Mid-Atlantic Region: The Nation's Roots

The states in the Mid-Atlantic region have a sure-fire tourist draw in their rich histories. These states can lay claim to many U.S. firsts: the first colony in what was then known as the New World (Virginia), the first state to ratify the Constitution (Delaware), even the first U.S. railroad depot (Baltimore).

At the same time, the region attracts its share of business travelers as well, particularly since Washington, D.C., the nation's capital, is at its heart. Here, Tradeshow Week Assistant Editor Candice Yang takes a look at the exhibition industry in the Mid-Atlantic region.

According to projections show managers supplied to Tradeshow Week, the Mid-Atlantic region can expect its 2008 shows to encompass nearly 18.1 million net square feet of exhibit space, accommodate 56,724 exhibiting companies and attract 1.8 million attendees.

The region's average tradeshow will have 316 exhibiting companies that draw 7,067 attendees to a showfloor that spans approximately 74,410 net sq. ft.

The average Mid-Atlantic consumer show will span 200,222 net sq. ft. with 236 exhibitors and 27,400 attendees.

Organizers expect approximately 3,978 attendees at the region's average trade-consumer show hybrid. They will comb through an average 52,000 net sq. ft. of exhibit space with 123 exhibiting companies.

The region lays claim to 2.6 percent of the national market share of exhibit space, a 3.6-percent share of exhibitors and 2.1 percent of attendees.

The average booth will take up 319 sq. ft.

The industries with the most shows in the Mid-Atlantic region this year are virtually the same as in 2007. The health care sector tops the list with 30, including the AACC/ASCLS Annual Meetings & Clinical Lab Expo (American Assn. for Clinical Chemistry/American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science), ranked No. 157 on the 2007 TSW 200.

Home furnishings and interior design comes in second with 18 shows. Third place is a tie, with the boating and the toy and hobby industries each holding 11 shows in the Mid-Atlantic region.

There are no surprises here, as AGI Events maintains its position as the show management company producing the most shows in the region, 12. The Intl. Gem & Jewelry Show (with six editions) and Gilmore Enterprises (five) come in second and third, respectively.

The year starts out strong in the Mid-Atlantic, with the first quarter hosting 39 percent of all the region's shows throughout the year. February is strongest with 30 shows, four more than expected for the entire third quarter, which will have a mere 13 percent of shows in 2008.

Our nation's capital is easily the most popular show site in this region, as Washington, D.C., anticipates 68 shows this year.

Baltimore, the site of this year's TSW Fastest 50 celebration in November, comes in second, expecting to host 40 shows in 2008.

Virginia gets into the mix with Chantilly and Richmond each holding 17 shows, sharing the third-place position.

The list of the region's most popular venues more or less corresponds to the list of its most popular cities. The Washington (D.C.) Convention Center tops the Mid-Atlantic list with 32 shows. Twenty-six of Baltimore's 40 shows will be held at the Baltimore Convention Center. The Dulles Expo & Conference Center in Chantilly will have 15 shows, as will Washington, D.C.'s Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

Despite the Mid-Atlantic region's humble share of national exhibition industry totals, the region's countless cultural, recreational and educational attractions should more than adequately continue to attract business to the area.

Projected statistics are voluntarily supplied by shows during TSW Data Book data collection and updated throughout the year as information becomes available. Shows submitting projections vary year to year, which may affect region totals.