The ISA International Sign Expo 2017 enjoyed a record-breaking show in Las Vegas.

Held April 19-22 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, the annual trade show and conference for the sign, graphics and visual communications industry broke its own attendance records, with more than 20,500 industry professionals, including just under 600 exhibitors, spanning a sold-out, 210,000 square foot showfloor.

At the time of the show’s opening, dozens of exhibiting companies remained on a waiting list, hoping to secure their spot on a packed expo floor.

Last year, the event attracted 20,044 participants, including 566 exhibitors spanning 200,705 sq. ft. of exhibit space at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

In addition to overall attendance, ISA International Sign Expo blew past its educational event projections, surpassing previous records by nearly 40 percent.

Several co-located events also experienced record attendance, including the National Sign Research and Education Conference, which joined ISA International Sign Expo for the first time.

Sponsored by the Sign Research Foundation, the sold-out NSREC drew in academics, students, researchers, planners and designers, with attendance 220 percent higher than its previous record.

In addition, the XDP program brought in architects, designers, buyers and end users to ISA International Sign Expo while the ISA Elite included 34 young professionals in the industry.

“There is no doubt that ISA International Sign Expo is the only trade show that brings together the breadth of the sign, graphics and visual communications industry and those who influence it,” said Lori Anderson, ISA president and CEO.

She continued, “Every minute of the four-day education and trade show offered opportunities to make valuable connections, learn groundbreaking ideas and see innovative products and services to help businesses grow.”

Adding to the buzz on the expo floor were a host of product introductions, ranging from groundbreaking print innovations to the latest in workflow solutions and LED lighting.

“Getting to see these innovations in action can propel businesses and the industry forward,” Anderson said.

She added, “It is early enough in the year that sign, graphics and visual communications companies can capture these innovations to make 2017 one of their best yet.”

To capitalize on the show’s growth, ISA plans to expand the expo footprint for its 2018 event, set for March 21-24 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

ISA International Sign Expo ranks No. 112 on the TSNN 2016 Top 250 U.S. Trade Shows list.