Green Launches Eco-friendly Show Mania

As the greening movement gains momentum, it seems like every time you turn around someone else is launching a green event. With so many hitting the marketplace, which ones will make it, and which ones won't? Here are just a few testing the waters:

Who owns it?: Bradford Rand, president and CEO

Date and location: April 26-27, The Hilton New York, New York City

Market: Eco-friendly products and services for consumers

Number of projected attendees: 10,000-25,000

Number of projected exhibitors: 230

Square footage: 75,000

Who's the show manager?: Annie Steinberg

Why do we need this show?: “For nearly every product or service there are green alternatives. Our goal is to introduce these alternatives to consumers and business owners intending on becoming more environmentally conscious.”

Her hopes for the show: “(That the show) shall educate its attendees on the increasing number of eco-friendly choices available for daily living.”

The show will be successful because: “We have set all the pieces in place to help forward the goal of a cleaner and healthier environment, one city at a time ...”

Who owns it?: Global Green Alliance

Date and location: May 15-18, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando

Market: Business executives and consumers

Number of projected attendees: 50,000

Number of projected exhibitors: 300

Square footage: 187,646

Who's the show manager?: Jim Griffith

Why do we need this show?: “This show is important because it (will) help bridge the gap between business and the consumer. It is the first of its kind to offer both a business-to-business as well as business-to-consumer focus.”

His hopes for the show: “For people to understand that going green doesn't mean sacrificing your way of life or spending more money. It means that you care about your environment, and you're making efforts to preserve it.”

The show will be successful because: “The entire community (business, government leaders and nonprofit organizations) has pulled together to ensure the success of this show.”

Who owns it?: Green Media Enterprises/EBITDA Media

Date and location: May 20-22, Los Angeles Convention Center/October 21-23, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York

Market: All segments of the green marketplace

Number of projected attendees: 3,500-5,000

Number of projected exhibitors: 100-200

Square footage: 15,000-30,000

Who's the show manager?: Diane O'Connor

Why do we need this show?: “We believe by bringing together all the major players and influencers in the field we can help speed the process of greening businesses, homes and local communities. ... There are a tremendous number of new technologies and applications being developed.”

Her hopes for the show: “We hope the show will not only grow alongside the industry, but play a pivotal role in facilitating that growth and development.”

The show will be successful because: “We believe all the conditions that make for a successful tradeshow launch are in place, such as timing, location, market conditions, demand and awareness.”

Who owns it: Hanley Wood Exhibitions

Date and location: Oct. 22-24, Austin Convention Center, Austin, Texas

Market: Residential construction

Number of projected attendees: 2,000-3,000

Number of projected exhibitors: 100

Square footage: 35,000

Who's the show manager?: Amy Allen

Why do we need this show?: “Green building and sustainable design will represent a $45 billion market by 2010, with 10 percent of all homes built qualifying as green. This is an important business opportunity for those who serve the residential construction market.”

Her hopes for the show: “… To be the primary event that residential contractors need to stay ahead of the curve on green building … to arm contractors with cutting-edge products, design and installation knowledge.”

The show will be successful because: “(It will be) different than other green construction events ... by delivering education and products geared specifically toward residential construction.”