CHICAGO – Robust, across-the-board increases in February has put 2019 squarely in the black, according to the latest figures from
Trade Show Executive’s (TSE) Dashboard of Trade Show Metrics.
Despite the month starting out with record-setting cold weather across much of the U.S., February’s numbers were hot, with a 3% growth rate in two of the three metrics. Exhibit space jumped 2.9%, attendance rose 3.1%, and exhibitors increased 0.3%.
The prior year, in February 2018, exhibitors sunk 2.6%, while exhibit space grew by 3.8% and attendance by 0.4%.
Of the 25 shows included in February’s metrics, eight grew in all three metrics, while six declined across the board.
Some notable numbers from February:
- Bucking the housing industry’s slump, the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders Show had its largest show in a decade, with 609,261 nsf of exhibit space, a 4.5% buildout from last year. While exhibitors dropped 4.1%, attendance soared 13.9%, to 80,431. The show was part of Design & Construction Week in Las Vegas, that included a stellar Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) where registration spiked 30% over the previous year.
- Double-digit increases were recorded at the National Grocers Association (NGA) Show, held for the first time in San Diego and run by Clarion UX. Exhibit space was up 22.2%, and attendance grew 16.7%. A staggering 45% of the 2020 show was already booked by the time the show ended.
- The Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE2019) tried some new things and it paid off, likely keeping them on the Fastest 50 list for another year. They switched to a three-day format, launched a hosted-buyer program, and expanded its exhibit floor. Attendance rose 36.6%.
- Record-setting numbers were posted at the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), which included the co-located Latin American Poultry Summit. Attendance hit an all-time high 32,931, a 5.2% increase, as did the number of international visitors (8,315). The exhibit floor expanded 15.4% to 600,732 nsf, and the number of exhibitors jumped 17%.
The top cities for February were Las Vegas, followed by Atlanta, and running a close third, Anaheim.
Looking ahead to May, the Offshore Technology Conference will mark its 50th edition, and the National Restaurant Show will celebrate its 100th year with a new management structure. The National Restaurant Association struck an equity partnership deal with Winsight LLC which will assume operational control. In other management changes, Informa’s Senior Vice President Dan Darby will manage the LIGHTFAIR International show in Philadelphia. Read more about the equity partnership between Winsight LLC and the National Restaurant Association: https://tinyurl.com/ReadMoreHere-MayIssue2019.
Reed Exhibitions will launch product areas at the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas, plus expand the Antique & Estate Neighborhood Exhibit Centre at JCK Las Vegas, done with Palm Beach Show Group. Read more HERE.
