Welcome back to “A Look Back at ECN Tradeshow History.” This month, the archive opens on a snapshot of how the industry moves through change. From a leadership hire aimed at strengthening advocacy in Washington to renewed show floor growth and early signs of attendance rebounding, these clips track what mattered in the moment. You will also see how the tools of the trade kept evolving, from new exhibit products and measurement services to early translation tech, plus familiar names building long careers in the business. Got your own memory to share? Email Mark at Markh@exhibitcitynews.com. We would love to include it in a future edition.
Five Years Ago
February 2021
Tommy Goodwin Joins ECA Alliance
The Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance (ECA) named Tommy Goodwin vice president of government affairs. In the role, Goodwin joined the organization’s leadership team to advance advocacy efforts focused on increasing awareness of the economic and employment impact of live business events and representing industry interests with policymakers. Goodwin brought more than 20 years of experience in government relations and issue advocacy, including roles with Oracle Corp., AARP, and the Project Management Institute (PMI). He also served as a research fellow at Harvard Business School and was recognized by The Hill as a top association lobbyist.
10 Years Ago
Quarter 1
5 Reasons Why I Am Addicted to Custom Tradeshow Displays
In this opinion feature, Jeff Peterson of Printmor outlined why custom tradeshow displays continued to gain traction among exhibitors. Writing from a designer’s perspective, Peterson detailed how tailored environments supported brand differentiation, visual storytelling, and audience engagement beyond what standard rental systems could offer. He addressed practical considerations such as budget allocation, durability, and long-term value, arguing that custom solutions allowed exhibitors to better control messaging and presence on the show floor. The column also emphasized collaboration between exhibitors and fabricators as a key factor in creating displays aligned with broader marketing and brand objectives.
15 Years Ago
February 2011
EXHIBITOR2011 expands show floor
EXHIBITOR2011 expanded its exhibit hall at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center to accommodate increased demand from exhibitors. Organizers reported the sale of 52 island exhibits, with no remaining space for large exhibits under the existing floor plan and only a limited number of 10-by-10-foot booths available. The expanded floor allowed for a greater mix of island exhibits and smaller booths to address a growing waiting list. The exhibit hall remained the largest of its kind in North America for the tradeshow and corporate event marketing industry. EXHIBITOR2011 also featured more than 220 educational sessions across seven learning tracks, including 70 new sessions focused on emerging issues such as sustainability and social media.
Attendees flock to tradeshows in 2011
Early data pointed to a strong rebound in tradeshow attendance. The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) reported a 5.4 percent increase in attendance in the fourth quarter compared with the prior year, following a 6.6 percent gain in the third quarter. Momentum carried into the new year. The International Consumer Electronics Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center drew about 140,000 attendees and 2,700 exhibitors, up 10.5 percent in attendance and 200 exhibitors from the previous edition. Other events also set records, including the Professional Convention Management Association annual meeting with 3,743 attendees and the National Association of Music Merchants show with 90,114 registered participants, signaling broad-based recovery across multiple industry sectors.
Exhibit industry launches new products
Exhibit and event suppliers rolled out a wide range of new products timed around EXHIBITOR, with several debuts tied to the expanded exhibit hall. Introductions included interactive display technology, modular fabric systems, graphic flooring, and portable hybrid exhibits. New products featured hands-free media selection, hologram-style visuals projected onto transparent screens, curved fabric walls adaptable to multiple footprints, and custom-printed flooring produced in five-by-10-foot sections. Several systems emphasized tool-free assembly, compact transport, and faster setup times, while others focused on measurement, return-on-investment analysis, and data-driven event evaluation, reflecting growing demand for both engagement and accountability on the show floor.
20 Years Ago
February2006
Nimlok Chicago names new execs
Nimlok Chicago announced several personnel changes, including the promotion of Maria Valdovinos as an account executive. Valdovinos had spent three years with the company as an account manager before moving into the new role. In her position, she was responsible for developing exhibit solutions for corporate clients and supporting sales efforts.
Update: Valdovinos has built a long tenure at Nimlok Chicago, advancing through multiple roles over roughly 25 years. She began with the company as a receptionist, later moved into account management, and then into account executive leadership. She is currently listed as senior account executive, working on exhibitions, event, and environment solutions in the Greater Chicago area.
CEIR releases industry report on growth
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) released a report measuring exhibition industry performance based on data from 10,000 business-to-business events. The study found an average annual growth rate of nine percent across attendance, net square footage, and exhibitor participation. Exhibition and convention centers hosted 48 percent of all tradeshows analyzed, followed by hotels at 32 percent and conference centers and other venues at 20 percent. The report also identified October and January as the busiest months for tradeshows, with March and April close behind, offering a snapshot of industry scale, venue use, and seasonal patterns.
Instant translation of what you see, hear, read, write or type
A handheld translation system was introduced with the ability to convert spoken and written language in real time. Demonstrated at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the device combined speech recognition, text translation, and voice output in a single portable unit. The system was designed to translate conversations, documents, and typed text, with applications ranging from business meetings to travel and customer service.
25 Years Ago
February 2001
International CES highlights digital technology
The Consumer Electronics Association (CES) reported attendance of 122,422 industry professionals from 120 countries at the International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The four-day tradeshow occupied 1.2 million net square feet of exhibit space, making it the largest annual technology tradeshow at the time. The event featured conference sessions, keynote addresses, and exhibits focused on consumer electronics and digital technology for workstyle and lifestyle applications. Attendees included manufacturers, retailers, content providers, broadband developers, installers, engineers, corporate buyers, government officials, financial analysts, and media. Organizers said the show set records for attendance, exhibit space, and participation by high-level government officials, and cited the move to a consolidated venue as a key operational change.
Nth Degree acquires European firm
Nth Degree announced the acquisition of FAIR, a German exhibit design and fabrication company, to expand its European operations and better serve U.S.-based clients exhibiting overseas. FAIR was headquartered near Stuttgart and had partnered with Nth Degree for several years on international projects. The firm employed a local team and provided design, fabrication, and labor management services across Europe. Nth Degree said the move strengthened its ability to manage European programs directly, including coordination of labor, logistics, and installation. At the time of the acquisition, Nth Degree had been operating in Europe since 1989 and cited active projects in multiple major European markets, including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.
A perfect TEN
TEN returned to Dallas with expanded scale and strong attendance at the Dallas Market Center, occupying more than 1 million square feet of exhibit space. The event drew 18,000 attendees and featured more than 1,200 exhibitors spanning home furnishings, accessories, and design-focused products. Organizers reported growth across multiple categories and noted increased participation from both first-time and returning exhibitors. Programming included product debuts and showroom activations aimed at buyers and designers.
Photo Caption: The cover of Exhibit City News, first quarter 2016, featured Julia Smith, chairwoman of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events Board of Directors, highlighting leadership, balance, and industry perspective at the time.
