Why Go to the Southeast?

The Southeastern United States may not scream glitz like Las Vegas or worldliness like New York, but many of the top tradeshows have found homes in its venues. Those on a rotating schedule make a point to stop by every few years.

Tradeshow Week's Vanessa VanderZanden spoke with several of the show managers who held large events in the region in 2003 to find out why.

Warren Sellers Show director, Intl. Lawn, Garden & Power Equipment Expo, Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center, Louisville, Ky.

"First, the facility is a quality exhibit space. No other has a 20-acre demonstration area on the grass. Second, Louisville is so centrally located that 60 to 65 percent of the population of our show only has to drive within eight hours to get there. Third, the right-to-work laws make the cost to do business so much less.

"I've done 25 venues with other shows and the Kentucky Exposition is as easy to work with as anybody else in the country. Most other venues are run by local government and municipal or quasi-governmental bodies, but in Kentucky, it's the state of Kentucky. They do a great job. The management is good there and they set up good people. Also, the hospitality people are friendly as heck."

Beth Robertson, Vice president, communication services, IAAPA Orlando 2003 Convention & Trade Show, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando

"Orlando is a really big hit for the location of the event. It's the theme park capital of the world. So part of it is the ability to visit and tour the multitude of world-class facilities in the city.

"Our exhibits are so large there are only a few centers that can hold us, and the warm weather of the region is absolutely a must.

"We find it's such a driving-friendly convention center, the way the convention center and hotels and sites are so close – it's so easy to get around.

"Last year in Orlando we had Cinterfest, the grand opening of the newly remodeled center, where they unveiled a statue at the end of the show. We worked so closely we were able to cross-promote the events."

Bob Xeller, Director of sales, Interwire 2003, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta

"We hold the show in Atlanta and have done so since 1981. When we began, we fit in the GWCC and when it began construction, we continued to grow. Going back to the '80s, there weren't that many centers over 100,000 net square feet.

"Secondly, Georgia is in a right-to-work state. We have a heavy capital equipment show and, in Atlanta, you can do just about anything you want except attach the high-voltage equipment. We can do what we want on the floor. In some other states, for every three people working on the exhibit booth you must hire at least one union laborer.

"We are unique in that, while we take up a lot of exhibition space, we have relatively few attendees. So it's important to keep the costs down.

"Atlanta itself is a growing city. It stays modern, and our exhibitors are accustomed to knowing where to go to eat and that sort of thing. The facility is constantly being remodeled and hotels have grown. The city treats us well after 25 years."

Mike Hutya, Show manager & vice president, Annual Natl. RV Trade Show, Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center, Louisville, Ky.

"It absolutely is the low labor cost. It's a very cost-efficient area. And it's nice to go someplace where they're happy to have you.

"Our exhibitors like the area. Unlike a major city, it's easy to find your way around town, and there are hotels and restaurants that cater to every pocketbook. You can get a good meal at a reasonable price and also pay more for a gourmet place.

"The airport isn't congested like LAX or La Guardia. Our exhibitors really appreciate those factors. It makes it easy to ship the product, because we have to roll it over the highway and the location has good access to several major ones. Also, there's little traffic. I never want to see a 40-foot RV rolling down New York City in rush-hour traffic.

"The parking fees are reasonable. We can buy the whole parking lot so our patrons don't pay to park.

"We have a good relationship with the city and the expo center. They help us to meet our needs. We're badly oversold and have to utilize the lobbies and ballrooms, which we can do in Louisville because there aren't other shows going on. They work with us closely, and are more flexible than larger centers and larger cities."

Jamie Romano, Tradeshow director, PMA Fresh Summit Orange County Convention Center, Orlando

"Honestly, it's predetermined several years out based on size, where we will fit. We rotate between four to five cities. (2003) was our first time in Orlando. We had a great experience. The staff was really smooth, on top of things, and the center was laid out great.

"Most of our members are based in California and Florida, and the location is a big draw. They were great with education as far as the meeting room staff was concerned. It was our highest attendance ever at this event - we're adding the location to our rotation."