Mid-Atlantic Region: Rich in History, Show Potential
Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 5/22/2006
From Colonial Virginia to Baltimore's oldest neighborhoods and cobblestone streets, there's no better place to visit than the Mid-Atlantic region for a lesson in American history. After all, the region is home to our nation's capital.
The Mid-Atlantic tradeshow industry does not necessarily mirror its historic appeal. In fact, outside of Washington, D.C., the Mid-Atlantic region does not offer any other major tradeshow city, at least not yet.
Tradeshow Week Show Directories Manager Dana Myers takes a look at the exhibition industry in the Mid-Atlantic states.
2006 projections- Exhibitions in the region are projected to use 17 million net square feet of exhibit space, attract 4.2 million attendees and showcase 45,000 exhibiting companies. Still, the region will claim only 3 percent of the U.S. market share of exhibit space and number of exhibiting companies, and a 6.5-percent share of attendees.
- The average tradeshow in the Mid-Atlantic region is expected to encompass 67,486 net sq. ft. of exhibit space and host 216 exhibiting companies, well below the U.S. averages of 108,752 and 336, respectively. The average attendance for a show in the region is expected to be 5,126.
- The average consumer show is predicted to occupy 129,077 net sq. ft., host 142 exhibiting companies and attract 78,207 attendees. Average consumer show attendance for the region is well above the U.S. average of 34,493, largely due to the Washington D.C. Auto Show, which attracts close to 900,000 attendees alone. When this show is taken out of the equation, average attendance for the region drops to 18,377.
- The average combination show is forecast to occupy 82,403 net sq. ft. with 228 exhibiting companies and 12,365 attendees.
- Just over half of the shows held in the region will be tradeshows. Combination shows will make up 25.2 percent, followed by consumer shows with 23.4 percent.
- Thanks to the region's medical corridor, home to an abundance of local associations and world-renowned institutions, the medical and health care industry is the leading industry sector for the Mid-Atlantic region. The region will host 26 medical and health care shows in 2006.
- The home furnishings and interior design sector comes in second with 17 shows.
- Tied for third are boating, and toys and hobbies, each with 12 shows.
- Washington, D.C., No. 10 on the list of North America's busiest tradeshow cities, is No. 1 for the Mid-Atlantic region. The city will host 77 shows in 2006, making up 35 percent of the region's total number of shows.
- Baltimore claims the No. 2 spot with 33 shows, followed by Richmond, Va., with 16.
- Washington, D.C., is home to two of the top three venues, the Washington Convention Center and the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, which will host 40 and 18 shows, respectively. The Baltimore Convention Center is the second-most-popular venue with 31 shows.
With eight shows, consumer show producer Royal Productions has the most shows scheduled in the Mid-Atlantic region. Events Management Group, Intl. Gem & Jewelry Show and J. Spargo & Associates all tie for second.
Seasonal changesAlmost 36 percent of the region's 2006 shows were held in the first quarter of the year. The second quarter was the second-most popular with 24 percent.
Looking aheadAlthough Washington, D.C., dominates the region's tradeshow business, Maryland and Virginia may soon be giving the nation's capital a run for its money. The opening of two new venues in Virginia in 2006 has added over 160,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space to its roster, helping to put the state on the tradeshow map. The completion of the new Virginia Beach Convention Center in early 2007 will add another 100,000 sq. ft., providing it the opportunity to accommodate larger shows.
Plans for a hotel near the Baltimore Convention Center — the Hilton Baltimore — have also been approved, which could help attract business to the city-owned venue. The hotel will provide an additional 62,000 sq. ft. of meeting space to the center's 300,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and 121,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. The hotel is expected to open in summer 2008.
| All exhibitions | Tradeshows | Consumer shows | Combination shows | |
| Average net square feet of exhibit space | 74,978 | 67,486 | 129,077 | 82,403 |
| Average number of exhibiting companies | 202 | 216 | 142 | 228 |
| Average total attendance | 8,721 | 5,126 | 18,377 | 12,365 |
| Ratio of attendees to exhibitors | 43 to 1 | 24 to 1 | 129 to 1 | 54 to 1 |
| Source: Tradeshow Week research | ||||
| Show | Site | Size (net sq. ft.) |
| AAOS Annual Meeting | Washington CC | 254,600 |
| Assn. of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting | Washington CC | 229,690 |
| WEFTEC.05 | Washington CC | 213,950 |
| Natural Products Expo East/Organic Products Expo-BioFach America | Washington CC | 169,000 |
| FOSE | Washington CC | 166,975 |
| Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show | Baltimore CC | 151,200 |
| Source: 2006 Tradeshow Week 200 CC=convention center | ||
| Sector | Total number of shows |
| Medical and health care | 26 |
| Home furnishings and interior design | 17 |
| Boats | 12 |
| Toys and hobbies | 12 |
| Military | 10 |
| Education | 8 |
| Automotive and trucking | 7 |
| Gifts | 7 |
| Jewelry | 7 |
| Computers and computer applications | 6 |
| Source: Tradeshow Week research | |
| City | Total number of shows |
| Washington, D.C. | 77 |
| Baltimore | 33 |
| Richmond, Va. | 16 |
| Chantilly, Va. | 15 |
| Timonium, Md. | 8 |
| Virginia Beach, Va. | 8 |
| Hampton, Va. | 7 |
| Ocean City, Md. | 6 |
| Arlington, Va. | 5 |
| Norfolk, Va. | 3 |
| Charleston, W.Va. | 3 |
| Source: Tradeshow Week research | |
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