That's Show Biz

 

The trade show business itself has become a growth industry. Exhibitors spent about $7 billion in 1980, and the Trade Show Bureau estimates that 1983 expenditures were $9 billion. In addition, the number of trade shows doubled between 1974 and 1982, rising from 4,500 to 9,000, according to the bureau.

The following is a list of the top 10 trade shows in 1983:

Rank Name of show Exhibit space Attendance Location

(sq. ft.)

1. Intl. Summer Consumer 736,000 83,311 Chicago

Electronics Show

2. National Hardware Show 660,000 73,676 Chicago

3. Intl. Winter Consumer 638,000 78,126 Las Vegas

Electronics Show

4. NHMA/Intl. Housewares 597,980 15,262 Chicago

Exposition (July) buyers

5. NHMA/Intl. Housewares 580,213 18,000 Chicago

Exposition (Jan.) buyers

6. COMDEX/Fall 560,200 83,400 Las Vegas

7. RVIA/Recreational Vehicle 491,126 9,899 Louisville

Industry Assn. Annual

National RV Show

8. MHI/Manufactured Housing 465,500 10,000 Louisville

Institute's Natl. Manufactured est.

Housing Show

9. Intl. Marine Trades Exhibit & 445,500 33,000 Chicago

Convention

10. Offshore Technology 431,525 59,986 Houston

Conference

Source: Trade Show Week