation. 

Bob: What about your trade show budget 

in this economy? 

Tim: Trade shows are one part of our 

annual marketing budget, and we’re 

spending more marketing dollars than a 

year ago. We will exhibit in 11 big shows 

in 2009 such as SEMA – The Specialty 

Equipment Market Association Show, which 




Out of the Garage… and into the exhibit booth. WD-40’s marketing has 

helped make its spray lubricant a mandatory tool in most households. 

Car Connection. Since WD-40 is a basic necessity for both professional 

and amateur auto mechanics, a tie-in with NASCAR racing works well on 

the show floor. 

is a slight reduction from 2008. However, 

our participation in corporate-sponsored 

events such as the ACE Hardware 

Convention & Expo and True Value is now 

between 50 and 75 a year. We consider 

these “a way to do business.” 

Bob: What about your current marketing 

mix? 

Tim: In terms of trade shows specifically, 

the trend line has been up and down – 

this year it’s up. Our overall mix changes 

from year to year. I’m a big fan of testing 

new marketing techniques to reach our 

targets in the most effective and efficient 

way possible. And as technology changes 

and our brands change, our corporate 

priorities change. These all affect our 

approach to meeting our annual financial 

commitments. 

Bob: Can you give me examples of new 

techniques you’ve tried recently? 

Tim: As I mentioned earlier, I’m a big fan 

of testing new ideas. Recently we tried 

word-of-mouth viral marketing, direct 

response, digital media and we’re starting 

to do a lot more with our website and 

blogging. We participate with many of 

our customers in their radio, print and TV 

ads. We also recently tied in with movies, 

most recently the hit Marley and Me, and 

it was a huge success. We constantly try 

new things. If they do well, we expand 

them, and if not, we learn from the 

experience and move on. MLR! 

Bob: How large is your staff and who do 

you report to? 

Tim: There are 14 of us in the marketing 

department. We take turns attending 

trade shows along with our sales staff of 

about 35 who all report to one of our 

sales vice presidents. I report to WD-40’s 

president of the Americas. 

Bob: What does a typical WD-40 exhibit 

look like? 

Tim: We have a few standard layouts that 

showcase all of our products. We use 

Exhibitgroup/Giltspur to design and 

build our custom exhibits and Skyline for 

pop-ups. We finalize our shows as far as 

six months in advance. By that I mean 

everything about the show is defined 

and paid for, staff is assigned to work 

the exhibit, our service contractor is on 

board with all our requirements, hotels are 

reserved, etc. 

Bob: How do you track results? 

Tim: If it’s a selling show, we simply 

track sales. If we’ve been exhibiting at 

a show long enough, we have a history 

that enables us to make comparisons, 

identify trends, etc. Recently, we have 

seen fewer attendees at the shows. At 

some shows, we just track the number 

of leads generated since we know 

that a percentage will convert to sales. 

Everything depends on the goals we set 

up in advance – our MLR matrix. 

Bob: How are you dealing with reduced 

attendee numbers? 

Tim: It’s somewhat expected, but still 

concerns us. It becomes one factor 

among many in deciding which shows 

to exhibit in. Even the selling shows 

which we continue to support present a 

challenge when attempting to match last 

year’s numbers. Companies are reluctant 

to carry heavy inventories so we are 

seeing them buy less. 

Bob: Isn’t that a challenge you face with 

other marketing media, not just trade 

shows? 

Tim: In today’s environment, more than 

ever, we have to evaluate our investment in 

our brands. It is not “business as usual” 


and we are seeing the landscape 

of marketing tactics changing 

constantly. I get between 20 to 40 

calls a day from vendors/salespeople 

all convinced they can grow my 

business like no other. So as my 

team scrutinizes new tactics, we have 

to really do our homework before 

moving an idea forward. 

Bob: Your career path includes 

management positions in several 

top-tier packaged-goods companies 

such as Kellogg, ConAgra, M&M/ 

Mars Inc. How were you introduced 

to trade shows? 

Tim: My first exposure was 

right out of the University 

of Missouri in St. Louis as 

a salesman for the Kellogg 

Company. Trade shows were a 

big part of my sales activity back 

then. Most of my customers were 

wholesalers who invited their 

customers to buying shows that could 

literally make or break my year. 

March to the Future. Lesmeister and Liza Gaoiran, director of Global Innovation, go over their 2009 strategy. 

Despite the recession, WD-40 increased its marketing budget for 2009. 

Bob: Do any shows stand out from this 

period? 

Tim: The FMI Show (Food Marketing 

Institute) was always great for selling as 

well as picking up good ideas on what 

other companies in the industry were 

doing. It was fast-paced and we got a lot 

done – it was not uncommon to make 

over 100 deals at the show. We came 

away feeling pretty energized about the 

show. Ultimately, it proved to be an 

invaluable experience for me in the art of 

selling and negotiating. That’s definitely 

not something you can learn by reading a 

book. 

Bob: As your career progressed and 

you changed jobs, what was the general 

attitude about trade shows and events? 

Tim: Trade shows were either considered 

a “cost of doing business” or a “way of 

doing business.” The shows where we 

could actually sell were those that we 

got more excited about and invested in 

accordingly. 

Bob: Do you have any trade show success 

stories to share? 

Tim: One of the biggest successes in my 

career from trade shows was at Kellogg’s: 

a buyer from a WalMart Hyper Mart in 

southern Missouri bought two truckloads 

of Pop Tarts at the show. For a 23-yearold 

right out of school, this was quite a 

rush. 

Bob: Any parting thoughts on the current 

economic situation? 

Tim: There has never been a bigger 

challenge for business, short term 

or long, and I fear the worst is yet to 

come. We can all manage the risk in our 

respective businesses: cost-competitive 

activities, failed innovation, customer/ 

consumer dynamics, whatever. What is 

difficult to manage is the volatility and 

uncertainty now facing us. At WD-40, 

we’ve increased our marketing budget 

and monitor everything extremely closely. 

One thing is for sure: the company that 

survives the recession will come out 

better and stronger than ever. I feel the 

future will be good for WD-40, and I’m 

doing my part to make that happen. 

Contact Tim Lesmeister at 619-275- 

1400 or tlesmeister@wd40.com 

Bob Dallmeyer, 

CEM, has 

been chairman 

of both the 

International 

Association of 

Exhibitions and 

Events (IAEE) 

and the Trade 

Bob Dallmeyer 

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 


Special Report 

Part V of a 

ten-part report 

on building 

attendance at 

trade shows 

How the Licensing Show Emerged as 

The Global Destination 

for the Licensing Industry 

By Sandi Cain, News Editor 

License to Deal. Licensing International Expo is a global gathering place for a market that is still maturing. 

Digital communications make brands recognizable worldwide. 

The Licensing International Expo has 

grown in each of the last five years, but 

like other shows, it faces a recessionstrapped 

economy that is challenging 

even the best marketers in growing 

attendance for 2009. 

But this show is different, 

according to Georgiann Decenzo, 

executive vice president, licensing, 

market development and Europe, for 

Advanstar Communications, Inc. 

“Licensing is in its adolescence in 

the U.S. but in its infancy overseas,” 

she said. As a result, there’s a growing 

interest from international companies 

to promote their content in the U.S. 

A populace increasingly enamored 

of all things digital also spurs licensing 

demand. The focus on “I” is the key: 

iTunes, iPods, iPhones – they’re all 

a part of the digital revolution that’s 

turning every household into a true 

Circuit City with a seemingly insatiable 

appetite for new video games or Wii 

workouts for all ages. Even Sesame Street 

is licensing its episodes and educational 

computer games. 

In a quirky way, the U.S. 

entertainment industry contributes 

to the globalization of licensing as 

various overseas brands like Teletubbies 

and Pokemon were introduced to the 

American public during entertainment 

industry strikes. Decenzo said the 

international market presence was 

heavy during the writers’ strike in 


Georgiann Decenzo 

2007 as they promoted their content to fill 

gaps left by delayed movies and television 

programming. “The proliferation of 

entertainment brands globally has 

changed the strategic direction for the 

show,” she said. “The Licensing show has 

become a global destination to build 

brand and property equity in the U.S., 

and that’s thriving despite the downturn.” 

That generates optimism for attendance 

as well. 

Another factor that points to possible 

attendance growth is that licensing is a 

future-oriented industry. “What happens 

at the 2009 show will be on the shelves 

in 2010 or 2011,” Decenzo said. Even 

the most dire economic forecasts expect 

some recovery by then. 

Booming Sector 

The Licensing Expo is already the 

top trade show for the $191 billion 

licensing industry and licensing deals 

have continued to grow – by 9% – in 

2008, despite an increasingly weakening 

economy. The 2009 exhibit floor is 20% 

larger than before, due in part to the 

show’s move from New York to Las 

Vegas. About 6,000 properties of the 

major Hollywood studios, entertainment 

companies, consumer brands, sports 

leagues, interactive properties, fashion 

labels and Fortune 500 companies are 

expected to be featured at roughly 500 

exhibit booths. Last year, about 25,000 

buyers attended. 

With that kind of positive energy 

already going for it, what more can 

organizers do to build attendance? As 

it turns out, there’s still plenty in the 

works. 

Speaking of Top Brands. Licensing International Expo is a “must-attend” event for companies seeking 

licensing opportunities. Attendance in 2008 grew 9% and the show has relocated to roomier quarters in 

Las Vegas. 

More on the Horizon 

For 2009, Decenzo and her Advanstar 

team created an interactive section for the 

exhibit hall and landed Nintendo as the 

anchor. Nintendo will introduce two new 

games, unveil Wii Ware that lets players 

download more games from the Internet, 

and debut Wii Speak Channel—a free 

download for those who purchase a Wii 

Speak microphone that lets gamers chat 

and instant message. Electronic Arts also 

will be a major exhibitor in that section. 

“People license into games and then 

launch out to entertainment,” Decenzo 

said. “It’s a deals marketplace with strong 

anchors.” 

The show also will launch a sporting 

section with the National Basketball 

Association as an anchor and was in 

negotiations with other major sports 

franchises at press time. 

A third area that is expected to 

generate a lot of attention is the apparel 

section, where even companies like Atari 

are introducing new lines. “That has great 

equity overseas,” Decenzo said. Other 

cross-platform promotion will include the 

James Bond franchise under Activision, 

which will expand to retail. 

Each new section and cross-platform 

promotion has the potential to increase 

the audience for the show. And there 

is no dearth of reminders to potential 

attendees about what’s coming. Marketing 

tools include promotions on Facebook, 

updates that can be accessed by mobile 

browsers or phones, monthly news recaps 

and Twitter feeds. “We’re going after the 

younger demographic (between ages 30 

and 40) for attendees,” Decenzo said. The 

show also may benefit from the recession, 

which typically encourages in-home 

entertainment as people seek alternatives 

to travel. 

Change of Scenery 

With half the audience base in 

California, the move of the show from 

New York to Las Vegas after 28 years is 

seen as a potential attendance builder, 

Decenzo said. What’s more, the Las 

Vegas venue offers more exhibit space. 

The move also enabled the show to book 

the earlier dates preferred by exhibitors 

but not available at the Jacob K. Javits 

Convention Center in New York, where 



TM 


the show was held for 28 years. “The 

needs of the business and exhibitors 

outweighed how good New York 

was to us,” Decenzo said. 

The expanded floor also gives 

Advanstar the option of contracting 

more exhibitors—particularly from 

the pool of smaller, less-established 

companies that might not have been 

able to afford the cross-country trek 

to exhibit in New York. Additionally, 

international attendees from Asia 

will have more direct access. 

Six months out, Decenzo is 

optimistic, if not realistic, about the 

prospects for 2009. “If organizers 

say they’re not concerned about 

attendance in this economy they’re 

lying,” she said. “However, Las 

Vegas gives us the best odds to 

retain attendees,” she added. 

Reach Georgiann Decenzo 

at (440) 243-8100 or gdecenzo@ 

advanstar.com 

Pass ‘Go.’ The Licensing International Expo serves as the launching pad for companies ready to market their 

trademarks as well as manufacturers banking on a brand to help them sell clothing and other consumer products. 

Snapshot: Licensing International Expo 

Name of Show: Licensing International Expo 

Website: www.licensingexpo.com Show owner: Advanstar Communications, Inc. 

Show management: Advanstar Communications, Inc. 

Show dates: June 10-12, 2008 Next Show: June 2-4, 2009 

2008 2007 2006 

Net square feet exhibit space 214,000 212,000 210,000 

Exhibiting companies 560 550 525 

Total attendance, including 24,500 (est.) 24,000 (est.) 23,000 (est.) 

Site Jacob K. Javits Jacob K. Javits Jacob K. Javits 

Convention Center Convention Center Convention Center 

General service contractor Freeman Freeman Freeman 

Registration firm experient Inc. Experient Inc. Experient Inc. 



Call for entries 

In today’s competitive business environment, 

where markets, technology and customer needs 

are changing rapidly, it is important to identify 

and nurture bold new ideas and solutions. 

Innovation drives the trade show industry. 

Without new ideas, all you can do is optimize 

what you have …… and lose ground as others 

Action Girl Trade Show (2004) 

Charles W. Allen (2007) 

Advanstar Communications, Inc. (2004) 

Austin Convention Center (2008) 

Bartizan Connects (2005, 2004) 

BD Metrics Inc. (2006) 

Capture Technologies (2005) 

Centurion Jewelry Show (2004) 

Chicago Convention & Tourism 

Bureau (2003) 

CompuSystems, Inc. (2006) 

Dietze Enterprises, Inc. (2005) 

Direct Energy Centre (2006) 

EXHIBITOR Show (2004, 2003) 

ExpoExchange/Experient Inc. (2004) 

EyeQ Development, Inc. (2006) 

2009 

INNOVATION 

AWARDS 

Past Winners 

Freeman (2008) 

GES Exposition Services (2008) 

Hanley Wood, LLC (2003) 

International Association of Assembly 

Managers (2007) 

InXpo, Inc. (2007) 

ITN International, Inc. (2007, 2006) 

Kaon Interactive, Inc. (2007) 

Kleertech (2008) 

Sam Lippman & Michael 

Hough / ECEF (2003) 

ListeNation (2008, 2004) 

MediaLive International, Inc. (2004) 

Messe Dusseldorf, Hannover Messe 

& Messe Munchen (2007) 

Messe Stuttgart (2007) 

create new products or processes that open the 

doors to new customers and increased revenue. 

Trade Show Executive magazine’s 7th Annual 

International Innovation Awards salutes those 

who are making waves, defying tradition and 

creating new value for exhibitors, attendees and 

the exposition industry as a whole. 

National Association of Broadcasters (2005) 

nTAG Interactive (2003) 

Opus Solutions (2004) 

Packaging Machinery Manufacturers 

Institute (2005) 

Reed Exhibitions (2004) 

Registration Control Systems (2008) 

Jaime Salazar (2007) 

SMART-reg International, Inc. (2008) 

Southern Nevada Teamsters Convention 

Training Trust (2007) 

The Super Show (2003) 

TradeShows Plus! (2006) 

Travel Technology Group (2003) 

Ungerboeck Systems International (2006) 

Virginia Beach Convention Center (2007) 

The top 5 winners 

will be invited to present 

their innovations to an 

elite audience of show 

organizers and CEOs of the 

largest 100 trade shows at 


Gold 100 Gala & Summit, 

September 2009 

EntEr today! Go to www.tradeShowExecutive.com/Innovationawards 

Questions? E-mail nicole Burnes, assistant Editor, at 

nburnes@tradeshowexecutive.com • tel: (760) 929-9604 

The deadline for entries is March 27th 


News, Views and Tools for Trade Show and Event Executives March 2009 

Who’s Who 

in Convention Bureaus

Who’s Who 

in Convention Bureaus 

Trade Show Executive’s 2009 edition of Who’s 

Who in Convention Bureaus presents the leaders 

of the key U.S. CVBs in the exhibition industry. 

You’ll find contact information for the top 

executives from each CVB, plus categories listing 

the city’s attractions, exhibit facilities and square 

footage, hotel inventory and support services. 

Learn how many hotels are within walking distance 

to city venues, how close airports are to hotels and 

convention centers, and who is offering booking 

incentives. Each page in the directory is in a format 

that allows easy city-by-city comparisons. 

The directory also includes valuable information 

on current and recently-completed projects for 

each destination. Which city added new hotels in 

2008? Which has expanded its facilities? In every 

listing, the latest attractions, events and amenities 

in each city are showcased especially for our 

readers. 

Trade Show Executive is proud of our 

association with convention and visitors bureaus in 

the United States and abroad. We are once again 

pleased to highlight those CVBs actively reaching 

out to trade show organizers in order to win their 

future business. 

Who’s That? 

Presented on the cover are the featured leaders from each 

CVB in the 2009 directory. They are (L to R): 

Top Row: Rossi Ralenkotter, President & CEO, Las 

Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority; Patrick Moscaritolo, 

President & CEO, Greater Boston Convention & Visitors 

Bureau; and Jeffrey Vasser, President, Atlantic City 

Convention & Visitors Authority. 

Middle Row: William Anderson, General Manager, 

Rosemont Convention & Tourism Bureau; Scott White, 

Executive Director, San Antonio Convention & Visitors 

Bureau; and Martha Sheridan, President & CEO, 

Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau. 

Bottom Row: Chris Meyer, Vice President of Convention 

Sales, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority; Beth 

Stehley, Vice President of Sales & Convention Services, 

Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau; Gary 

Musich, Vice President of Convention Development, 

Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority; Christopher 

Stephens, General Manager, Donald E. Stephens 

Convention Center; Ronnie Price, Assistant Executive 

Director, Sales & Marketing, San Antonio Convention & 

Visitors Bureau; and Neil Schriever, Senior Vice President, 

Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau. 

Table of Contents 

Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.28 

Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.29 

Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.30 

Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.31 

Rosemont Convention & Tourism Bureau. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.32 

San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.33 



ADVERTORIAL 

Atlantic City Convention 

& Visitors Authority 

2314 Pacific Avenue 

Atlantic City, NJ 08401 

(609) 449-7100 

Convention Sales: (888) 222-3683 

www.atlanticcitynj.com 

Meeting Planners Website: 

www.meetinac.com 

Jeffrey Vasser 

President 

(609) 449-2032 

jvasser@accva.com 

Gary Musich 

Vice President of 

Convention Development 

(609) 449-7110 

gmusich@accva.com 

Mike Reynolds 

Senior Director of 

National Sales 

(609) 449-7136 

mreynolds@accva.com 

Highlights of Atlantic City 

Atlantic City has everything you need 

for the perfect East Coast trade 

show or convention, and there’s 

always something new to keep it 

fresh. The city that’s Always Turned On 

offers first-class meeting facilities at the 

Atlantic City Convention Center and at 

hotels throughout the area. Located in 

the heart of the country’s most populous 

area, Atlantic City is easy to get to and 

convenient for regional shows and 

meetings. Meeting planners and delegates 

alike will appreciate the variety of hotels, 

restaurants and entertainment options. 

Your Total Meeting Resource – the Atlantic 

City Convention & Visitors Authority — 

can help you pull it all together into an 

outstanding event. 

Exhibit Facilities 

Atlantic City Convention Center: 500,000 

sf of contiguous exhibit space, 45 meeting 

rooms from 700 sf to 12,900 sf, and ample 

pre-function space. Also, a variety of 

conference and convention facilities in 11 

casinos as well as several non-casino hotels. 

Hotel Inventory 

More than 20,000 rooms within five miles; 

3,200 new first-class rooms opened in 

2008. 

The Sheraton Atlantic City Convention 

Center Hotel with 502 guest rooms is 

attached to the convention center by a 

covered pedestrian walkway. 

Taxes 

3 Hotel/motel tax: 13%, plus 1% hotel 

occupancy fee. 

3 Sales tax: 7% food and non-alcoholic 

beverages, 10% alcoholic beverages 

consumed on premises. 

Responsibility for Bookings 

Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, 

(888) 222-3683. Online full-service resource 

and RFP submittal: www.meetinac.com. 

Support Services 

Attendance building; a full range of 

registration services; floor managers; room 

monitors; survey conductors; housing 

department; spouse and VIP programs; 

restaurant information and reservations; 

shuttle coordination; site inspections; 

promotional materials; visitor/delegate 

information; travel information; concierge 

at convention center; media relations 

assistance. 

On the Horizon 

Getting to Atlantic City is becoming easier 

all the time. Spirit Airlines begins service 

between Boston and the Atlantic City 

International Airport in Spring of 2009, and 

the ACES weekend train service now runs 

between New York City’s Penn Station and 

the Atlantic City Rail Terminal, with a stop 

in Newark. In 2008, Atlantic City saw its 

room inventory increase by 3,200 first-class 

rooms, with the opening of the Chairman 

Tower at Trump Taj Mahal, The Waterfront 

Tower at Harrah’s, The Water Club at 

Borgata, The Chelsea boutique hotel and 

a Courtyard by Marriott. Several notable 

restaurants opened in 2008, as well, such 

as Izakaya at The Borgata, McCormick & 

Schmick at Harrah’s, and branches of New 

York’s famous Il Mulino at Trump Taj Mahal 

and Patsy’s at the Atlantic City Hilton. Still to 

come in 2009: a mid-year opening of One 

Atlantic, a special event venue atop The Pier 

Shops at Caesars, which will accommodate 

corporate and group events of any kind or 

style. 



ADVERTORIAL 

Greater Boston 

Convention & Visitors 

Bureau 

2 Copley Place, Suite 105 

Boston, MA 02115 

(617) 867-8236 

Fax: (617) 424-7664 

gbcvbsales@bostonusa.com 

www.bostonusa.com 

Patrick B. Moscaritolo 

President & CEO 

(617) 867-8235 

patm@bostonusa.com 

Beth Stehley 

Vice President of Sales 

& Convention Services 

(617) 867-8236 

bstehley@bostonusa.com 

Highlights of Boston 

Boston. America’s Walking City. 

A city rich in history with great 

dining and nightlife, extraordinary 

shopping, exciting sporting events, 

and a vibrant arts and cultural community. 

From the downtown core to the outlying 

neighborhoods, Boston is a city of intriguing 

diversity. Recently named America’s Favorite 

City by readers of Travel and Leisure 

Magazine, Boston was also named the 

third greenest city in the United States by 

Popular Science Magazine. 


Boston Convention & Exhibition Center 

3 516,000 square feet of contiguous 

exhibit space 

3 84 fully-configurable meeting rooms 

with 160,000 square feet of space and 

a 40,020 square foot ballroom 

Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center Boston 

3 120,000 square feet of contiguous 

exhibit space 

3 Theatre-style seating for 7,000 and two 

5,000 square-foot ballrooms with 

water views 

Hynes Convention Center 

3 More than 175,000 square feet of 

exhibit space 

3 37 meeting rooms, as well as a 25,000 

square-foot ballroom and 4,000-seat 

auditorium 

3 Connected via climate controlled 

walkways to three hotels and two 

shopping gallerias. 


The Greater Boston area has more than 

150 hotels and 30,000 rooms with more 

opening each year. 

There are 3,126 rooms connected 

to the Hynes Convention Center and 

790 rooms connected to the Boston 

Convention & Exhibition Center. 

Taxes 

3 12.45% hotel tax in Boston and Cambridge 


12 month window – 18 months: 

Greater Boston CVB 

Long term window – outside of 18 months: 

Boston Convention Marketing Center 


GBCVB staff can assist planners with: 

complimentary RFPs; site inspections; 

attendance-building promotions; 

destination collateral; housing services; 

and a concierge and restaurant services 

desk during your convention. 

Booking Incentives 

The Greater Boston CVB, along with its 

partners, Amtrak, American Airlines, the 

Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority and 

over 22 member hotels have created a 

revolutionary meetings initiative valid for all 

business booked in 2009 and actualized 

through March 31, 2010. Contact the 

GBCVB for more information. 


The 471-room Renaissance Boston Waterfront 

Hotel opened in 2008, as well as the 148- 

room Boston Mandarin Oriental Hotel and the 

150-room Hotel at Battery Wharf. In 2009, the 

city will welcome the 113-room Morgans Hotel, 

a 235-room W Hotel and a 72-room Holiday 

Inn Express Hotel and Suites. 

In 2009, Boston’s reputation as one 

of America’s premier waterfront cities 

is highlighted by its hosting two major 

international sailing events: Volvo Ocean Race 

in May and the internationally renowned Tall 

Ships Atlantic Challenge with more than 50 

majestic Tall Ships joining the Parade of Sail 

into Boston Harbor on July 8th. 

We will also welcome the NCAA Men’s 

Lacrosse Championships, as well as the 113th 

annual Boston Marathon in April and the 45th 

Head of the Charles Regatta in October. 



ADVERTORIAL 

Las Vegas Convention 

and Visitors Authority 

3150 Paradise Road 

Las Vegas, NV 89109 

(702) 892-0711 

www.lvcva.com 

Rossi Ralenkotter 

President/CEO 

Chris Meyer, CEM, CMP 

Vice President of 

Convention Sales 

(702) 892-0711 

cmeyer@lvcva.com 

Highlights of Las Vegas 

Las Vegas has whatever you’re 

looking for to make your event 

the most spectacular ever. From 

the glitz and action along the 

world-famous Las Vegas Strip to the 

relaxing feel of the Mediterraneaninspired 

resorts at Lake Las Vegas, 

the can-do attitude of the destination’s 

hospitality professionals will make your 

trip one to remember. Las Vegas is the 

world’s most desirable destination for 

both leisure and business travel, and 

trade shows tend to experience greater 

attendance and participation when the 

show is held here. On top of nearly 

ten million square feet of meeting and 

convention space, Las Vegas boasts 

some of the premier accommodations, 

dining, shopping, entertainment, golf 

and spas in the world. 


3 Las Vegas Convention Center: 

2.1million square feet of prime 

exhibit space 

3 Cashman Center: 100,000 square 

feet of prime exhibit space. 


More than 136,000 available hotel/ 

motel rooms within five-mile radius. 

Taxes: 

3 Hotel tax: 9% 

3 Sales tax: 7.75% 


The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors 

Authority (LVCVA) books all events for 

the Las Vegas Convention Center and 

Cashman Center. 


The Las Vegas Convention Center 

offers a full range of support services 

from registration assistance to public 

relations assistance. 


Current booking incentives include 

the “Vegas VIP RFP Sweepstakes” 

and the “You Could Win Your Ride 

Home Sweepstakes.” Both sweepstakes 

are accepting entries now through 

June 25, 2009. For more information, 

official rules and regs and to enter, 

go to LVCVA.com/rfp. 


Las Vegas is expected to add 

approximately 13,000 new guest rooms 

and nearly one million square feet of 

meeting and convention space in 2009. 



ADVERTORIAL 

Providence Warwick 

Convention & Visitors 

Bureau 

144 Westminster Street 

Providence, RI 02903 

(401) 456-0200 

www.GoProvidence.com 

Photo credit: Stephanie Izzo 

Martha Sheridan 


(401) 456-0224 

msheridan@pwcvb.com 

Neil Schriever 

Senior Vice President 

(401) 456-0237 

nschriever@pwcvb.com 

Kristin McGrath 

Director of Sales 

(401) 456-0229 

kmcgrath@pwcvb.com 

Highlights of Providence 

Providence, Rhode Island is known for 

its rich history, arts and culture, and 

nationally acclaimed dining. The Rhode 

Island Convention and Entertainment 

Complex, which consists of the Rhode Island 

Convention Center (RICC), the Dunkin’ 

Donuts Center and the Veterans Memorial 

Auditorium, stands in the heart of the city 

within walking distance of hotels, eclectic 

shops and a diverse culinary scene. 

Recognized as one of the country’s 

hottest culinary destinations, Providence is 

home to Johnson & Wales University, the 

world’s largest culinary educator. Many of the 

university’s chefs remain in Providence after 

graduation, which is reflected in the city’s 

much-lauded dining scene. 

Nearby Warwick, Rhode Island is centrally 

located, and within easy reach the entire state. 

Warwick features miles of scenic coastline 

and spectacular views, and offers additional 

hotel, dining and entertainment options. 


Rhode Island Convention Center: 

3 100,000 contiguous square-foot 

exhibition hall 

3 20,000 square-foot ballroom 

3 23 meeting rooms 

3 Two adjacent garages 

Dunkin’ Donuts Center: 

3 13,000-seat indoor arena 

3 31,000 square feet of arena space 

3 25,000 square-foot concourse 

3 Additional meeting/hospitality rooms 

3 Recently unveiled its $80 million 

renovation 


3 2,200 committable hotel rooms within 

one mile of the RICC 

3 1,000 committable hotel rooms 

attached/adjacent to RICC 

3 450 committable hotel rooms attached 

to the RICC 

Taxes 

3 7% RI sales tax 

3 6% occupancy tax 

3 8% meal tax 


The RICC’s sales team is responsible for 

bookings within a 12-month window. The 

Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors 

Bureau (PWCVB) books long-term dates. 


The PWCVB’s convention services team 

works closely with meeting planners to 

help boost their meeting’s attendance 

through targeted e-mail blasts; postcard 

mailings; reciprocal web links; interactive 

maps; attendee websites/microsites; 

collateral; welcome banners; signage 

and more. 


Special incentives may be extended 

during the off-peak season (December 

– February; July and August). Rental 

discounts may be applicable based on 

food and beverage contribution. Please 

contact the PWCVB for details. 


There’s a new addition to the Rhode 

Island Convention Center family. The 

Center’s governing authority now manages 

and operates the Veterans Memorial 

Auditorium, a historic performing arts 

facility. Combined with the recent opening 

of a skywalk between the Convention 

Center and Dunkin’ Donuts Center, 

this acquisition has led to the Center 

becoming known as the Rhode Island 

Convention and Entertainment Complex. 

Having this mix of arena, exhibition 

and performance space managed by 

one company streamlines the planning 

process, and makes Providence the ideal 

destination for your next meeting or event. 



ADVERTORIAL 

Rosemont Convention 

& Tourism Bureau 

9301 W. Bryn Mawr 

Rosemont, IL 60018 

(847) 823-2100 

www.rosemont.com 

William Anderson 

General Manager 



(847) 993.4622 

banderson@rosemont.com 

Christopher R. Stephens 


Donald E. Stephens Convention 

and Conference Center 

(847) 993.4606 

cstephens@rosemont.com 

Grant Bailey 

Assistant General Manager 

Donald E. Stephens Convention 

and Conference Center 

(847) 993.4608 

gbailey@rosemont.com 

Highlights of Rosemont 

Meetings, trade shows and 

conventions are Rosemont’s 

No.1 industry. Located directly 

east of Chicago’s O’Hare 

International Airport, Rosemont, Illinois 

offers premier facilities and services. 

Rosemont’s Donald E. Stephens 

Convention and Conference Center, 

along with the 17,000-seat Allstate Arena 

and the 4,300-seat Rosemont Theatre, 

host an average 50,000 visitors daily. 

The Stephen’s Center enjoys one of the 

highest rates of return in the industry – an 

impressive 88%. 

Rosemont’s location, just five minutes 

from O’Hare, is easy and convenient. 


The Stephens Center, with 840,000 square 

feet of flexible space and an additional 

92,000 square feet of conference center 

space, hosts more than 100 major meetings 

and events annually. An 8,000-car parking 

facility, covered walkway and interior entry 

make the center attractive and convenient 

year-round. 

Continuous 250,000 square feet 

of exhibition space can accommodate 

1,255 booths, or a multiple hall layout can 

accommodate as many as 3,566 booths. 

The largest ballroom accommodates 4,000 

theater-style or 3,000 for a banquet. The 

newest space offers rooms from 345 square 

feet to more than 17,000 square feet. 


3 4,300 rooms within a city block of the 

convention center with 2,055 rooms 

connected to the center 

3 10,000 rooms in Rosemont within a two 

mile radius 


Contact Grant Bailey at (847)993-4608, 

gbailey@rosemont.com. 


Rosemont Exposition Services (RES) offers 

premier service at the Center. Contact 

Dave Houston at (847) 993-4654 or write 

dhouston@rosemontexpo.com. 

Bill Anderson at the Rosemont 

Convention & Tourism Bureau offers 

logistical and promotional support for 

event planners. Call (847) 993-4622 or 

write banderson@rosemont.com for more 

information. 

Recent Additions 

Exciting things are already happening in 

Rosemont: Allstate Arena presents the 

world’s top musical performers, exhilarating 

sports, and family entertainment with events 

and shows weekly for those with even the 

most unique tastes. Rosemont Theatre is 

your ticket to lavish Broadway musicals, 

full-scale productions and world-class 

entertainers. The Theatre, Allstate Arena and 

each of our entertainment venues present 

unforgettable show-going experiences, as 

does Rosemont. 



ADVERTORIAL 

San Antonio Convention 


203 S. St. Mary’s 

San Antonio, TX 78205 

(866) 517-7771 

Fax : (210) 207-6739 

www.visitsanantonio.com 

Scott White 

Executive Director 

(210) 207-6723 

scottwhite@visitsanantonio.com 

Ronnie Price 

Assistant Executive Director, 

Sales & Marketing 

(210) 207-6776 

ronnieprice@visitsanantonio.com 

Steve Clanton 

Vice President, 

Sales & Services 

(210) 207-6717 

steveclanton@visitsanantonio.com 

Highlights of San Antonio 

San Antonio offers a dynamite 

combination of history, culture, food, 

arts, music and golf – providing 

an authentic meeting destination 

that attracts some 26 million visitors 

annually. On the picturesque River 

Walk, delegates find hotels, restaurants, 

shopping and the 600,000 square-foot 

Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. 

San Antonio’s package includes gleaming 

headquarter hotels, destination resorts, 

historic boutiques and more. This authentic 

city eases meeting plans with a central 

location, 300 days of annual sunshine and 

a passion for service and hospitality. 


Located on the famous River Walk, the 

Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center 

features: 

3 600,000+ square feet of exhibit and 

meeting space 

3 Nearly 440,000 square feet of 

contiguous exhibit space 

3 63 breakout rooms 

3 Three hotel-quality ballrooms totaling 

90,000 square feet 

3 Lila Cockrell Theatre for the Performing 

Arts seats over 2,500 


3 The San Antonio area is home to some 

38,000 hotel rooms – over 12,000 

located downtown. 

3 10,000 committable hotel rooms in 

downtown San Antonio. 

Taxes 

3 16.75% Hotel Occupancy Tax 

3 8.125% Sales Tax (please note, there 

is no sales tax on hotels, only H.O.T.) 


3 Long term events (12 months or 

longer): SACVB 

3 Short term events (within 12 months): 

Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center 


The SACVB’s award-winning Services 

Division works with the Sales Division to 

create a seamless transition from sales to 

service. Service assistance includes the 

following: 

3 Computerized housing and 

registration assistance; 

3 Coordination of site and 

planning meetings; 

3 Welcome Packages; 

3 Community awareness of 

groups meeting in San Antonio; 

3 Service leads (request for proposal 

to area suppliers); 

3 Welcome signage at airport; 

3 Marketing support through customized 

microsites, print and electronic 

attendance builders; 

3 PR support through digital images, 

B-roll, destination copy; and 

3 Liaison for contacts with city, county 

and state officials. 


In May 2009, the River Walk will nearly 

double in length from two to four miles. 

The extension will connect the convention 

center and thousands of hotel rooms 

to even more attractions and venues as 

stone walkways, water features, foliage, 

public art, pocket parks and more. When 

complete in 2014, the entire $279 million 

project will lengthen the River Walk to 13 

miles, and include a southern reach to the 

Spanish colonial missions. 


These aren’t the best of times, nor are 

they quite the worst. But they do seem 

to be the most uncertain. The challenges 

today do not match those three months 

ago and they may not match those 

three months ahead. Whether a city 

or convention center, decisions must 

be made after thorough analysis and 

a leap of faith. Large projects – such 

as convention center construction – 

may not be able to make that jump 

comfortably, and many decisions are no 

longer set in stone. 

Pardon 

our 

Dust 

By Renee DiIulio, senior editor, news & directories and 

Nicole Burnes, assistant editor 

Convention Construction in Flux; Building Slows but Does Not Stop 

This edition of Trade Show Executive’s semi-annual Pardon 

Our Dust provides details on 39 convention center projects. 

An additional 26 venues are on the drawing board, with a 

complete listing on p. 35. 

Here are a few fast facts about construction currently 

underway: 

• Of the 39 centers in this report, 18 are new facilities 

under construction and 21 are expansions. 

Once-certain convention construction 

projects are no more while some eternal 

hopefuls have returned to the drawing 

board (Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, 

Cobo Center and others). Projects have 

been abandoned: Gaylord’s Chula Vista 

on-again, off-again, on-again project 

is now off. Others were delayed: the 

Legends Bay Casino-Resort-Spa in Sparks, 

NV has postponed its groundbreaking. 

Many continue to move slowly; projected 

completion dates have been pushed back. 

The Meeting Center at Echelon has not 

Trade Show Executive Snapshot: By the Numbers 

• Since October 2008, six centers have opened their 

doors. Five of them were expansions and one is a new 

building. 

• The six recently opened centers brought online 

2,139,911 square feet of prime exhibit space and 

487,743 square feet of meeting space. 

• According to the construction calendar 19 centers 

will open their doors in 2009, 12 expect to complete 

construction in 2010 and four will finish in 2011. There 

are an additional four that don’t yet know. 

yet set a new date for the completion of 

its delayed project. 

This edition of Trade Show Executive’s 

Pardon Our Dust found fewer centers under 

construction, contemplating construction 

or just completing it than in the Fall 2008 

edition. But boom times typically follow 

busts, so construction has not completely 

halted. There are 26 convention centers 

in pre-development stages, and 39 centers 

with construction underway. The industry 

continues to look ahead, preparing for the 

next growth cycle. 

• When completed, projects currently underway will add a 

total of 2,335,125 square feet of prime exhibit space and 

1,884,359 square feet of meeting space. 

• Of this, expansions will be responsible for 1,246,766 

square feet of prime exhibit space and 516,213 square 

feet of meeting space. 

• New facilities will add 1,088,359 square feet of prime 

exhibit space and 1,368,146 square feet of meeting 

space. 

• The average size of an expansion results in 433,444 

square feet of prime exhibit space and 121,791 square 

feet of meeting space. 

• The average new build offers 108,839 square feet of 

prime exhibit space and 124,377 square feet of meeting 

space. 



Convention Centers 

on the Drawing Board 

Discussion Stage 

• Albany Convention Center, Albany, NY 

• Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA 

• Cobo Convention Center, Detroit, MI 

• Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA 

• Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY 

• Myriad Botanical Resort, Tunica, MS 

• Oberlin (College) Convention Center, 

Oberlin, OH 

• Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 

Ocean City, MD 

• San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA 

• Tempe Convention Center/University 

Square, Tempe, AZ 

• Tucson Convention Center, Tucson, AZ 

Feasibility Stage 

• Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI 

• Bismarck Civic Center, Bismarck, ND 

• Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, 

Boston, MA 

• Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, 

San Antonio, TX 

• Prairie Capital Convention Center, Springfield, IL 

• San Jose McEnery Convention Center, 

San Jose, CA 

Financing Stage 

• Boise Convention Center, Boise, ID 

• Gaylord Mesa, Mesa, AZ 

• Winnipeg Convention Center, 

Winnipeg, MB, Canada 

Legislative Approval Stage 

• Fairplex, Southern California’s Event & 

Entertainment Center, Pomona, CA 

• Music City Center, Nashville, TN 

• Washington State Convention 

& Trade Center, Seattle, WA 

Design Stage 

• Legends Bay Casino-Resort-Spa, 

Sparks, NV (groundbreaking postponed) 

• Myrtle Beach Convention Center, 

Myrtle Beach, SC 

• Waco Convention Center, 

Waco, TX 

Represents new builds 




Construction 

Calendar 

An Overview of 2008 and a Look to 2012 

2008/2009 2009/2010 2011 & Beyond 

(See also p.xx for a list of projects in the early discussion phase) 

4th Quarter 2008 

• Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, 

Las Vegas, NV 

• Expo Guadalajara, Guadalajara, 

JAL, Mexico 

• Greater Philadelphia Expo Center 

at Oaks, Philadelphia, PA 

• Jackson Convention Complex, 

Jackson, MS 

• Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, FL 

• Phoenix Convention Center, 

Phoenix, AZ 

1st Quarter 2009 

• Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, 

NV (2009) 

• Concord Resort & Golf Club, 

Kiamesha Lake, NY (2009) 

• Embassy Suites - Loveland Hotel, 

Spa & Conference Center, 

Loveland, CO 

• Pasadena Convention Center, 

Pasadena, CA 

2nd Quarter 2009 

• Cintermex, Monterrey, NL, Mexico 

• Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, 

Las Vegas, NV 

• Lancaster County Convention Center, 

Lancaster, PA 

• Vancouver Convention & Exhibition 

Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada 

3rd Quarter 2009 

• Calgary Stampede Park, Calgary, 

AB, Canada 

• Santa Clara Convention Center, 

Santa Clara, CA 


• Allstream Centre at Exhibition Place 

(connected to Direct Energy Centre), 

Toronto, ON, Canada 

• ARIA Resort & Casino (CityCenter), 

Las Vegas, NV 


4th Quarter 2009 (Continued) 

• Bloomington - Normal Marriott Hotel 

& Conference Center, Normal, IL 

• Greater Columbus Convention 

Center, Columbus, OH 

• Evraz Place, Regina, SK, Canada 

• Mississippi Coast Coliseum & 

Convention Center, Biloxi, MS 

• Northlands, Edmonton, AB, Canada 

• SeaGate Convention Centre/Lucas 

County Arena, Toledo, OH 

• Walter E. Washington Convention 

Center, Washington, DC 


• Charlotte Convention Center, 

Charlotte, NC 

• JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country 

Resort & Spa, San Antonio, TX 

• Pennsylvania Convention Center, 

Philadelphia, PA (2010) 

• Tulsa Convention Center, Tulsa, OK 

• Wilmington Convention Center, 

Wilmington, NC 


• The Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino, 

Las Vegas, NV 


• Bemidji Events Center, Bemidji, MN 

• Duluth Entertainment Convention 

Center, Duluth, MN 

• Holiday Inn Select Chicago - Tinley 

Park Convention Center, Tinley 

Park, IL 

• Indiana Convention Center & Lucas 

Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN 

• Irving Convention Center, Irving, TX 

• Las Cruces Convention Center, 

Las Cruces, NM 


• Las Vegas Convention Center, 

Las Vegas, NV (2011) 


• Niagara Convention & Civic Centre, 

Niagara Falls, ON, Canada 

• Ottawa Convention Center, Ottawa, 

ON, Canada 

3rd Quarter 2011 

• Embassy Suites Pleasant Grove 

Hotel, Convention Center & Spa, 

Pleasant Grove, UT 

To Be Determined 

• Cleveland Medical Mart & Trade 

Show Facility, Cleveland, OH 

• Expo Imperial, Acapulco Diamante, 

Guerrero, Mexico (construction 

halted; new timetable to be 

determined) 

• The Meeting Center at Echelon, 

Las Vegas, NV (delayed) 

• Piers 92/94 (formerly The 

UnConvention Center), New York, NY 



At its heart, Daytona Beach will always be the world’s most famous 

gathering place. But today, meeting planners can look to Daytona Beach for 

state-of-the-art meeting rooms and conference centers, plus everything your 

attendees desire: championship golf courses, contemporary dining, deluxe 

hotels, and even rejuvenating full-service spas. 

Isn’t it time you rediscovered Daytona Beach? 

• Newly-expanded Ocean Center Convention Complex – now featuring 

205,000 square feet of flexible meeting and exhibit space. 

• Quality, full-service hotels – complete with plenty of functional 

meeting space. 

• More than 12,000 guest rooms – many of which are on the beach and 

close to great shopping and eateries. 

To plan your meeting or event, call 866.530.3140 

www.daytonabeachmeetings.com 



A Semi-Annual Report of New 

Exhibition Centers & Expansions 


*Trade Show Executive magazine uses “prime exhibit space” as the primary metric for convention center 

exhibit space, rather than total exhibit space, which can be misleading. Prime exhibit space refers strictly 

to exhibit space within dedicated exhibit halls, whether contiguous or not. It excludes meeting space, 

ballrooms, pre-function areas and outdoor space, which are listed in other sections of the chart. 

** As defined by Trade Show Executive, “flex space,” or swing space, signifies multi-function areas that 

may also be used as exhibit space. 

Exhibition Facility existing Space Post Construction key Features Management 

CALIFORNIA 

Pasadena 

Pasadena Convention Center Prime Exhibit Space*: 26,650 sf Prime Exhibit Space: 80,000 sf Includes 3,000-seat Pasadena Civic Michael Ross, CEO, (626) 793-2122; 

300 E. Green St. Meeting Space: 28,000 sf Meeting Space: 28,000 sf Auditorium. $121.6 MIL expansion to mross@pasadenacenter.com. 

Pasadena, CA 91101 18 Breakout Rooms Completion Date: March 1, 2009 include 25,000 sf ballroom and 28,000 James Canfield, Executive Director, 

www.pasadenacenter.com See Phase: Construction 90% sf meeting space. Walk to four hotels, (626) 793-2122; jcanfield@pasadenacenter.com. 

our ad on 

page 39 

complete 200 shops and restaurants. Monica Smith, Director of Sales, 

(800) 307-7977; msmith@visitpasadena.com. 

Santa Clara 

Santa Clara Convention Center Prime Exhibit Space: 100,000 sf Prime Exhibit Space: 100,000 sf The new 22,400 sf wireless, column- Steve Van Dorn, President & CEO, 

1850 Warburton Ave. Meeting Space: 47,000 sf Meeting Space: 69,400 sf free ballroom space is flexible and can be (408) 380-1231; steve.vandorn@santaclara.org. 

Santa Clara, CA 95050 25 Breakout Rooms 31 Breakout Rooms used for table-top exhibits, general Annette Manhart, Vice President of Convention Sales, 

www.santaclara.org Completion Date: July 2009 sessions, banquets or meetings. Over Marketing & Services, (408) 380-1239; 

Phase: Construction more than 2,000 free parking spaces. On-site UPS annette.manhart@santaclara.org. 

50% complete. store. 

COLORADO 

Loveland 

Embassy Suites - Loveland Hotel, New Facility Prime Exhibit Space: TBD Luxury facilities include 80,000 gsf John Q. Hammons Hotels and Resorts: 

Spa & Conference Center Meeting Space: TBD and 263-suite hotel located in The Scott Holms, Director of Sales, 

4705 Clydesdale Pkwy. 19 Breakout Rooms Ranch, home of Larimer County (970) 593-6200; scott.holm@jqh.com. 

Loveland, CO 80538 Completion Date: March 2009 Fairgrounds and Budweiser Events 

www.embassysuitesloveland.com Phase: Construction Center. 

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 

Washington, D.C. 

Walter E. Washington Convention Center Prime Exhibit Space: 703,000 sf Prime Exhibit Space: 703,000 sf New 40,000 sf meeting space will be Samuel Thomas, Deputy General Manager, 

801 Mount Vernon Pl. NW Meeting Space: 150,000 sf Meeting Space: 190,000 sf created through a retrofit rather than (202) 249-3000; sthomas@dcconvention.com. 

Washington, DC 20001 66 Breakout Rooms Completion Date: December 2009 expansion. 52,000 sf ballroom; down- Linda Erickson, Director of Sales, 

www.dcconvention.com town; 65 loading docks; walk to hotels. (202) 249-3141; lerickson@dcconvention.com. 

ILLINOIS 

Normal 

Bloomington - Normal Marriott New Facility Prime Exhibit Space: TBD 21,000 sf ballroom. Luxury facilities John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts: 

Hotel & Conference Center Meeting Space: 45,000 gsf include 229-room hotel and climate- Heather VanVoorhis, Director of Sales, 

201 Broadway Ave. 12 Breakout Rooms controlled skywalk to 500-space (309) 862-9000; heather.vanvoorhis@jqh.com. 

Normal, IL 61761 Completion Date: Fall 2009 parking deck across Beaufort St. 

www.marriottnormal.com 

Phase: Construction 

Tinley Park 

Holiday Inn Select Chicago - Tinley Prime Exhibit Space: 18,000 sf Prime Exhibit Space: 42,000 sf Project also includes technology up- Margaret Collina, Vice President of Midcon, 

Park Convention Center Meeting Space: 15,500 sf Meeting Space: 21,500 sf grades, expanded loading dock; second (708) 444-1100; sales@tphicc.com. 

18501 S. Harlem Ave. Completion Date: Fall 2010 kitchen; 450 new parking spaces; 68 

Tinley Park, IL 60477 Phase: Groundbreaking expected additional guest rooms in attached hotel, 

www.ichotelsgroup.com late Spring 2009 bringing total to 270. 



© Pasadena CVB 2008 

SIMPLY MORE 

SPACE 

Pasadena’s Jet Propulsion Lab sent a mission to 

Mars in hopes of finding life in outer space. 

Whatever your mission is, you’ll find everything your audience needs just steps away from our $150 million 

renovated convention center and hotels. Starting Spring 2009, the Pasadena Convention Center will provide 

you with more space, more meeting rooms and even a new ballroom. 

Call 800.307.7977 to reserve your space and enjoy the art, the culture, the indoors and out of a worldrenowned 

city found at VisitPasadena.com. You couldn’t be more welcome – no matter what planet you’re from. 

To book your meeting, visit us at PasadenaMeetings.com 


Trade Show Executive’s 2009 Semi-Annual Report | New Convention Centers & Expansions 



INDIANA 

Indianapolis 

Indiana Convention Center & Prime Exhibit Space: Prime Exhibit Space: Expansion figures are estimates only. Capital Improvement Board: Barney 

Lucas Oil Stadium (LOS) Convention Center: 312,400 sf Convention Center: 566,600 sf Connected by skywalk to eight premium Levengood, Executive Director, (317) 

100 S. Capitol Ave. LOS: 183,000 sf LOS: 183,000 sf hotels; 15 minutes from the airport. 262-3403; barney.levengood@icclos.com. 

Indianapolis, IN 46225 Meeting Space: Meeting Space: State-of-the-art Internet and data Linda Addaman, Director of Marketing & 

www.icclos.com Convention Center: 113,283 sf Convention Center: 175,263 sf services. Sales, (317) 262-3404; 

48 Breakout Rooms 83 Breakout Rooms linda.addaman@icclos.com. 

LOS: 13,000 sf See 

12 Breakout Rooms our ad on 

LOS: 13,000 sf 

12 Breakout Rooms 

page 41 Completion Date: Late 2010 

MINNESOTA 

Bemidji 

Bemidji Events Center New Facility Prime Exhibit Space: TBD 185,000 sf center features arena John Chattin, Bemidji City Manager, 

317 Fourth St. Meeting Space: TBD and convention center. (218) 759-3565; jchattin@ci.bemidji.mn.us. 

Bemidji, MN 56601 Completion Date: Fall 2010 

www.bemidjievents.com 

Phase: Early construction 

Duluth 

Duluth Entertainment Convention Center Prime Exhibit Space: 118,000 sf Prime Exhibit Space: 144,000 sf The new LEED-certified arena connects Dan Russell, Executive Director, 

350 Harbor Dr. Meeting Space: 250,000 sf Meeting Space: 250,000 sf to existing exhibit space, breakout rooms, (218) 722-5573; drussell@decc.org. 

Duluth, MN 55802 32 Breakout Rooms 32 Breakout Rooms two ballrooms and 2,300-seat auditorium. Sue Ellen Moore, Director of Sales, 

www.decc.org Completion Date: Dec. 31, 2010 Ten-minute drive to airport; skywalks to (218) 722-5573 x202; smoore@decc.org. 


downtown; walk to 1,600 hotel rooms. 

MISSISSIPPI 

Biloxi 

Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Flex Space**: 180,000 sf Flex Space: 413,000 sf Single-level facility located directly Paula April, Director of Marketing, 

Convention Center Completion Date: Oct. 2009 across from the beach. 40’ loading (228) 594-3700; papril@mscoastcoliseum.com. 

2350 Beach Blvd. Phase: Repair and construction doors. 

Biloxi, MS 39531 

www.mscoastcoliseum.com 

NEVADA 

Las Vegas 

ARIA Resort & Casino (CityCenter) New Facility Meeting Space: 300,000 sf 4,000-room casino-resort. 300,000 sf MGM Mirage: Stephanie Windham, Director of 

3750 Las Vegas Blvd. South 36 Breakout Rooms meeting space includes four ballrooms, Sales, (702) 590-7171; swindham@citycenter.com. 

Las Vegas, NV 89109 Completion Date: Late 2009 36 meeting rooms, two boardrooms; 16 

www.arialasvegas.com Phase: Construction restaurants; 80,000 sf spa; Cirque du 

Soleil; pursuing LEEDS certification. 

Caesars Palace Prime Exhibit Space: Prime Exhibit Space: $1 BIL two-level facility; two ballrooms expand Gary Selesner, President, 

3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South Approx. 65,000 sf Approx. 169,000 sf to 52,000 sf each; two boardrooms; break- (877) MEET-702; lvmeetings@harrahs.com. 

Las Vegas, NV 89109 Meeting Space: 240,000 sf Meeting Space: 300,000 sf outs; promenades; banquet kitchens; John Unwin, General Manager, 

www.lvmeetingsbyharrahs.com 56 Breakout Rooms Approx. 100 Breakout Rooms support facilities; terrace. New 665-room (877) MEET-702; lvmeetings@harrahs.com. 

Completion Date: 2009 Octavius Tower to adjoin Augustus Tower. Michael Massari, VP Meeting Sales & Operations, 


Las Vegas, (877) MEET-702. 

The Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino New Facility Prime Exhibit Space: 75,000 sf Vertical design of steel and glass. Jennifer Herring, Director of Sales, 

3700 Las Vegas Blvd. South Meeting Space: 167,000 sf (702) 309-6303; jennifer.herring@cosmolv.com. 


50 Breakout Rooms 

www.cosmolv.com Completion Date: Q2 2010 


Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Prime Exhibit Space: 6,000 sf Prime Exhibit Space: 25,920 sf 75,000 sf new meeting space; 38,000 sf Morgans Hotel Group: 

Las Vegas Flex Space: 2,000 sf Flex Space: 57,500 sf pool area; five entertainment venues, David Sukala, Assistant Director of Sales, 

455 Paradise Rd. Meeting Space: 12,000 sf Meeting Space: 82,000 sf including The Joint and Wasted Space; (702) 693-4309; davidsu@hrhvegas.com. 

Las Vegas, NV 89169 3 Breakout Rooms 26 Breakout Rooms 1,520 brand new or renovated guest 

www.hardrockhotel.com/meetings Completion Date: April 2009 rooms. 

Phase: Construction more than 

50% complete 



IT’S ALL COMING TOGETHER. 

What will a $275 million expansion of the Indiana Convention Center combined with the new and highly 

acclaimed Lucas Oil Stadium mean to your convention planning strategy? Besides donning a dramatic 

make-over of the former Dome, our convention space* billows to over 3 million square feet. 

If your needs involve a lot of room, we’ll have it to spare. 

Nestled in the heart of Indys’ revitalized downtown, the Indiana Convention Center is connected by 

skywalks and within walking distance to major attractions, shopping, restaurants and hotels. So, whether 

you need space for 60,000 or a meeting of 10, if you like everything close by, look no further. 

By 2010, Indianapolis may be home to the most expansive and most convenient convention destination 

in the country. And as planning strategies go, ours is definitely coming together. 

317.262.3400 | www.icclos.com 

www.TradeShowExecutive.com Trade Show Executive March 2009 41 

*Exhibition, meeting room, ballroom and pre-function space.




NEVADA (continued) 

Las Vegas 

Las Vegas Convention Center Prime Exhibit Space: 1,970,000 sf Prime Exhibit Space: 2,039,000 sf $890 MIL enhancement program includes Chris Meyer, CEM, CMP, VP of Convention 

3150 Paradise Rd. Meeting Space: 243,000 sf Meeting Space: 296,000 sf grand lobby connecting the three halls; Center Sales, (702) 892-0711; 

Las Vegas, NV 89109 144 Breakout Rooms Completion Date: Phase I: 2011 new meeting room concourse; technology cmeyer@lvcva.com. 

www.lvcva.com Phase: Design and electrical upgrades. 

The Meeting Center at Echelon New Facility Prime Exhibit Space: 321,000 sf 750,000 sf meeting and exhibit space. John Lin, VP Development, (702) 888-8000; 

3000 Las Vegas Blvd. South Meeting Space: 435,000 sf Approx. 5,000 guest rooms; five hotel johnlin@echelonresorts.com. 


Completion Date: TBD; Construction brands; retail; entertainment, dining, 

www.echelonresorts.com postponed until economic factors nightlife. Half-mile from convention 

improve. 

center. 

NEW MEXICO 

Las Cruces 

Las Cruces Convention Center New Facility Prime Exhibit Space: TBD Groundbreaking expected early Will be managed by Global Spectrum. 

Las Cruces, NM Meeting Space: TBD Summer 2009. Kem Mompellier, Executive Director, LVCVB, 

www.lascrucescvb.org Completion Date: Late 2010 (575) 541-2444; cvb@lascrucescvb.org. 

Phase: Design 

NEW YORK 

Kiamesha Lake 

Concord Resort & Golf Club New Facility Prime Exhibit Space: 150,000 sf Site encompasses more than 1,600 Margaret Jackson, Manager, (845) 794-4000. 

Kiamesha Lake, NY 12751 Meeting Space: 60,000 sf acres of land and renowned “Monster” 

www.concordresort.com Completion Date: 2009 Golf Course. 


New York City 

Piers 92/94 Prime Exhibit Space: 210,000 sf Prime Exhibit Space: TBD Midtown location. Easy access from MMPI: Lorenz Hassenstein, VP & General Manager, 

(formerly The UnConvention Center) Meeting Space: None Meeting Space: TBD highway. Ample parking. Unobstructed (800) 677-6278; lhassenstein@mmart.com. 

711 12th Ave., Pier 94/92 Completion Date: TBD exhibit space. Jennel Davis, (646) 778-3211; 

New York, NY 10019 

jdavis@mmart.com. 

www.piers9294.com 

NORTH CAROLINA 

Charlotte 

Charlotte Convention Center Prime Exhibit Space: 280,000 sf Prime Exhibit Space: TBD The NASCAR Hall of Fame will Jeff Hewitt, Senior Director of Sales, 

501 S. College St. Meeting Space: 90,000 sf Meeting Space: 40,000+ sf connect via a convenient over-street Visit Charlotte, (704) 334-2282; 

Charlotte, NC 28202 46 Breakout Rooms Completion Date: Early 2010 walkway. The new ballroom will jeff.hewitt@visitcharlotte.com. 

www.charlotteconventionctr.com Phase: Construction provide the center’s same awardwinning 

food service. 

Wilmington 

Wilmington Convention Center New Facility Prime Exhibit Space: 30,000 sf 12,000 sf ballroom. Adjacent 157- Wilmington/Cape Fear Coast Convention and 

Wilmington, NC Meeting Space: 1,800 sf room Hotel Indigo will also be built. and Visitors Bureau, (910) 341-4030; 

www.ci.wilmington.nc.us Completion Date: Early 2010 visit@capefearcoast.com. 


OHIO 

Cleveland 

Cleveland Medical Mart & Trade New Facility Prime Exhibit Space: TBD Kelly Brewer, Vice President, Sales, 

Show Facility Prime Exhibit Space at Existing Meeting Space: TBD (216) 875-6610; 

(at site of Cleveland Convention Center) Center: 375,000 sf Phase: Design kbrewer@positivelycleveland.com. 

500 Lakeside Ave. E Meeting Space at Existing Chris Ludwig, Sales Administrator, 

Cleveland, OH 44114 Center: 37,000 sf Meetings + Conventions, (216) 875-6629; 

www.positivelycleveland.com/medicalmart 21 Breakout Rooms at Center cludwig@positivelycleveland.com. 

Columbus 

Greater Columbus Convention Center Prime Exhibit Space: 426,000 sf Prime Exhibit Space: 336,000 sf 90,000 sf Battelle Hall will be Craig Liston, SMG Regional Manager, 

400 N. High St. Meeting Space: 99,410 sf Meeting Space: 99,410 sf converted into ballroom space. (614) 827-2500. 

Columbus, OH 43215 61 Breakout Rooms Completion Date: Dec. 2009 Connected to four hotels by covered Sherry Chambers, Senior Director of Sales, 

www.columbusconventions.com walkway; close to airport. (800) 626-0241; schambers@ 

columbusconventions.com. 



Holding your meeting in Irving, Texas gives you three cities for the price of one! 

Located right between Dallas and Fort Worth, it’s just minutes from DFW International 

Airport, and a short drive to an amazing array of options for dining, shopping, sports, 

and culture. Irving boasts more than 11,000 modern hotel rooms, ranging from 

extravagant to efficient, most with weekend rates that let you stretch your budget. 

Still borderline? Call our award-winning team at 1.800.247.8464 or visit our 

website at www.irvingtexas.com. You’ll be amazed at what’s waiting for you within 

our cities’ limits. Irving, Texas: In Between and Far Above! 

| 1. 800 . 2 . IRVING | www.irvingtexas.com |




OHIO (continued) 

Toledo 

SeaGate Convention Centre/ New Facility (arena) Prime Exhibit Space: New arena will have 17,000 sf floor SeaGate is managed by SMG. Steve Miller, 

Lucas County Arena Prime Exhibit Space at SeaGate: 75,000 sf (SeaGate) space and 7,500 fixed seats. General Manager, (419) 255-3300; 

401 Jefferson Ave. 75,000 sf 35,000 sf (arena) smiller@meettoledo.org. 

Toledo, OH 43604 Meeting Space at SeaGate: Completion Date: Oct. 2009 Carol DuPuis, Director of Sales, 

www.toledo-seagate.com/ 13,000 sf Phase: Construction (419) 255-3300 x5021; 

www.lucascountyarena.com 22 Breakout Rooms at SeaGate cdupuis@meettoledo.org. 

OKLAHOMA 

Tulsa 

Tulsa Convention Center Prime Exhibit Space: 102,600 sf Prime Exhibit Space: 102,600 sf Renovation and new 30,000 sf ballroom SMG: Kathy Tinker, Director of 

100 Civic Center 23 Breakout Rooms 35 Breakout Rooms with seven adjacent breakouts and Convention Sales & Marketing, (800) 596-7177; 

Tulsa, OK 74103 Completion Date: Jan. 2010 13,625 sf pre-function space. ktinker@smgtulsa.com. 

www.tulsaconvention.com 


PENNSYLVANIA 

Lancaster 

Lancaster Convention Center New Facility Prime Exhibit Space: 46,395 sf 8,483 sf ballroom. Adjacent 300- Mark Moosic, General Manager, 

25 South Queen St. Meeting Space: 21,846 sf room Marriott hotel under (717) 399-7630; mark.moosic@ihrco.com. 

Lancaster, PA 17602 Completion Date: April 21, 2009 construction for completion in Joshua Nowak, Director of Sales, 

www.lccca.com Phase: Construction more than March 2009. (717) 239-1601; josh.nowak@ihrco.com. 

50% complete 

Philadelphia 

Pennsylvania Convention Center Prime Exhibit Space: 440,000 sf Prime Exhibit Space: 700,000 sf Downtown location; walking distance to Stephanie Boyd, VP Sales, Marketing & 

1101 Arch St. Meeting Space: 90,000 sf Meeting Space: 162,000 sf hotels, attractions, shopping; high- Customer Relations, (215) 418-4759; 

Philadelphia, PA 19107 52 Breakout Rooms 87 Breakout Rooms speed Internet access with free WiFi sboyd@paconvention.com. 

www.paconvention.com Completion Date: 2010 in public concourses. 


TEXAS 

Irving 

Irving Convention Center New Facility Prime Exhibit Space: 50,000 sf 20,000 sf ballroom; 20,000 sf breakout SMG: Gregg Caren, SMG, 

500 W. Las Colinas Blvd. See 20 Breakout Rooms space. Second phase to include (215) 592-7476; gcaren@smgworld.com. 

Irving, TX 75039 our ad on Completion Date: Nov. 2010 entertainment, restaurants, retail, Cyndi Golden, Asst. Executive Director/Sales, 

www.irvingtexas.com page 43 Phase: Groundbreaking cinema and hotel. Irving CVB, (972) 252-7476; cgolden@irvingtexas.com. 

San Antonio 

JW Marriott San Antonio Hill New Facility Prime Exhibit Space: 40,000 sf 1,002 rooms; 140,000+ sf customizable Mike Kass, Director of Sales & Marketing, 

Country Resort & Spa Meeting Space: 100,000+ sf indoor space, including 40,000 sf grand (210) 403-3434; Mike.Kass@marriott.com. 

1717 N. Loop 1604 East, Ste. 310 19 Breakout Rooms ballroom, 21,000 sf junior ballroom and 

San Antonio, TX 78232 Completion Date: March 2010 three outdoor event venues. 

www.jwsanantonio.com 


UTAH 

Pleasant Grove 

Embassy Suites Pleasant Grove New Facility Prime Exhibit Space: TBD 100,000 gsf. Luxury facilities include John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts: 

Hotel, Convention Center & Spa Meeting Space: TBD 300-suite hotel with panoramic. Stacy Polk, Director of Sales, 

1062 S. Embassy Grove Blvd. Completion Date: Summer 2011 views of mountains and Utah Lake. (214) 383-1151; stacy.polk@jqh.com. 

Pleasant Grove, UT 84062 

Phase: Groundbreaking 

www.jghotels.com 




CANADA 

Alberta/Calgary 

Calgary Stampede Park Prime Exhibit Space: 330,000 sf Prime Exhibit Space: 380,000 sf Located at the edge of downtown Calgary, Orest Iwanylo, Facilities Marketing 

1410 Olympic Way SE Meeting Space: 20,000 sf Meeting Space: 22,000 sf Stampede Park hosts over 900 events per Manager, (403) 261-0216; 

Calgary, AB T2G 2W1 16 Breakout Rooms 20 Breakout Rooms year, including trade and consumer shows, oiwanylo@calgarystampede.com. 

www.stampedevenues.com Completion Date: Aug. 2009 meetings, special events, banquets, 

Phase: Groundbreaking concerts and sporting events. 

Alberta/Edmonton 

Northlands Prime Exhibit Space: 305,074 sf Prime Exhibit Space: 522,000 sf 522,000 sf contiguous space. State-of-the- Trent Evans, Trade & Consumer 

Box 1480 Meeting Space: 8,000 sf Meeting Space: 20,000 sf art technology. Modern conference center Show Manager, (780) 471-7128; 

Edmonton, AB T5J 2N5 4 Breakout Rooms See 25 Breakout Rooms with 16,545 sf ballroom and outdoor patio. tevans@northlands.com. 

www.northlands.com our ad on Completion Date: Dec. 2009 

this page Phase: Construction 

British Columbia/Vancouver 

Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre Prime Exhibit Space: 91,000 sf Prime Exhibit Space: 316,000 sf Walk to 13,000+ hotel rooms; Lynn Menzies, Sales Manager, 

999 Canada Pl., Ste. 200 Meeting Space: 25,000 sf Meeting Space: 86,000 sf restaurants; shopping. (604) 647-7345; lmenzies@vcec.ca. 

Vancouver, BC V6C 3C1 20 Breakout Rooms Completion Date: Spring 2009 

www.vcec.ca 


Ontario/Niagara Falls 

Niagara Convention & Civic Centre New Facility Prime Exhibit Space: 80,000 sf Includes 1,023-seat theater; LEED Kerry Painter, President/General Manager, 

6380 Fallsview Blvd., Ste. 202 Flex Space: 26,000 sf Silver construction; glass front; located (905) 357-6222; kpainter@fallsconventions.com. 

Niagara Falls, ON L26 7Y6 Meeting Space: approx. 10,500 sf in vibrant Fallsview District, blocks from 

www.fallsconventions.com Completion Date: Spring 2011 16,000 upscale hotel rooms. 

Phase: Design 


project preview 

Opening fall 2009 Northlands will add 200,000 sq. ft. of new trade and consumer 

show space plus the ultimate in conference, meeting and catering facilities providing 

you with a total of over 500,000 sq. ft. of contiguous show space. Any event, any time, 

we are ready for your business. 

Trent Evans, Senior Manager-Sales at (780) 471-7128 or tevans@northlands.com 

Heather Peckitt, Conference Sales Manager, at (780) 471-7327 or hpeckitt@northlands.com 

www.northlands.com 





CANADA (Continued) 

Ontario/Ottawa 

Ottawa Convention Centre New Facility (former Prime Exhibit Space: 56,000 sf 14,000 sf ballroom, designed for Patrick Kelly, President, (613) 563-1984; 

55 Colonel By Drive building demolished) Flex Space: 192,000 sf LEED Silver Certification. Sweeping pkelly@ottawaconventioncentre.com. 

Ottawa, ON K1N 9J2 Meeting Space: 114,000 sf window façade. Andrew Beattie, Director of Sales, (613) 563-1984; 

www.ottawaconventioncentre.com 29 Breakout Rooms abeattie@ottawaconventioncentre.com. 

Phase: Groundbreaking 

Completion Date: April 2011 

Ontario/Toronto 

Allstream Centre at Exhibition Place Prime Exhibit Space: 1,000,000 sf Prime Exhibit Space: 1,000,000+ sf 43,900 sf subdivisible ballroom. LEED Silver Arlene Campbell, General Manager, 

(connected to Direct Energy Centre) Meeting Space: 25,000 sf Meeting Space: 30,000+ sf certification. (416) 263-3030; 

100 Princes’ Blvd., Exhibition Place 24 Breakout Rooms 20 Breakout Rooms acampbell@allstreamcentre.com. 

Toronto ON M6K 3C3 Completion Date: Fall 2009 Laura Purdy, Director of Sales 

www.allstreamcentre.com Phase: Construction more than & Marketing, (416) 263-3020; 

50% complete lpurdy@allstreamcentre.com. 

Saskatchawan/Regina 

Evraz Place Prime Exhibit Space: 270,000 sf Prime Exhibit Space: TBD Project will add a 278,000 sf multi- Mark Allan, President & CEO, (306) 781-9200; 

1700 Elphinstone St. Meeting Space: 40,000 sf Meeting Space: TBD purpose complex and renovate the mallan@evrazplace.com. 

Box 167 Completion Date: Late 2009 Queensbury Convention Centre. Neil Donnelly, VP Sales & Marketing, 

Regina, SK S4P 2Z6 Phase: Construction (306) 781-9200; ndonnelly@evrazplace.com. 

www.evrazplace.com 

MEXICO 

Guerrero/Acapulco 

Expo Imperial New Facility Prime Exhibit Space: 240,000 sf Located in the exclusive Seyed Rezvani, Managing 

Blvd. Barra Vieja esq. Blvd. de las Meeting Space: 113,000 sf Diamante Zone of Acapulco. Director, +52 (744) 4621 357; 

Naciones. 50 Breakout Rooms seyed.rezvani@mundoimperial.com. 

CP 39931, Acapulco Diamante, Gro 

Construction halted; new 

www.mundoimperial.com 

timetable to be determined 

Nuevo León/Monterrey 

Cintermex Prime Exhibit Space: 282,876 sf Prime Exhibit Space: 282,876 sf It has 17 years of experience. Juan Gabriel Tamez, Sales 

Av. Fundidora 501, Obrera Meeting Space: 85,035 sf Meeting Space: 110,868 sf Host to some of the most relevant Director, +52 (81) 8369 6915; 

CP 64010, Monterrey, N.L. 19 Breakout Rooms Completion Date: Spring 2009 shows in Mexico. jgtamez@cintermex.com. 

www.cintermex.com 

Missing Something? 

Who’s Who Among 

Independent Show 

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Organizers • $129 

Have you misplaced an important issue of Trade Show Executive magazine? Is a co-worker holding on to your copy? 

Want to restock your library? You can easily order back issues for $14.95 plus $5 shipping and handling. 

A quantity discount is also available for orders of 10 issues or more 

To place your order or request an order form, send a fax or e-mail to Nicole Burnes. 

E-mail: nburnes@tradeshowexecutive.com 

Tel: (760) 929-9604 

Order 

Today! 



TSE’s Trade Show Locator 

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 95 of the most important 

trade shows scheduled for May. Each 

show is listed by industry category and 

contains both a wide-angle and closeup 

view of the event, the organizer, 

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

Advertising & Marketing 

ACCM 2009 

Penton Media 

www.accmshow.com 

ZOOM Presents the Leading Shows 

Coming Up in May in North America 

By Vince Battaglia, managing editor of ZOOM & Nicole Burnes, assistant editor 

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, 

email information on your show to 

vbattaglia@tradeshowexecutive.com 

and nburnes@tradeshowexecutive.com. 

Ed Berkowitz 


203-358-3702 

05/04/2009 

05/07/2009 

New Orleans Morial 


New Orleans, LA 

Vince Battaglia 

Nicole Burnes 

35,000 nsf 

200 Exhibitors 

3,500 Attendees 

Sponsored by 

Aerospace & Aviation 

Army Aviation Association 

of America - Annual 

AAAA 

www.quad-a.org 

Robert Lachowski 

Director of Advertising 

& Industry Affairs 

203-268-2450 x131 

05/03/2009 

05/06/2009 

Gaylord Opryland Resort 

& Convention Center 

Nashville, TN 

240,000 nsf 



Regional Airline Association - Annual 

RAA 

www.raa.org 

Agriculture & Farming 

Northeastern Forest Products 

Equipment Exposition 

Northeastern Loggers’ Association 

www.nefpexpo.net/ 

John Rubsamen 

Convention & Trade 

Show Manager 

202-367-1170 

Joseph Phaneuf 


315-369-3078 

05/18/2009 

05/21/2009 

05/01/2009 

05/02/2009 

Calvin L. Rampton Salt 

Palace Convention Center 

Salt Lake City, UT 

Bass Park 

Bangor, ME 

32,000 nsf 



NSF Not Supplied 



Art, Music, Culture 

SURTEX 

GLM, a dmg world media business 

www.surtex.com 

Penny Sikalis 


914-421-3297 

05/17/2009 

05/19/2009 

Jacob K. Javits 


New York, NY 

30,000 nsf 



Automotive, Trucking, Transportation 

National Private Truck Council - Annual Tom Moore 

NPTC 

VP, Education 

www.nptc.org/ 

703-683-1300 

05/03/2009 

05/05/2009 

Nashville Convention Center 

Nashville, TN 



900 Attendees 

Building & Construction 

K/BIS - Kitchen/Bath Industry Show 

& Conference 

Nielsen Business Media 

www.kbis.com 

Brian Pagel 

VP, Kitchen & Bath Group 

770-291-5400 

05/01/2009 

05/03/2009 

Georgia World 

Congress Center 

Atlanta, GA 

574,095 nsf 



National Hardware Show 


www.nationalhardwareshow.com 

Ed Several 

Group VP 

203-840-4800 

05/05/2009 

05/07/2009 

Las Vegas Convention Center 

Las Vegas, NV 

700,000 nsf 

3,000 Exhibitors 


Southern California Plumbing, 

Heating, Cooling Industry Trade Show 

PHCC Greater Los Angeles Area 

www.phccglaa.org/ 

Eddie Edwards 

Trade Show Manager 

323-913-7340 

05/16/2009 

05/16/2009 

Long Beach 


Long Beach, CA 




© 2009, Trade Show Executive magazine, Carlsbad, CA (760) 929-9604. 



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Computers & Software Applications 

Americas’ SAP Users’ 

Casey Allison 

Group - Annual 

Trade Show 

SmithBucklin 

Senior Associate 

www.asugannualconference.com 

312-644-6610 

05/11/2009 

05/14/2009 

Orange County 


Orlando, FL 

70,000 nsf 



Interop Las Vegas 

TechWeb 

www.interop.com 

Lenny Heymann 


415-947-6761 

05/17/2009 

05/21/2009 

Mandalay Bay 

Las Vegas, NV 

150,000 nsf 



IT Roadmap: Boston 

Network World, Inc. 

www.networkworld.com 

Dental 

American Academy of Pediatric 

Dentistry - Annual 

AAPD 

www.aapd.hawaiiconvention.com 

Debra Becker 

Director, Marketing 

& Audience Development 

800-643-4668 

Debra Gilbert 

Meetings Associate 

312-337-2169 x13 

05/16/2009 

05/16/2009 

05/21/2009 

05/24/2009 

John B. Hynes Veterans 

Memorial Convention Center 

Boston, MA 

Hawaii Convention Center 

Honolulu, HI 


60 Exhibitors 

500 Attendees 

14,600 nsf 



American Association of 

Orthodontists - Annual 

AAO 

www.aaomembers.org 

Pam Hoffmann 

Sr. Meeting Manager 

314-993-1700 

05/01/2009 

05/05/2009 

Boston Convention 

& Exhibition Center 

Boston, MA 




California Dental Association 

Presents in Anaheim 

CDA 

www.cda.org 

Debi Irwin 

Assistant VP of 

Scientific Sessions 

800-232-7645 

05/14/2009 

05/17/2009 

Anaheim Convention Center 

Anaheim, CA 

145,000 nsf 



Texas Dental Association - Annual 

TDA 

www.texasmeeting.com 

Paula Tait 

Exhibit Manager 

512-443-3675 

05/07/2009 

05/09/2009 

Henry B. Gonzales 



50,000 nsf 



Education, Training, Science & Research 

American Association of Museums Robert Jonas 

Annual Meeting & Museum Expo Director of Corporate 

AAM 

Relations & Sponsors 

www.aam-us.org 

202-218-7708 

05/01/2009 

05/03/2009 

Pennsylvania 


Philadelphia, PA 

40,900 nsf 



Biotechnology Industry Organization 

International Convention 

BIO 

www.bio2009.org 

Robbi Lycett 

VP, Conventions 

& Conferences 

202-962-9200 

05/18/2009 

05/21/2009 

Georgia World 

Congress Center 

Atlanta, GA 

195,000 nsf 



International Reading Association 

Annual Convention - North Central 

IRA 

www.reading.org 

Caroll Dunn 

Director of Professional 

Meetings & Conferences 

302-731-1600 

05/03/2009 

05/07/2009 

Minneapolis 


Minneapolis, MN 

50,000 nsf 



Museum Store Association Retail 

Conference & Expo 

The Laurel Group 

www.museumdistrict.com 

Camille Cimino 

Expo Manager 

303-504-9223 

05/02/2009 

05/06/2009 

Phoenix Convention Center 

Phoenix, AZ 

42,500 nsf 


550 Attendees 

Electrical & Electronics 

Del Mar Electronics Show 

Del Mar Trade Shows 

www.vts.com/ 

Julie Paulson 

President/Operations Manager 

858-459-1682 

05/06/2009 

05/07/2009 

Del Mar Fairgrounds 

San Diego, CA 






Visit www.SMART-reg.com 

or call (888) 999-9169 

We Serve as an 

Extension of Your Team 



Electrical & Electronics (continued) 

KioskCom Self Service Expo 

Lawrence Dvorchik 

& The Digital Signage Show 


JD Events 

203-371-6322 

www.kioskcom.com 


05/06/2009 

05/07/2009 

Mandalay Bay 

Las Vegas, NV 




National Electrical Wire Processing 

Technology Expo 

Expo Productions, Inc. 

www.electricalwireshow.com 

Cheryl Luck 

Sales Manager 

262-367-5500 

05/20/2009 

05/21/2009 

Midwest Airlines Center 

Milwaukee, WI 

27,000 nsf 



Financial, Insurance & Legal Services 

ACORD LOMA Insurance 

Ann Purr 

Systems Forum 

VP, Information Management 

LOMA 

770-951-1770 

www.acordlomaforum.org 

05/17/2009 

05/19/2009 

Walt Disney World Swan 

& Dolphin Resort 

Orlando, FL 

80,000 nsf 



Association of Legal 

Administrators - Annual 

ALA 

www.alanet.org/conf/2009/index.html 

Karen Cioni 

Manager, Exhibits 

& Sponsorships 

847-267-1374 

05/18/2009 

05/21/2009 




30,000 nsf 



CTST: The Americas 

SourceMedia Conferences & Events 

www.sourcemediaconferences.com/ 

Nicoal Crawford 

Director of Operations 

212-803-6090 

05/04/2009 

05/07/2009 




30,000 nsf 



Florida Accounting & Business Expo 

Florida Institute of CPAs 

www.ficpa.org/ 

Drew Miller 

Marketing Manager 

850-224-2727 

05/27/2009 

05/29/2009 

Gaylord Palms Resort 


Orlando, FL 

15,000 nsf 

Exhibitors Not Supplied 


The Money Show - Las Vegas 

Investment Seminars, Inc. 

www.lasvegasmoneyshow.com/ 

Aaron West 

SVP, Marketing 

800-226-0323 

05/11/2009 

05/14/2009 

Mandalay Bay 

Las Vegas, NV 




New Jersey Accounting, Business 

& Technology Show 

Flagg Management, Inc. 

www.flaggmgmt.com/ 

Russell Flagg 

President 

212-286-0333 

05/06/2009 

05/07/2009 

Meadowlands 

Exposition Center 

Secaucus, NJ 

15,000 nsf 



Texas Bankers Association - Annual 

TBA 

www.texasbankers.com/ 

Peyton Taylor 

Director of Conventions 

512-472-8388 

05/13/2009 

05/15/2009 

Henry B. Gonzales 



10,000 nsf 


900 Attendees 

Food & Beverage 

All Candy Expo 

National Confectioners Association 

www.allcandyexpo.com 

Theresa Anthony 

Sr. Dir. of Expo & Membership 

703-790-5750 

05/19/2009 

05/21/2009 

McCormick Place 

Chicago, IL 

127,000 nsf 



Colorado Restaurant 

Association WestEx 

Industrial Expositions, Inc. 

www.coloradorestaurant.com 

Linda Card 

VP & General Manager 

303-892-6800 x24 

05/12/2009 

05/12/2009 

Denver Merchandise Mart 

Denver, CO 




National Restaurant Association 

Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show 

NRA 

www.restaurant.org 

Mary Pat Heffman 

Executive VP of Conventions 

312-853-2525 

05/16/2009 

05/19/2009 


Chicago, IL 

622,011 nsf 



World Tea Expo 

World Tea Expo 

www.worldteaexpo.com 


Kimberly Jage 

VP, Sales & Marketing 

702-253-1893 

05/02/2009 

05/04/2009 

Mandalay Bay 

Las Vegas, NV 

35,000 nsf 











Government & Military 

DoDIIS Worldwide Conference 

National Conference Services, Inc. 

www.ncsi.com/ 

Ashley Altamirano 

Convention Services Manager 

888-603-8899 

05/17/2009 

05/21/2009 

Orlando World 

Center Marriott 

105,000 nsf 



Environment, Energy & 

Sustainability Symposium 

National Defense Industrial Association 

www.exhibits.ndia.org 

Dennis Tharp 

Exhibits Manager 

703-247-2584 

05/04/2009 

05/07/2009 

Orlando, FL 

Colorado Convention Center 

Denver, CO 

16,000 nsf 



Homeland Security S&T 

Stakeholders Conference East 

National Defense Industrial Association 

www.exhibits.ndia.org 

Carris Britton 


703-247-2573 

05/19/2009 

05/21/2009 

Ronald Reagan Building & 

International Trade Center 

Washington, DC 

5,500 nsf 

45 Exhibitors 

569 Attendees 

National Postal Forum 

The National Postal Forum 

www.npf.org/ 

Mary Guthrie 

Dir. of Marketing & Exhibits 

703-293-2313 

05/17/2009 

05/20/2009 

Walter E. Washington 



55,000 nsf 



Public Risk Management 

Association - Annual 

PRIMA 

www.primacentral.org 

Catherine Pawlowicz 

Manager, Meetings 

& Conferences 

703-528-7701 

05/31/2009 

06/03/2009 

Hilton Anatole 

Dallas, TX 




Statewide Training 

and Resource Exposition 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 

www.mass.gov 

Bill Funk 

Director of Purchasing/ 

Event Coordinator 

617-720-3329 

05/21/2009 

05/21/2009 



Boston, MA 

35,000 nsf 



Vermont Business & Industry Expo 

Vermont Chamber of Commerce 

www.vtexpo.com/ 

Antonia Opitz 

Director of Events 

802-223-3443 

05/20/2009 

05/21/2009 

Sheraton Burlington 

Hotel & Conference Center 

Burlington, VT 




Home Furnishings, Interior Design, LandscapinG 

International Contemporary 

Phil Robinson 

Furniture Fair 


GLM, a dmg world media business 914-421-3215 

www.icff.com 

05/16/2009 

05/19/2009 



New York, NY 

140,000 nsf 



Jewelry 

International Jewelry Fair/General 

Merchandise Show 

Helen Brett Enterprises 

www.gift2jewelry.com/ 

Dave Harrington 


630-241-9865 

05/16/2009 

05/19/2009 




68,000 nsf 



JCK Las Vegas 


www.jcklasvegasshow.com/ 

Dave Bonaparte 

Group VP 

203-840-4800 

05/30/2009 

06/02/2009 

Sands Expo 


Las Vegas, NV 

604,000 nsf 



Management, Human Resources, Networking 

American Payroll 

Yolanda Ramirez 



APA 

210-226-4600 

www.americanpayroll.org/ 

05/19/2009 

05/23/2009 

Long Beach 


Long Beach, CA 

50,000 nsf 



International Trademark 


International Trademark Association 

www.inta.org/ 

Tricia Simpson 

Manager, Meetings 

& Conventions 

212-642-1723 

05/16/2009 

05/20/2009 

Washington State Convention 

& Trade Center 

Seattle, WA 


80 Exhibitors 





Flexibility to Handle Your 

Unique Requirements 




Management, Human Resources, Networking (continued) 

Los Angeles Black Business Expo Harold Hambrick 

South Los Angeles Multi-Services, Inc. Executive Director 

www.blackbusinessexpo.com/ 

323-290-4743 


New York HR Week 

LRP Publications 

www.nyhrweek.com/ 

Nancy Sommar 

Trade Show Manager 

215-784-0910 x6231 

05/01/2009 

05/03/2009 

05/05/2009 

05/06/2009 

Los Angeles 


Los Angeles, CA 

Hilton New York 

New York, NY 

40,000 nsf 



12,500 nsf 



ProjectWorld & Business 

Analyst World 

Diversified Business Communications 

www.projectworldcanada.com 

Amy Ruddell 

Group Event Director 

905-948-0470 x236 

05/10/2009 

05/15/2009 

Metro Toronto 

Convention Centre 

Toronto, ON 


70 Exhibitors 


Manufacturing & Packaging 

American Industrial Hygiene 

Caroline Lacey 



AIHA 

703-849-8888 

www.aiha.org/ 

05/30/2009 

06/04/2009 

Metro Toronto 

Convention Centre 

Toronto, ON 

77,500 nsf 



Design-2-Part Show - Santa Clara 

Job Shop Shows Inc. 

www.designtopartshows.com 

Jeff Griffin 


203-758-6663 

05/20/2009 

05/21/2009 

Santa Clara 


Santa Clara, CA 

20,000 nsf 



Design-2-Part Show - Schaumburg 

Job Shop Shows Inc. 

www.designtopartshows.com 

Jeff Griffin 


203-758-6663 

05/05/2009 

05/06/2009 

Renaissance Schaumburg 

Hotel & Convention Center 

Schaumburg, IL 

20,000 nsf 



EASTEC 

Society of Manufacturing Engineers 

www.sme.org 

David Morton 

Sr. Show Manager 

313-425-3000 

05/19/2009 

05/21/2009 

Eastern States 

Exposition Grounds 

Springfield, MA 

150,000 nsf 



Institute for Supply 

Management - Annual 

ISM 

www.ism.ws 

Terry Pizzano 

Meeting Planner 

800-888-6276 x3012 

05/03/2009 

05/06/2009 

Charlotte Convention Center 

Charlotte, NC 




The Iron & Steel Technology 

Conference & Exposition 

Association for Iron & Steel Technology 

www.aist.org 

Geraldine Kane 

Advertising & Expo 

Manager 

724-776-6040 x639 

05/04/2009 

05/07/2009 

America’s Center 

Convention Complex 

St. Louis, MO 

62,000 nsf 



Northwest Facilities Expo 

Cygnus Expositions 

www.facilitiesexpo.com/ 

Lisa Nagle 

Western Region Show Dir. 

408-935-9048 

05/05/2009 

05/07/2009 

Oregon Convention Center 

Portland, OR 




PACKEX Toronto 

PAC-Exhibition 

www.packextoronto.com/ 

Thierry Quagliata 

Expo Manager 

416-490-7860 

05/05/2009 

05/07/2009 

International Centre 

Mississauga, ON 




RAPID Conference & Exhibition 

Society of Manufacturing Engineers 

www.sme.org 

Gary Mikola 

Business Dev. Manager 

313-425-3000 

05/12/2009 

05/14/2009 

Renaissance Schaumburg 

Hotel & Convention Center 

Schaumburg, IL 

16,000 nsf 



SAMPE - Baltimore 

Society for the Advancement of 

Material & Process Engineering 

www.sampe.org 

Rosemary Loggia 


626-331-0616 

05/18/2009 

05/21/2009 

Baltimore Convention Center 

Baltimore, MD 













Manufacturing & Packaging (continued) 

Southern California Facilities Expo Lisa Nagle 

Cygnus Expositions 

Western Region Show Dir. 

www.facilitiesexpo.com/ 

408-935-9048 

05/13/2009 

05/14/2009 


Anaheim, CA 




SPIE OptiFab 

SPIE 

www.spie.org 

Roberta Heart 

Exhibits Department Manager 

360-676-3290 

05/11/2009 

05/14/2009 

Rochester Riverside 


Rochester, NY 

17,500 nsf 



The Supply Side 


www.thesupplyside.com 

Kelly Bristol 


914-421-3228 

05/19/2009 

05/20/2009 



New York, NY 

8,000 nsf 



Medical & HealthCare Products 

AACN National Teaching Institute Randy Bauler 

& Critical Care Exposition 

Corporate Relations 

American Association of 

& Exhibits Director 

Critical Care Nurses 

949-362-2000 x366 

www.web.aacn.org 

05/16/2009 

05/21/2009 




120,000 nsf 



Abilities Expo - Southern California 

Abilities Expo 

www.abilitiesexpo.com/ 

David Korse 

CEO 

310-450-8831 x130 

05/29/2009 

05/31/2009 


Anaheim, CA 

35,000 nsf 



American Academy of 

Physician Assistants - Annual 

AAPA 

www.aapa.org 

Amy Phillips 

VP, Meetings 

& Corp. Relations 

703-836-2272 

05/23/2009 

05/28/2009 

San Diego 


San Diego, CA 

50,000 nsf 



American Association of Clinical 

Endocrinologists - Annual 

AACE 

www.aace.com/ 

Tina Kisner 

Director of Meeting 

& Event Services 

904-353-7878 

05/13/2009 

05/15/2009 

George R. Brown 


Houston, TX 


75 Exhibitors 


American College Health 


ACHA 

www.acha.org 

Susan Ainsworth 

Director of Member 

Programs & Services 

410-859-1500 

05/26/2009 

05/30/2009 

San Francisco Marriott 

San Francisco, CA 

25,000 nsf 



American College of Obstetricians 

& Gynecologists - Annual 

ACOG 

www.acog.org 

Victor Robinson 

Director of Meetings 

& Exhibits 

202-638-5577 

05/02/2009 

05/06/2009 


Chicago, IL 




American Pain Society - Annual 

American Pain Society 

www.ampainsoc.org 

Patrick Filippelli 

National Sales Manager 

847-375-4715 

05/07/2009 

05/09/2009 

San Diego 


San Diego, CA 

20,000 nsf 



American Psychiatric 


Exposition Management, Inc. 

www.psych.org/ 

K Klipsch 


314-994-9640 

05/16/2009 

05/21/2009 

Moscone Center 

San Francisco, CA 

750,000 nsf 



American Society for Aesthetic 

Plastic Surgery - Annual 

ASAPS 

www.surgery.org 

Linda Stanton 


562-799-2356 

05/02/2009 

05/07/2009 

Mandalay Bay 

Las Vegas, NV 

36,200 nsf 



American Society for 

Microbiology - General Meeting 

ASM 

www.gm.asm.org/ 

Carrie Morin 


202-737-3600 

05/17/2009 

05/21/2009 

Pennsylvania 


Philadelphia, PA 

50,000 nsf 





Visit www.SMART-reg.com or call 

(888) 999-9169 

We never 

miss a shot 

Providing Fail-Safe Registration and Lead Retrieval with 

Passionate Customer Service for over 24 Years 



Medical & HealthCare Products (continued) 

American Society of Colon 

Dianne Kubis 

and Rectal Surgeons - Annual 


ASCRS 

847-290-9184 

www.fascrs.org/ 


05/02/2009 

05/06/2009 

The Westin 

Diplomat Hotel 

Hollywood, FL 

25,000 nsf 

95 Exhibitors 


American Thoracic 

Society - Annual 

Talley Management Group 

www.thoracic.org 

Stacey Blackshaw 

Associate Director, 

Meetings & Events 

856-423-7222 x230 

05/15/2009 

05/20/2009 

San Diego 


San Diego, CA 

52,000 nsf 



Diabetes EXPO - Phoenix 

American Diabetes Association 

www.diabetes.org/ 

Mary Mendola 

Market Manager 

602-861-4731 x7098 

05/02/2009 

05/02/2009 


Phoenix, AZ 




Focus On Respiratory Care 

& Sleep Medicine Conference 

FOCUS Publications, Inc. 

www.foocus.com/ 

Robert Miglino 

Conference Chairman 

845-876-2936 

05/14/2009 

05/16/2009 

Disney’s Coronado 

Springs Resort 

Orlando, FL 




Heart Rhythm Society - Annual 

A. Fassano & Company 

www.hrsonline.org 

Warren Plank 

Event Contact 

856-232-2322 

05/13/2009 

05/16/2009 



Boston, MA 




Ohio Health Care 


OHCA 

www.conv.ohca.org/ 

Cindy Lee 

Membership Director 

614-540-1331 

05/04/2009 

05/07/2009 

Columbus Convention Center 

Columbus, OH 

118,000 nsf 



Primary Care Today 

Diversified Business 

Communications Canada 

www.primarycaretoday.ca/ 

Glen Chiasson 

Conference Director 

905-948-0470 

05/07/2009 

05/09/2009 

International Centre 

Toronto, ON 

22,000 nsf 



Police, Fire, Security & Emergency Services 

Border Security Expo 

Peter Cappiello 

E.J. Krause & Associates, Inc. 

Co-Director, BSE 

www.bordersecurityexpo.com/ 

301-493-5500 x3388 

05/13/2009 

05/14/2009 


Phoenix, AZ 

10,000 nsf 



Printing, Graphics, Photography, Publishing 

BookExpo America 

Lance Fensterman 


Industry VP 

www.bookexpoamerica.com 

203-840-4800 

05/28/2009 

05/31/2009 



New York, NY 

255,263 nsf 



LIGHTFAIR International 

Trade Show & Conference 

AmericasMart Atlanta 

www.lightfair.com 

Rochelle Burt 

Managing Director 

404-220-2200 

05/05/2009 

05/07/2009 



New York, NY 

170,000 nsf 



National Stationery Show 


www.nationalstationeryshow.com 

Patti Stracher 


914-421-3394 

05/17/2009 

05/20/2009 



New York, NY 

210,000 nsf 



Sign Business & Digital 

Graphics Show - Indianapolis 

NBM Shows 

www.nbmshows.com 

Laurie Thiel 

Event Manager 

321-454-3077 

05/28/2009 

05/30/2009 

Indiana Convention Center 

Indianapolis, IN 

65,000 nsf 












Real Estate, Business Opportunities, Land Development 

Atlanta Franchise & Financing Expo 

MFV Expositions 

www.localfranchiseshow.com/ 

Rick Brunsman 

Sales Manager 

407-310-4168 

05/02/2009 

05/03/2009 

Cobb Galleria Centre 

Atlanta, GA 




Houston Apartment Association 

Conference & Expo 

HAA 

www.haaonline.org/ 

Cara Johnson 

Assistant VP 

281-933-2224 

05/20/2009 

05/20/2009 

Reliant Center 

Houston, TX 




RECON - The Global Retail Real 

Estate Convention 

International Council 

of Shopping Centers 

www.icsc.org 

Phylis Peterson 

Director, Leasing Mall 

& Deal Making 

646-728-3800 

05/17/2009 

05/20/2009 

Las Vegas 


Las Vegas, NV 

976,000 nsf 



Retail Distribution 

Tobacco Plus Expo 

Reuter Exposition Services 

www.tobaccoplusexpo.com 

Susan Reuter 

President 

203-483-5774 

05/06/2009 

05/07/2009 




50,000 nsf 



Sporting goods & Recreation 

Club Industry East 

Zari Stahl 

Penton Media 

Group Show Director 

www.east.clubindustryshow.com/ 

215-489-9556 

05/28/2009 

05/30/2009 



Boston, MA 

27,500 nsf 



National Rifle 


NRA 

www.nraam.org/ 

Jeffrey Poole 

Director, Membership 

Programs 

800-672-3888 

05/15/2009 

05/17/2009 


Phoenix, AZ 

130,000 nsf 



Toys, hobbies, gifts 

National Art Materials Trade 


NAMTA 

www.namta.org 

Rick Munisteri 


& Convention 

704-892-6244 

05/07/2009 

05/09/2009 

Kentucky International 


Louisville, KY 

41,500 nsf 



Water, Energy, Power 

Electric Power Conference 

& Exhibition 

TradeFair Group 

www.electricpowerexpo.com 

Hunter Jones 

Show Director 

832-242-1969 x308 

05/12/2009 

05/14/2009 

Donald E. Stephens 


Rosemont, IL 

80,000 nsf 



National Association of 

Oil Heating Service 

Managers - Annual 

NAOHSM 

www.naohsm.org 

Judy Garber 


888-552-0900 

05/17/2009 

05/21/2009 

Hershey Lodge 


Hershey, PA 

30,000 nsf 



Offshore Technology Conference 

Society of 

Petroleum Engineers 

www.otcnet.org 

Sally Goldesberry 


& Exhibits 

972-952-9393 

05/04/2009 

05/07/2009 

Reliant Center 

Houston, TX 

566,640 nsf 



World Aquaculture 

Society - Annual 

WAS 

www.was.org 

John Cooksey 

Director of Conferences 

760-751-5005 

05/25/2009 

05/29/2009 

World Trade Center 

Veracruz, Mexico 

45,000 nsf 





Industry Events 

12 9 

By Nicole Burnes, assistant editor April 2009 

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday friday saturday 

1 2 3 

4 

Hospitality Sales 

& Marketing 

International (HSMAI) 

Affordable Meetings 

Mid-America 

April 1-2, 2009 

Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 


5 

Association of 

Corporate Travel 

Executives (ACTE) 

Global Education 

Conference 

April 5-7, 2009 

Marriott Wardman 

Park Hotel, 


LaBarre 

6 

New England Meetings 

Industry 

Conference & 

Exposition 

April 5-7, 2009 

Seaport Hotel & Seaport 

World Trade Center, 

Boston, MA 

Boston, MA 

13 

Aaron 

7 8 

14 

Patronski 

15 

Professional 

Convention 

Management 

Association (PCMA) 

Education Foundation 

Dinner 

April 15, 2009 

Hilton Washington, 


Canadian Society of 

Association Executives 

(CSAE) Brand Building 

Workshop 

April 15-16, 2009 

Toronto Marriott Bloor 

Yorkville Hotel, 

Toronto, ON 

19 20 

21 22 

23 

9 10 11 

Chicago, IL 

16 17 

American Society of 

Association Executives 

(ASAE) & The Center 

for Association 

Leadership Springtime 

Expo 2009 

April 16, 2009 

Walter E. Washington 

Convention Center, 


24 

18 


25 


Toronto, Ontario 

26 27 28 

29 

30 

More Details 

Hospitality Sales & Marketing 

International (HSMAI) Affordable 

Meetings Mid-America 

April 1-2, 2009 

Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 

www.affordablemeetings.com 

Event Management: John Spargo & 

Associates, Inc., (703) 631-6200 

Association of Corporate Travel 

Executives (ACTE) Global Education 

Conference 

April 5-7, 2009 

Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 


www.acte.org 

Event Management: ACTE, (703) 683-5322 

New England Meetings Industry 

Conference & Exposition 

April 5-7, 2009 

Seaport Hotel & Seaport World Trade Center, 

Boston, MA 

www.mpine.org 

Event Management: MPI New England 

Chapter, (860) 586-7572 

Professional Convention Management 

Association (PCMA) Education 

Foundation Dinner 

April 15, 2009 

Hilton Washington, Washington, DC 

www.pcma.org 

Event Management: PCMA, (312) 423-7262 

Canadian Society of Association 

Executives (CSAE) Brand Building 

Workshop 

April 15-16, 2009 

Toronto Marriott Bloor Yorkville Hotel, Toronto, ON 

www.csae.com 

Event Management: CSAE, (416) 363-3555 

American Society of Association 

Executives (ASAE) & The Center for 

Association Leadership Springtime 

Expo 2009 

April 16, 2009 

Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 


www.springtimeexpo.com 

Event Management: ASAE & The Center, 

(202) 371-0940 

Who’s Where 

n Richard Aaron, president of BizBash Media, will present 

“Breakthrough Concepts Changing the World of Meetings 

and Events for 2009” at HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings 

Mid-America Wednesday, April 1. 

n Polly LaBarre, innovation correspondent for CNN, will 

present the keynote presentation at the ACTE Global 

Education Conference on Monday, April 6. 

n John Patronski, executive vice president for GES 

Exposition Services, will be one of three honorees at the 

PCMA Education Foundation Dinner Wednesday, April 15 

in Washington, DC 


People 

Skip Farber 

Skip Farber and his son, Jason 

Farber, launched a new investment 

firm. Carlin Capital Partners will seek 

out opportunities in small and micromarket 

companies. 

Skip Farber spent 

more than 30 years 

in the trade show 

industry and led 

the privatization of 

The WSA Show and 

the sale of WSA 

Holdings, LLC to 

ENK International 

last year. He was most 

Jason Farber recently the principal 

of MCF & Associates, 

Inc. His 30-yearold 

son spent the past ten years in 

investment banking. Reach Skip at (818) 

379-1133 or skip@carlinpartners.com 

Frank Thorwirth 

was named chief 

executive of Messe 

Essen GmbH 

effective March 

10. He will replace 

Joachim Henneke. 

Thorwirth was most 

recently vice president 

global alliances at 

Thorwirth 

Deutsche Messe 

in Hanover and was previously based in 

Chicago as president of Messe Dusseldorf 

North America. Reach Frank at +49 (0) 

201-7244-0 or frank.thorwirth@messeessen.de; 

Joachim at +49 (0) 201-7244-0 or 

joachim.henneke@messe-essen.de 

Index to Advertisers 



www.atlanticcitynj.com . . . . . . . Cover 2 

Boston Convention Marketing Center 

www.advantageboston.com . . . . .p.5 & 7 

Daytona Beach Area Convention 


www.daytonabeachcvb.org........p.37 

Hyatt Corporation 

www.hyatt.com ............p.10 & 11 

Indiana Convention Center 

& Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, IN) 

www.icclos.com. ...............p.41 

Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau 

www.irvingtexas.com ............p.43 

Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center 

(Louisville, KY) 

www.kyfairexpo.org .......p.3 & insert 

Northlands (Edmonton, AB) 

www.northlands.com ............p.45 

Pasadena Convention Center 

(Pasadena, CA) 

www.pasadenacenter.com ........p.39 


www.PrivilegedAccess.tv . . . . . . .p.13-17 

Society of Independent Show 

Organizers (SISO) 

www.siso.org ..................p.47 

SMART-reg International, Inc. 

www.smart-reg.com .........p.48-56 

Donald E. Stephens Convention Center 

(Rosemont, IL) 

www.rosemont.com ..........Cover 4 


www.TradeShowExecutive.com . . .p.17, 25 & 46 

United Service Companies 

www.unitedhq.com . . . . . . . . . . Cover 3 

Index to Advertisers - Who’s Who in Convention Bureaus 



www.atlanticcitynj.com . . . . . . . . . . . p.28 

Las Vegas Convention 


www.lvcva.com .................p.30 



www.rosemont.com ..............p.32 

Greater Boston Convention 


www.bostonusa.com .............p.29 

Providence Warwick Convention 


www.goprovidence.com ...........p.31 

San Antonio Convention 


www.visitsanantonio.com ..........p.33 


The key to 

business success 

is no secret... 

it’s service 

At United, we feel so strongly about that 

very concept, we included it in our name 

United can provide cleaning, security and temp services anywhere, 

anytime and for any size event. 

Call us today and find out why over 1,500 hundred shows and events, 

dozens of hotels as well as public facilities each year use United 

Service Companies. With over 40 years of experience in the trade 

show and event industries, we are recognized by show managers 

across America for providing great service and for being cost effective. 

We understand your event has to be perfect. With United’s dedicated 

staff available 24/7, we are committed to the success of your event. 

Contact Richard Simon at United Service Companies 

(312) 922-8558 • rsimon@unitedhq.com 

United National Maintenance, Inc. • United Maintenance Company, Inc. • United Temps • United Security Service 


Stephens Center Rosemont, IL 

840,000 Sq. Ft. of Exhibit Hall Space 

92,000 Sq. Ft. of Flexible Meeting Area 

5 Minutes from O‛Hare Airport 

Easy People to Work With 

Low Exhibitor Service Rates 

Short Walk to Over 4,000 Hotel Rooms 

Smart 

New Front 

Entrance 

(847) 692-2220

TIM LESMEISTER - Trade Show Executive

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