Winter Fancy Food Show, PCMA Annual Meeting, National Retail Show All Break Records
January 29, 2012
And the good news just keeps on coming, with several shows across a broad spectrum – from fancy foods to convention managers to retail – all reporting record-breaking numbers.
The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade reported that their recent Winter Fancy Food Show, which was held Jan. 15-17 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, drew the biggest crowds the show had ever had, with 18,000 buyers checking out the marketplace devoted exclusively to specialty foods and beverages on the West Coast.
The showfloor also was completely sold out, covering 206,000 square feet of exhibit space, up from 196,000 sq. ft. last year.
To accommodate the demand from exhibitors, NASFT added exhibit space that allowed 60 more specialty food makers to present their products.
“The numbers are strong and so is the spirit of innovation and creativity that are the foundations of the specialty food industry,” says NASFT president Ann Daw.
She added, “Our industry is showing renewed vigor.”
The Professional Convention Management Association’s annual meeting, held Jan. 10-13 at the San Diego Convention Center, also drew a record-breaking number of convention managers to the event packed with networking and education sessions.
More than 3,743 attendees, a record that originally was set at last year’s event in Las Vegas, showed up for this year’s PCMA annual event, with a 9-percent year-over-year increase in planner participation.
PCMA’s hybrid event also attracted more attention this year, with total hours spent in sessions increasing from 3,123 in 2011 to 5,123 this year.
"We're very fortunate our leadership feels strongly that the association has to be on the leading edge of meeting trends and that our members allow us to continue to take risks,” said Deborah Sexton, PCMA president and CEO. “If attendees leave here excited about trying something new - changing it up - that's what it’s all about.”
She added, “With the help of our on-site production partners Active Network, bXb Online, Experient, Freeman, INXPO and MultiView this year’s engagement numbers confirm we’re delivering an experience our member’s need and want both virtually and face-to-face. We’ve raised the bar and set expectations.”
The National Retail Federation’s 101st annual event - Retail’s BIG Show, NRF’s 101st Annual Convention and EXPO – also broke all previous attendance records, drawing a crowd of 25,500 attendees, compared with last year’s 22,500 attendees.
The show was held Jan. 15-18 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York and featured a 152,000 sq. ft. showfloor, which was 95 percent rebooked for next year’s show.
“The phrase ‘jaw-dropping’ best summarizes the overall theme of NRF’s 2012 Annual Convention, and there was a buzz in the air like never before,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay.
He added, “From President Bill Clinton’s inspirational keynote to the jam-packed EXPO hall full of the latest retail technologies, every aspect of the event was bigger and better this year.”
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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