Making History: Where America Goes to Work

Jillian Dauer -- Tradeshow Week, 9/4/2006

With nine of the original 13 colonies within its bounds, the northeastern United States is home to many of America's most cherished landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, the Liberty Bell and first battle site of the American Revolution. Just as the region plays a major role in American history, it is more than a supporting actor in the tradeshow industry. Boasting two of the country's 10 leading tradeshow cities, New York and Boston, the northeastern United States makes its mark.

Tradeshow Week Senior Assistant Editor Jillian Dauer reviews the exhibition industry in the Northeast.

• In 2006, tradeshows held in the Northeast are projected to cover a total of more than 12 million net square feet with 69,000 exhibiting companies and 2.5 million attendees. The region holds almost 10 percent of the nation's stock of exhibit space, as well as 14 percent of market share in terms of exhibiting companies and 13 percent of attendees.
• The ratio of attendees to exhibitors at tradeshows is predicted to be 18 to 1 in 2006. Consumer shows will have a similar ratio of 14 to 1 while the ratio of combination shows will be much wider at 49 to 1.
• The average tradeshow hosted in the Northeast this year is expected to draw 7,357 attendees and 403 exhibiting companies to an 84,888 net sq. ft. showfloor.
• Estimates are that the average consumer show will occupy 126,435 net sq. ft. with 247 exhibiting companies and 35,103 attendees.
• At the average combination trade-public show, projections are that 12,964 attendees will visit 264 exhibitors across an 88,947 net sq. ft. showfloor.
• Tradeshows dominate the region with 53 percent of the events, as consumer and hybrid shows comprise 26 and 22 percent, respectively.

• Home furnishings and interior design is the leading industry for events held in the Northeast with 52 shows.
• Medical professionals can choose from 45 shows in the region this year, as the medical and health care sectors come in second.
• Since New York is known as the country's fashion capital, hosting shows such as Moda Manhattan and FAME, it's no surprise that apparel is the third most common industry for events held in the Northeast.

• With four TSW 200 shows and 16 shows altogether, George Little Management will produce the most exhibitions in the region this year.
• Following close behind with 15 events each are MAC Events and Osborne/Jenks Productions.
• America's Best Shows takes the bronze with 13 shows.

As more than 100 shows took place in March, more than half of the region's events were held during the first quarter. The second quarter had 23 percent of the events, while 12 and 18 percent of shows held in the Northeast will take place in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.

With the relatively new Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, the Cradle of Modern America rocked the tradeshow industry by hosting the ASAE & the Center Annual Meeting & Exposition in August. It will also host the TSW Fastest 50 celebration in November.

Plans are finally in place to expand New York's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and the region claims the country's first exhibit hall certified by the U.S. Green Building Council, the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Between these exhibit halls and hosting recurring shows such as the semiannual New York Intl. Gift Fair and Stanley Atlantic City, the Northeast remains a strong player in the exhibition industry.