Michael Hart

Post-Katrina, Tradeshow Industry Does Its Share
August 29, 2007

Assuming this blog is not your only access to the world today, that you’ve read a newspaper or seen even a snippet of a television news show, you know this is the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The consensus message seems to be: A lot of rebuilding has taken place, but not nearly as much as should have by now and New Orleans for the most part remains a wreck.

Indeed, there seems to be plenty to complain about regarding recovery efforts. However, the tradeshow-convention-meetings business – in my opinion – has done its part. Certainly, there are shows and large conventions that had booked space pre-Katrina and then cancelled it, sometimes for good reason and sometimes just because organizers were not positive attendees would be willing to go to New Orleans.

Nevertheless, shows and conventions have returned, in some cases drawing tens of thousands of people. What’s more, as we reported in this week’s issue of TSW, industry associations have changed plans for their own meetings in order to help New Orleans. Meeting Professionals Intl. will hold its annual Professional Education Conference – North America there in January and the Intl. Assn. of Exhibitions and Events will hold Expo! Expo! there in 2010.

Posted by Michael Hart on August 29, 2007 | Comments (1)