Southern Snapshot: Showing Off Its Charm
Jillian Dauer -- Tradeshow Week, 4/23/2007
When it comes to the Southeast, show managers have much to choose from. The region is full of hot vacation destinations. For organizers, going the family-friendly route of course means Orlando, home of Walt Disney World, as well as Tampa, Fla., which boasts Busch Gardens. Several musical hubs also reside in the Southeast, including the heart of country music, Nashville, Tenn., and the jazzy New Orleans. The region truly has something for everyone. In addition, the Southeast can accommodate shows of every size, whether they need the massive exhibit space and hotel rooms of Atlanta, or prefer a more intimate setting in Charlotte, N.C.
Tradeshow Week Associate Editor Jillian Dauer scouted the tradeshow industry in the Southeast.
Forecast- According to figures supplied to Tradeshow Week, 11.5 million attendees will view the products of 258,117 exhibiting companies over 129 million net square feet of space at the 825 shows taking place in the Southeast this year. These projections are up considerably from last year when 6.5 million attendees were expected to visit 210,240 exhibitors across 91 million net sq. ft. at 720 shows. These estimates indicate the region will be home to 42 percent more exhibit space purchased by 23 percent more companies and seen by 77 percent more attendees than last year.
- The region holds 20 percent of the country's exhibit space market share, 16 percent of exhibitor market share and 14 percent of the attendee market share.
- The average Southeastern tradeshow will span 163,046 net sq. ft. with 346 exhibiting companies and 7,057 visitors.
- The average booth will occupy 501 sq. ft.
- At the average public show, 37,800 attendees will walk a 221,095 sq. ft. showfloor visiting 318 exhibitors.
- More than 21,570 attendees will be drawn to the products of 224 exhibitors over 114,626 net sq. ft. at the average hybrid trade- and consumer show.
Members of the medical and health care community will be flocking to the Southeast this year, as it is the industry with the most shows (82) in the region. Since the region is home to AmericasMart Atlanta (Gift Mart, Merchandise Mart, Apparel Mart), it's only appropriate that apparel is the second most popular sector with 47 shows. Home furnishings and interior design closes out the top three with 45 shows.
Fashion queenWith 28 shows, the most of any other management company in the region, AMC/AmericasMart Atlanta is the leader. By producing home and women's shows throughout the region, Southern Shows receives the silver with 17 shows. Nipping at its heels is dmg world media, which will manage 15 events in the region this year.
Luck of the IrishThe luck of St. Patrick was on March's side, as 127 shows were scheduled to take place during that month, more than any other. February felt the love as 92 shows were planned for that month.
Add January's 84 shows and the first quarter is awarded first prize for having more events in the Southeast than any other quarter. Most likely in an effort to avoid the potential of a hurricane cancellation, the third quarter has the fewest shows scheduled.
Sunshine versus peachesAtlanta could be giving Orlando a run for its money. The city in the Sunshine State may be hosting one more show than Atlanta, but the home of CNN, Coca-Cola and this year's TSW Fastest 50 will see more visitors than its neighbor to the south. More than 1.2 million attendees will come to events in Atlanta compared with the 1.1 million projected to visit Orlando. The average show in Georgia's capital city will draw 10,421 attendees, whereas the average Orlando show will attract 9,470.
But life isn't all peachy keen in Atlanta, as the shows held in Orlando will be larger. Shows in the City Beautiful will span more than 22.5 million net sq. ft. with 57,517 exhibiting companies, compared with the more than 21.2 million net sq. ft. shows in Atlanta that will be covered by more than 46,500 exhibitors. The average show in the city will fill 175,040 net sq. ft. with 384 exhibiting companies, while 471 exhibitors will occupy 184,671 net sq. ft. at the average Orlando show.
Southern charmOrlando and Atlanta may be shining bright, but cities such as New Orleans, Tampa, Fla., Nashville, Tenn., and Louisville, Ky., are just a few of the region's fast rising stars. As their renovations, expansions and re-brandings continue, expect the Southerners to charm the exhibition business.
| Show (TSW 200 ranking) | City | Size (net sq. ft.) |
| NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention (Natl. Business Aviation Assn.) (8) | Orlando | 1,022,100 |
| Intl. Woodworking Machinery & Furniture Supply Fair - U.S.A. (14) | Atlanta | 851,520 |
| Florida RV SuperShow (17) | Tampa, Fla. | 800,502 |
| Intl. Lawn, Garden & Power Equipment Expo (21) | Louisville, Ky. | 751,900 |
| High Point Markets (Apr. & Feb.) (33 and 34, respectively) | High Point, N.C. | 582,784 |
| Intl. WorkBoat Show (154) | New Orleans | 172,500 |
| Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention (186) | Miami Beach | 145,220 |
| Source: 2007 Tradeshow Week 200 | ||
| 2006 Averages | 2007 Averages | 2006 SE Region Totals | 2007 SE Region Totals | |
| Shows | — | — | 720 | 825 |
| Net sq. ft. | 126,023 | 156,636 | 91,000,000 | 129,225,077 |
| Exhibiting firms | 295 | 313 | 210,240 | 258,117 |
| Professional attendance | 9,052 | 13,945 | 6,517,440 | 11,505,035 |
| Source: Tradeshow Week research | ||||
| City | Total number of shows |
| Orlando | 122 |
| Atlanta | 121 |
| New Orleans | 57 |
| Tampa, Fla. | 39 |
| Nashville, Tenn. | 38 |
| Louisville, Ky. | 35 |
| Charlotte, N.C. | 34 |
| Miami Beach | 32 |
| Lake Buena Vista, Fla. | 25 |
| Miami | 24 |
| Source: Tradeshow Week research | |
| Venue | Total number of shows |
| Orange County CC (Orlando) | 75 |
| Georgia World Congress Center (Atlanta) | 44 |
| Ernest N. Morial CC (New Orleans) | 30 |
| Miami Beach CC | 28 |
| AmericasMart Atlanta* | 27 |
| Tampa (Fla.) CC | 25 |
| Gaylord Opryland Resort & CC (Nashville, Tenn.) | 23 |
| Cobb Galleria Centre (Atlanta) | 21 |
| Gaylord Palms Resort & CC (Kissimmee, Fla.) | 20 |
| Charlotte (N.C.) CC | 20 |
| Source: Tradeshow Week research CC=convention center *Includes Gift Mart, Merchandise Mart, Apparel Mart | |
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