^{June 2003}

Who knows better than exhibitors which cities provide the best atmosphere for shows? After all, exhibitors typically have experienced a variety of cities and thus know the ins and outs of labor, logistics and ease of use firsthand. EXPO Magazine asked the Board of Directors of the Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA) to nominate their favorite cities based on the ease of use of the convention center, the skill and cost of labor, the affordability of hotels and restaurants, the accessibility of transportation, and convention center services. Here are the cities, listed in alphabetical order, that scored highest among these seasoned, well-respected exhibitors.

Anaheim
“Anaheim has a modern and recently renovated facility,” says Andrew Dudek, Exhibitor Consultant and Vice Chairman of TSEA. “Anaheim is a great location, and there are plenty of local hotel rooms.” The recently expanded Anaheim Convention Center offers 815,000 square feet of prime exhibit space, as well as new meeting and ballroom space totaling 130,000 square feet. There are 10,000 hotel rooms within walking distance of the convention center and 20,000 rooms citywide. The average daily rate is $109.94. Located in Disneyland’s backyard, the city is an easy drive from Los Angeles or San Diego.

Atlanta
Surrounded by the city’s attractions, the Georgia World Congress Center is located in the heart of Atlanta. The facility stretches over 3.9 million square feet, including 12 exhibithalls that offer 1.4 million square feet of exhibit space. Internet, phone lines, utilities and other services can easily be ordered from the center’s Web site. The city’s convention and visitors bureau is readily available to assist exhibitors with planning their stay in Atlanta — whether it be helping them find a hotel room or helping them arrange a VIP event. Other area convention centers include the Cobb Galleria Convention Center, AmericasMart, Georgia International Convention Center and the Gwinnett Center. There are 12,000 hotel rooms downtown and 89,000 citywide.

Chicago
New labor work rules have made it cheaper for exhibitors to participate in shows at McCormick Place or Navy Pier. Chicago’s rapid transit system and 6,700 cabs make getting around downtown easy. Discount shared fares are available upon request between McCormick Place, Navy Pier, downtown and Chicago’s two airports. McCormick Place is currently undergoing an expansion that will add 600,000 square feet of exhibit space and 200,000 square feet of meeting space to the facility’s existing 2.2 million square feet of exhibit space. There are 30,000 hotel rooms downtown and 80,000 citywide, with an average daily rate of $190.50.

Dallas
Dallas is the Southwest’s hub for business and finance, as well as a major exhibition destination. The newly expanded convention center boasts more than 1 million square feet of exhibit space and column-free exhibit halls. It was one of the first facilities to offer exhibitors wireless service. The exhibitor services office is available to help exhibitors understand and utilize the building’s many high-tech features, such as video conferencing, Webcasting, equipment rentals, dedicated modem lines and instruments, ISDN, DSL, T-1 and T-3 connections. Utilities ordering includes city permits and code inspections to make the process easy. The concierge team is also available to help exhibitors plan after-hours events. There are 60,000 hotel rooms available citywide, with an average daily rate of $139.08.

Las Vegas
Las Vegas offers three world-class convention centers in the midst of an abundance of entertainment venues for VIP parties. Each center has its own special characteristics. The Sands Expo Center offers 555,000 square feet of space in three exhibit halls attached to the 3,063-room Venetian Hotel. The new Mandalay Bay Convention Center offers nearly 1 million square feet of exhibit space surrounded by a tropical resort. The Las Vegas Convention Center features more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, easily accessible from the parking lot. “Las Vegas is a big draw for attendees, so we always seem to have good attendance at shows there,” says Deb Lang, Exhibit Manager for Wells’ Diary and member of the TSEA board. “I also like that it’s a right-to-work state. I can plug in my own lights and equipment and hang my own signs.”

New Orleans
The Morial Convention Center, just blocks from the famed French Quarter, offers 1.1 million square feet of space, including a 4,000-seat conference auditorium, state-of-the-art fiber-optic capabilities and 140 meeting rooms. Trolleys take visitors to most of the notable sites, including the French Quarter and the Garden District. Dozens of hotels are within walking distance of the center and the French Quarter. After hours, exhibitors can enjoy the spicy food and spicy nightlife that New Orleans has to offer.

Orlando
The Orange County Convention Center and Orlando/Orange County CVB offer exhibitors a number of special services. The bureau is available to help exhibitors identify ways to increase traffic at their booths, locate venues for VIP events and obtain temporary staffing assistance. Electrical, plumbing, lighting and rigging can be ordered on the center’s Web site. Orders placed 21 days or more before the show can save as much as 50 percent on services. There are 6,000 hotel rooms within walking distance of the convention center and 110,000 citywide. The average daily rate is $97.53. After the show, the I-Ride Trolley is available for attendees and exhibitors to travel down International Avenue and visit some of Orlando’s sites.

San Diego
Located in the heart of downtown, the San Diego Convention Center is easily accessible to area attractions using the San Diego Trolley. The city features 7,500 hotel rooms within walking distance of the convention center and 50,000 rooms citywide. The average daily rate is $155.60. The center’s views of the ocean and the city frame the facility’s 525,701-square-foot exhibit hall and 90,000-square-foot Sails Pavilion. Logistics are easy at the facility, thanks to 50 loading docks, eight direct drive-in access doors, on-site storage for empties, and multiple freight and service elevators. Nearby downtown offers several new hotels, major shopping complexes (Horton Plaza) and continuing renewal in the historic Gaslamp Quarter.

San Francisco
The 1.2 million-square-foot Moscone Center anchors the 87-acre Yerba Buena Gardens neighborhood, full of restaurants and museums. There are 20,000 hotel rooms within walking distance of Moscone. A new, free-standing addition to the convention center will be complete this spring and offers an additional 800,000 square feet of space, including 300,000 square feet of exhibit space and 125,000 square feet of meeting space divisible into 38 meeting rooms. “I find that when I’m exhibiting at the Moscone Convention Center, everyone has a common goal to make your experience enjoyable. So, you look forward to the next year,” says Scott Lee, CTSM with the Andrew Corp. and member of the TSEA board.

Washington DC
Washington DC has a brand new convention center, equipped with a variety of amenities to make life easier for exhibitors. Located between the historic Shaw/U Street district and the revitalized downtown district, the new center offers more than 700,000 square feet of prime exhibit space, 125,000 square feet of meeting space, a 52,000-square-foot ballroom and 44,000 square feet of shops and restaurants. Nearly 60 enclosed freight docks make logistics easy, and state-of-the-art technology amenities are able to accommodate the most tech-savvy crowds. The center even has its own Metro station, making getting around town easy.

Heather Kirkwood is Senior Editor of EXPO Magazine. She can be reached at 913-344-1376 or e-mail hkirkwood@ascendmedia.com