LAS VEGAS — Since the emergence of the Omicron variant, trade show organizers have been closely monitoring early 2022 trade shows for indications of what to expect. So far, the news has been mostly positive, with some shows going ahead as planned, others moving to spring, and a few being canceled.
CES led the way and was followed by the PCMA Leaders Convening, which kicks off Jan. 9 at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. More than 3,000 attendees are expected, and a digital experience with 45 sessions and keynotes is expected to draw an additional 1,000. In a statement to members, President and CEO Sheriff Karamat, CAE, said, “Volatility is not new to us. In life, we must always react and never react. We have all prepared for these circumstances. That’s where we excel.”
“Our industry and our businesses can and will move forward. How we get there is up to us. Our audience needs us now more than ever.”
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Las Vegas will take another step forward on Jan. 18 with the opening of World of Concrete, which, like the other two shows, is taking place with a carefully crafted safety plan. Charlie McCurdy, president and CEO of Informa Markets, said he was “thrilled” that the company’s shows will once again be held in person. “We are moving forward with this event and many others in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East, Asia and beyond, based on our communities’ enduring belief in the value of the platforms we provide, and the need to reconnect and recover together,” he said. “Our industry has a great responsibility. We play an important role in driving the vitality of the global industries we serve and the regional economies that host our events.” Trade shows traditionally generate $325 billion in commercial sales annually for a wide variety of industries, and World of Concrete – one of our 400 market-defining events worldwide – had an estimated economic impact of $109 million in Las Vegas in January 2020.”
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World of Concrete isn’t the only trade show opening in Las Vegas on January 18. That’s also the day the SHOT Show opens. The show is on track to attract 75 to 80 percent of its 2020 attendance and more than 2,400 exhibitors.
“With the largest number of exhibitors in show history, our expansion to the new Caesars Forum, attendance growing by over 1,000 each day since the beginning of the year, and finally welcoming everyone back to Las Vegas, to say we are excited would be an understatement. This show has been two years in the making and we are looking forward to welcoming our industry back,” said Chris Dolnack, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer of NSSF – The Firearm Industry Trade Association. “We will have over 2,400 exhibitors at both the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum, spanning over 800,000 net square feet, making this the largest SHOT show ever. And even if some people choose not to travel this year, we still expect a strong turnout with current estimates of over 40,000 attendees.”
In New York, the National Retail Federation will be held Jan. 16-18 at the Javits Center. Susan Newman, senior vice president of conferences, is excited about the show’s pivotal role in her industry. “Retailers have safely navigated the pandemic for 21 months while keeping their doors open. On behalf of the industry we represent, the NRF is keeping its doors open and hosting NRF 2022: Retail’s Big Show in person,” she said. “The NRF is confident that we can deliver a safe and successful annual convention for all of our attendees who come seeking personal and professional growth through networking, educational content, and the opportunity to see and experience the latest innovations from the world’s leading companies.”
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Later this spring, another major trade show for the business events industry, IMEX Frankfurt, will make a comeback by announcing that it will resume operations on May 31 after two years of cancellation. The show has been moved from its original date of late April. “We are confident that a late May IMEX in Frankfurt will allow everyone to move forward and plan with certainty and confidence,” said Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX. “After recently enjoying a very successful IMEX America, we are fully focused on building a strong return for IMEX in Frankfurt; and we are also keenly aware of the need for our industry to come together and prove that business regeneration and a healthy flow of leads are not only viable, but closer than some may think.”
Contact Sheriff Karamat at [email protected]; Charlie McCurdy at [email protected]; Susan Newman at [email protected]; Carina Bauer at [email protected]; and Chris Dolnack at [email protected]