Las Vegas Shines at TSW Fastest 50

Rachel Wimberly -- Tradeshow Week, 11/14/2008 1:33:00 PM

With 12 shows on the list of Tradeshow Week Fastest 50 winners, Las Vegas had plenty of bragging rights at the Nov. 7-9 celebration weekend, held at the Hilton Baltimore in Baltimore.

Show managers representing the winning shows said that Sin City was a big reason for their success.

Archie Thompson, who is on the board of directors for the Assn. of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers and will manage its AWFS Vegas show in 2009, said the best decision the board made was moving the show from Anaheim to Las Vegas a few years ago.

“I think everyone was very happy,” Thompson said. “Being on the West Coast, the show was seen as too regional. Making that move made it more national.”

Larry Schur, president and manager of All Baby & Child/Schur Management & Consulting, which owns ABC Kids Expo, another winning show, also credited Las Vegas for his show’s growth.

“(The attendees) like the convenience of getting there,” Schur said. “It’s a popular destination for attendees because there’s a lot to do … gambling, shows and restaurants.”

Both AWFS Las Vegas and ABC Kids Expo were held at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Steve Walker, director of sales for the Sands Expo & Convention Center, said a number of the winning shows were held at his facility and agreed with Schur’s assessment of Las Vegas.

“I think (show managers) anticipate growth in their show both in attendees and exhibitors when they come to Las Vegas,” Walker added. “It’s an exciting destination that has a lot to offer.”

The Tradeshow Week Fastest 50 honored the fastest-growing tradeshows in the United States and Canada based on square footage growth from 2005 to 2007.