Go West: More Than the Grass Is Greener

Jillian Dauer -- Tradeshow Week, 9/25/2006

Although it's possible to ski and surf in the same day in some parts of the region, millions of people visit the West Coast and Pacific each year to do more than relax. They go to conduct business, because a number of industries choose the area to hold their events.

Perhaps it's the weather organizers find so attractive, but an added bonus is the facilities that are working to become more environmentally friendly. Portland's Oregon Convention Center received its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, and Washington's Spokane Convention Center is in the certification process as well. San Francisco's Moscone Center has long been a leader in recycling and other sustainability programs.

Tradeshow Week Senior Assistant Editor Jillian Dauer takes a hike through the exhibition industry in the West Coast and Pacific region.

• Estimates indicate that events taking place in the West Coast and Pacific region will span a total of 17 million net square feet with 60,000 exhibitors and more than 1.8 million attendees this year.
• This edge of the United States possesses roughly 13 percent of the country's exhibit space market share, as well as 12 percent of the market share for exhibiting companies and 9 percent for visitors.
• The average booth this year will occupy 384 sq. ft.
• There will be about 11 attendees for every 100 sq. ft.
• Projections illustrate that the ratio of attendees to exhibitors at tradeshows will be 20 to 1 this year. The ratio for the region's consumer events is slightly lower at 17 to 1, while combination shows will see a much higher ratio of 39 to 1.
• The average tradeshow will cover 81,507 net sq. ft. with 294 exhibitors and 5,849 attendees.
• At the average public show in the West Coast and Pacific, 19,053 visitors will view the products of 266 exhibiting companies across 140,040 net sq. ft.
• The region's average combination trade-public event is slated to draw 10,793 attendees to a 174,955 net sq. ft. showfloor with 274 exhibitors.

• Hosting shows such as the California Dental Assn. Spring and Fall Scientific Sessions, as well as Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) West; Pacific Design & Manufacturing; Plastec West; WestPack and Electronics West and Automation Technology Expo (ATX) West, has made medical and health care the leading sector in the region with 76 shows.
• Taking the silver is the home furnishings and interior design sector with 50 shows.
• Nipping at its heels is the computers and computer applications industry with 48 shows.

• In terms of the number of shows managed, the top dogs in the West Coast and Pacific were all extremely close. O'Loughlin Trade Shows will manage 16 shows this year, the most of all companies in the region — but not by much.
• The Intl. Gem & Jewelry Show will produce 15 shows of the same name in the region this year, while NP Expos will hold 14 shows.

The first quarter saw the most shows in the region this year. The bulk of these were in March, followed by January with 80 events and February with 76.

While San Diego and its convention center will host 81 shows, more than any other city or venue in the region, Anaheim, with 41 shows, will host the largest show, the winter version of The NAMM Show. The state of California will host 75 percent of the events scheduled to take place in the West Coast and Pacific region this year.

Green is more than a color in the West Coast and Pacific, and it can be found in more places than just trees and grass. The region's convention industry is developing a reputation as a leader in sustainable practices. As venues become more environmentally friendly, the tradeshow industry does as well.