Readers' Poll: Shows in the Mountain States
Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 3/21/2005
What is it about the mountain states region that sets it apart from other parts of the country? It has only a handful of sizable urban areas, but its natural beauty and rugged outdoor nature still make it an ideal destination for certain types of exhibitions. Contributing Editor Gary Tufel asked those involved in exhibitions in the region what it is that flavors tradeshows there. Which shows work best in the mountain states, and why? (Although Nevada is considered a mountain state, Tradeshow Week excluded Las Vegas from this survey, since the city is atypical of the other regional tradeshow destinations.)
"Boise is unique in that we don't have a large hotel with a huge ballroom, so most functions happen here at the facility. We're trying to expand, but for now our shows are mainly home and garden, remodeling and nursery shows. The fairgrounds holds sports, boating, fishing and other shows of that type. Next year, the World Potato Congress will hold its science and agricultural exhibition here."
Pat Rice, General manager, Boise (Idaho) Centre
"South Towne Exposition Center was designed as a public show venue, and because Salt Lake is the largest city for hundreds of miles, its shows draw from the entire region.
"For the Salt Palace, several factors are at work. Salt Lake City's downtown is very compact. We attract many meetings with a large number of female attendees, such as educational events and medical meetings for nurses and techs. The compactness of downtown, combined with the fact that it stays light very late here, particularly in summer, makes Salt Lake very safe for female attendees.
"In addition, three-fourths of Utah is state or national park, and our proximity to outdoor recreational areas makes us an ideal destination for tradeshow attendees who want to stay longer for skiing, rafting, etc."
Allyson Jackson, General manager, Salt Palace Convention Center (Salt Lake City), South Towne Exposition Center (Sandy, Utah)
"We do mostly consumer shows, particularly equestrian shows, but we do have exhibit space and mainly hold shows for crafts, quilting, scrapbooking, guns and antiques, but in particular crafts and scrapbooking. Those are the interests of the families and culture in this area."
Jennifer Graham, Director, Golden Spike Events Center (Ogden, Utah)
"When you do a health or outdoor show here, you always do well, but that also goes for time management events, which appeal to baby boomers. Our hunting and fishing expo and home and garden show both offer free admission and do well — they attract over 14,000 attendees each."
Tiffine Canepa, Marketing director, Casper (Wyo.) Events Center
"We're not really defined as regional anymore, since we expanded the convention center and a new hotel was built. We still do regional shows, but most of our business is national. Expanding our hall changed our dynamic: We now can handle 97 percent of the known exhibition business.
"Denver can also be considered both as a Midwestern and a Western destination. There's been a big change from when the convention center was smaller and attracting more local and regional shows."
Roy Benear, Vice president, convention sales, Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau
"The best exhibitions for us are those that are part of a conference. We've had a variety of trade and consumer shows here, but the main focus is on industrial, military and government shows. And although we recently held a food show and a snowmobile tradeshow, we don't concentrate on those types of events."
Cathleen Sparrow, Executive director, Ogden (Utah) Eccles Conference Center
"Because of Salt Lake's unique Rocky Mountain location, it has become a favorite destination for groups that have an interest in health and the outdoors.
"Salt Lake also has great luck with smaller to midsized shows looking for a destination that will thoroughly embrace them. Perhaps because we were a relatively unknown destination in years past, Salt Lake has become very good at attendance promotion and community awareness campaigns."
Mark White, Vice president, sales & marketing, Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau
"Two types of events stand out. First, one of our strengths here, and in our region in general, is consumer shows; we had a record year due in large part to the success of the consumer events we held in 2004. They do well, partially due to the current overall success of consumer shows nationally, but also due to the 'wide open spaces' mentality here.
"The second area is corporate events, especially high-tech corporate. Mountain area resorts already have high-tech infrastructures due to the logistics of simply staying in touch from remote locations. This makes it easier to attract and serve high-tech groups."
John Cook, President, Denver Merchandise Mart
| Facility | Location | Exhibit space (sq. ft.) |
| National Western Complex | Denver | 601,500 |
| Colorado Convention Center | Denver | 584,000 |
| Reno-Sparks Convention Center | Reno, Nev. | 519,700 |
| Salt Palace Convention Center | Salt Lake City | 365,000 |
| Denver Merchandise Mart | Denver | 269,000 |
| South Towne Exposition Center | Sandy, Utah | 243,000 |
| Reno Hilton | Reno, Nev. | 190,000 |
| Phil Long Expo Center | Colorado Springs, Colo. | 94,500 |
| Island Grove Event Center | Greeley, Colo. | 80,000 |
| Holiday Inn Denver Intl. Airport Convention & Conference Center | Denver | 70,000 |
| Source: 2004 TSW Major Exhibit Hall Directory | ||
| Dates | Show | Show site | Projected size (net sq. ft.) |
| June 6–9 | American Society of Mechanical Engineers Turbo Expo | Reno Hilton, Reno, Nev. | 40,000 |
| July 9–14 | Christian Booksellers Assn. Intl. Convention | Colorado Convention Center, Denver | 130,000 |
| Aug 11–14 | Outdoor Retailer Summer Market | Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City | 315,000 |
| Aug 11–14 | Fire-Rescue Intl. | Colorado Convention Center | 250,000 |
| Aug 25–27 | Health & Fitness Business Expo & Conference | Colorado Convention Center | 62,000 |
| Aug 27–30 | Denver Merchandise Mart Gift, Jewelry & Resort Show | Denver Merchandise Mart | 104,500 |
| Sep 8–10 | Fly-Fishing Retailer World Trade Expo | Colorado Convention Center | 60,000 |
| Sep 11–12 | Venture Out | MetraPark, Billings, Mont. | 31,000 |
| Sep 16–19 | True Value Fall Market | Colorado Convention Center | 240,000 |
| Nov 19–20 | Holiday Food & Gift Festival | MetraPark | 77,000 |
| Source: TSW research | |||
