Smaller Convention Centers Spice up Their Offerings
CONVENTION CENTERS HotSpot Smaller Convention Centers Spice up Their Offerings BY DANICA TORMOHLEN, editor-at-large HotSpot:Spot: Duluth Entertainment Convention Center Oceanside, CA - Looking for a North in Chantilly, VA, added 30,000 sf of prime American venue that off ers less than exhibit space, bringing its total to 130,000 125,000 sf of prime exhibit space? You sf. In 2012, there were 173 convention are in luck. Th e options abound in this centers in this tier, off ering an average category with 174 Tier IV convention of 79,931 sf of prime exhibit space. centers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico Smaller convention centers fi ll their off ering 50,000 sf to 124,999 sf of prime space with a wide range of statewide exhibit space. More than half (57%) of meetings, regional trade shows, corporate convention centers in the region fi t the events, consumer shows and other local bill, according to the most recent edition events. But most are looking to fi ll their of Trade Show Executive’s World’s Top Con- calendars with more national and inter- vention Centers (WTCC) published in June. national exhibitions that bring a higher “It continues to be a buyer’s market economic impact to their communities. for organizers with shows in this range,” For some, that means adding more said Maura Gast, executive director of space. “Our goal is to attract more national the Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau business,” said Johnna Boxley, general in Texas. “Th ere are so many venue op- manager of the Spokane Convention tions in this category.
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