What Makes a Tradeshow City Affordable?

Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 9/6/2004

According to conventional tradeshow wisdom, the one thing smaller, second-tier cities have going for them is that they're cheaper to do business in than the larger, first-tier cities. Digging a little deeper into that idea, one finds it's not as simple as that.

Most people in the industry find smaller cities usually offer better deals on hotel rooms and drayage. But first-tier cities can be more competitive on space rates in their convention centers.

Then there are the intangibles: Can Peoria, Ill., or Knoxville, Tenn., really offer attendees the excitement of a Las Vegas or an Orlando? On the other hand, would a modest association show, looking to draw exhibitors and attendees from a small geographic area, feel lost and forlorn in a McCormick Place?

So, what does constitute an affordable tradeshow city these days?

For purposes of comparison, we paired cities of different sizes in three regions of the United States, and examined the differences in cost and, yes, even some of those intangibles.