Minneapolis CC Sees Increases in Its Consumer Shows

April 27, 2011

The first part of this year has started off on a bright note for the Minneapolis Convention Center, with several consumer shows scoring increases in attendance, compared with last year. The shows ranged from a 6-percent increase all the way to a 26-percent increase in attendance.

The shows that reported higher attendance were the Minneapolis Boat Show, Minneapolis RV, Vacation & Camping Show, Minneapolis Home and Garden Show, Twin Cities Auto Show and Northwest Sportshow.

Besides more people at the shows, they also opened their wallets once they were there on the showfloor and bought more than in previous years, according to Meet Minneapolis officials, the city’s CVB.

“Indications are that consumers felt more confident about their personal financial situations and came to these shows to make purchases that they had perhaps been delaying for the past few years,” the CVB officials added.

Jennifer Thompson, show manager of the Minneapolis Boat Show and Northwest Sportshow, said those two shows saw attendance increases of 26 percent and 14 percent, respectively, compared with last year’s shows.

“Boat dealers at the Minneapolis Boat Show saw sales at the show that they hadn’t seen in years,” Thompson said.

She added, “At our recent Northwest Sportshow, attendees were booking trips with resort owners again, the fishing tackle retailers had one of their best shows in years and boats and RVs continued to sell.”

Katie Smith, director of sales and marketing at the Minneapolis Convention Center, said, “After two to three years of staying in and saving, Minnesotans are ready to get out and do things. Consumer confidence is up, and attendance and sales numbers only reinforced this trend.”

Another sign that people are more willing to spend money is the Minneapolis CC also saw increases in retail sales, with sales up 11 to 38 percent, compared with last year.

These sales occurred in stores located within the center, such as Kelber Catering service and Dunn Bros. café.

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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