National Association of Home Builders' Show Drops from Four Days to Three in 2013; PMA Also Cuts Fresh Summit to Two Days
January 31, 2012
When the National Association of Home Builders International Builders’ Show opens Jan. 22.24 at the Las Vegas Convention Center next year, it will run one day shorter, from four to three, than it has in the past.
In addition, the Produce Marketing Association’s three-day show will be one day less when that event runs Oct. 27-28 at the Anaheim Convention Center.
This year’s show, on tap Feb. 8-11 at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, is expected to draw 50,000 attendees and 800 suppliers.
The show is down from a high a few years ago of more than 67,000 attendees and nearly 2,000 exhibitors after seeing tough times through the continued housing crisis and economic downturn.
“It’s all about helping our attendees and exhibitors meet with each other in a much more efficient way,” said Mark Pursell, senior vice president of NAHB’s exhibition, marketing and sales group.
He added, “Tightening the trade show floor experience to three full days with expanded hours saves everyone money and results in a more productive experience for all.”
Home building isn’t the only industry looking to cut down the time they are gone from their businesses.
“We’ve answered the call of more than 90 percent of Fresh Summit Expo exhibitors who requested to streamline the expo schedule by eliminating Monday – which attracted only 34 percent of attendees,” said PMA Spokesperson Meg Miller.
She added, “This new modification allows companies to spend show time more effectively and efficiently and only reduces expo time by 1.5 hours.”
PMA's Fresh Summit and Exhibitor Advisory Committees, led by industry leaders from around the world, unanimously approved this enhancement in late 2011 and the decision was strongly supported by PMA’s board of directors, according to Miller.
Pursell added, “It’s a trend that professional convention and expo planners see in all fields – not just the home building industry. Attendees are eager to get back to their businesses and put the new knowledge about, products, services and management to work right away.”
Exhibitors will save money with fewer days on the showfloor as well.
“Dropping day four and adding an additional half hour to the schedule each day, allows exhibitors to save resources on an extra night of hotel accommodations, meals and other staffing and contractor expenses,” Pursell said.
Ending the show on a Thursday, instead of extending it into a weekend, also was something requested by show attendees.
“Surveys of IBS attendees tell us that builders prefer to be home during the weekends. Wrapping up the show on Thursday will allow everyone to do so – even those from the East Coast,” said Larry Swank, chairman of NAHB’s Conventions & Meetings Committee and a home builder from Mishawaka, Ind.
He added, “This is a great solution for all of us – and a way to stay ahead of trends in the industry."
Partner Voices
Overview:
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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
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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
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