Events and interesting facts that have shaped the industry.
1915 – Panama Pacific International Exhibition ends
The Panama Pacific International Exhibition, which started on February 20, 1915, ended on December 4 that same year. It was the world’s fair held in San Francisco, Calif., and took over three years to construct.
The fair was said to have significant economic impact, including boosting the moral of the city, which had previously been destroyed in the fire of 1906. The celebration was also considered a celebration of the completion of the Panama Canal.
The 635-acre fair was held between Van Ness and Presidio, in an area currently known as the Marina. The tallest building at the fair was the Tower of Jewels, a 43-story building covered by more than 100,000 colored glass jewels. The Palace of Fine arts was left at the end of the fair and reconstructed in the 1960s.
1935 – All Africa Convention delegates provide solutions
On December 15, 1935, Africans from all different political spectrums gathered at the Community Hall in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Delegates at the convention drafted complete and comprehensive solutions to troubles that had been bothering South Africa.
This led to the constitution of the All African Convention (AAC), an organized group of individuals that intended to promote African rights through boycotts.
On December 15-18, 1935, it was decided that Sunday, January 19, 1936 would be considered the day of universal humiliation and intercession.
1977 – Chennai Book Fair features international authors
The Madras Book Fair, which was first held in Chennai, India, was started by The Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India (BAPASI). BAPASI is the largest book fair in India, and currently has over 600 publishing companies that exhibit. The first show, however, only had 22 stalls and was held at a school.
The first book fairs were successful due to the efforts of KV Mathew of BI Publications, an exhibiting company. He also organized an annual book fair for students, which was not as successful.
In December 1981, the show moved to the YMCA grounds in Chennai.
1985 – O’hare Exhibition Center becomes 14th largest
During December 1985, controversy surrounded McCormick Place, Chicago’s tradeshow giant. But while everything was happening and the attention was on McCormick, The O’hare Exposition Center became the 14th largest convention center in the U.S.
The O’hare Expo Center announced a 100,000 square-foot expansion, bringing the venue to 450,000 square feet of exhibit space.
The expansion was scheduled for completion in 1986 and put the facility in direct competition with McCormick Place. All work at the O’Hare Expo Center was completed without state or federal subsidies.
Tradeshow History as reported by Exhibit City News
1997 – McCormick Place dedicates new addition
In December 1997, McCormick Place held the dedication ceremony for a new $675 million addition. The new Grand Concourse and South Building provided another 840,000 square feet of exhibition space for a total of 2.2 million square feet.
At the dedication were Illinois Governor Jim Edgar and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, as well as a group of other laor leaders, construction executives and tradeshow professionals.
The new hall featured two restaurants, a food court, more than 150,000 square feet of crate storage and 70 truck docks.
2000 – eBusiness Conference & Expo meets in New York
The eBusiness Conference and Expo, which examined how electronic business transformed corporations, took place December 12-14, 2000. As part of CMP Media, the Expo featured more than 250 companies focused on problem solving and showcasing new producst and services.
On December 12, the program kicked off with a session that debated how winning long-term eBusiness depended on successful transformation management. Other sessions featured discussions about how to reinvent business models to incorporate online and electronic business.
2003 – Las Vegas hosts association annual meetings
Throughout December 2003, Las Vegas, Nev., played host to several association’s annual meetings. Among them were International Association for Exhibition Management’s Expo! Expo!, held December 2-4 at Caesar’s Palace.
Expo! Expo! featured educational sessions, networking events CEM classes and more than 390 exhibitor booths. The meeting was prefaced by FutureFocus 2003, a session designed for senior-level professionals who felt the need to identify trends and challenges throughout the industry.
Among the other shows held in Las Vegas during December 2003 were the Exhibition Services and Contractor’s Association (ESCA) Annual Meeting, the Trade Show Exhibitors Association’s (TSEA) Winter Forum, and the Exhibit Designers and Producers Association’s (EDPA) 49th Annual Convention.
2008 – Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre wins “Project of the Year”
The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) won Construction Week’s 2008 “Project of the Year” award. The Centre, designed by award-winning architects RMJM, is the Gulf’s largest venue.
The Construction Week Awards honor innovation and creativity in the Middle East by recognizing 16 key areas of the construction industry.
In fact, Capital Gate, the tower adjacent to the exhibition center, was submitted to the Guinness Book of Records as the “most inclined building in the world.” Capital Gate leans westward 18 degrees.
