World of Concrete, (two photos above), Las Vegas January 18-20, 2022. Also in Las Vegas, SHOT Show 2022 (Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade) January 18-21, (two photos below).
Tradeshows occurred in more than 100 US cities during January in spite of the Omicron surge, worker shortages and travel limitations.
NRF, Retail’s Big Show, New York, January 16-18, 2022 (three photos below).
Imaging USA, January 16-18, National Harbor MD (below left) and IMSH, an international healthcare show, Anaheim, Jan 15-19 (below right).
It is claimed Mark Twain once said, “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” He was in London on a speaking tour when an American newspaper printed his obituary, and a local reporter asked him for a comment. Recently, national publications (Fortune magazine and The New York Times, to name two) have printed articles announcing show cancellations and postponements. They have listed names of corporations electing not to exhibit, but they don’t discuss exhibitors that are attending, or shows that are proceeding. These same publications wrote similar articles last August and September.
Two more shows: VMX, Orlando, Jan 15-19, and ABCA Chicago, Jan 6-9
The first major tradeshow of the new year was the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, January 5-7, 2022 (two photos below).
CES had more than 2,400 exhibiting companies and more than 44,000 attendees. A great number during a pandemic surge and with limited travel.
“The CES show floor buzzed with the joy of human interaction with products that will redefine our future and change our world for the better,” CES officials stated after the show.
A partial list of other notable shows occurring in January include AHR in Vegas, Surf Expo and PGA in Orlando, Yankee Dental in Boston, SPIE Photonics in San Francisco, InterSolar, Potato Expo, and Impressions (formerly Imprinted Sportswear) in southern CA, and Surface Navy in DC (actually Crystal City VA). There are more major shows this month than in the first five months of last year. And that is a trend worth celebrating!
Tradeshows make sense. And they make dollars.
Here is an example of a show doing record business during the pandemic: the Mecum Car Auction in Kissimmee FL, between January 6-16, grossed revenue in excess of $217 million!
“Fear defeats more people than any other thing in the world,” according to Dale Carnegie, quoting Napoleon Bonaparte. (This quote has also been attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson and Elbert Hubbard). Whatever the source, they are good words to remember. It is critical that we live our lives.
Tradeshows work, when we work them.
Bob McGlincy is director, business management at Willwork Global Event Services. Willwork creates engaging, energized, and exceptional event experiences. Bob can be contacted at Bob.McGlincy@willwork.com
