The trade show industry continues to see more and more people flocking to exhibit halls, with three recent shows from completely divergent industries all scoring strong attendee numbers.

AHR Expo, the top heating, air-conditioning and refrigerating show in the United States that was held Jan. 28-30 at the Dallas Convention Center, established four new all-time records for a show held in the Southwest. 

More than 52,000 attendees, 35,000 of them visitors, filled the aisles to see the latest products and technologies on display from 1,951 exhibiting companies covering 397,000 square feet.

“We were very pleased with the attendance and the enthusiasm on the Show floor,” said Clay Stevens, president of the International Exposition Company that produces and manages the AHR Expo.

The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade’sWinter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco ended last week on a high note, with record attendance for the third year in a row and the largest exhibit space in its 38-year history.

The show took place Jan. 20–22 at Moscone Center.

The show attracted more than 18,600 buyers, who were primarily retailers and restaurateurs, as well as 1,300 exhibitors that represented the latest in specialty foods and beverages from across the U.S. and 35 countries and regions.

“Consumers are embracing specialty food like never before and the strong numbers reflect continuing positive momentum for the industry,” said Ann Daw, president of NASFT.

The show covered 209,750 square feet of exhibit space, up 2 percent from 2012. Booth space sold out for this year’s event, and sales for next year’s show are already 10 percent ahead of last year at this time, according to show organizers.

He added, “The aisles were packed for almost all three days of the show.”

The 2013 North American International Auto Show had total ticketed attendance for its 2013 show of 795,416, compared with 770,932 last year. The show ran for two weeks at the Cobo Center in Detroit.

NAIAS Chairman Jim Seavitt said the 2013 total is the highest since 2004, when 808,833 attended.

"This was a true celebration of the automobile, and a demonstration of the strength and resiliency of the auto business," Seavitt said.

He added, "The Detroit show is a true reflection of a strong, vibrant and more confident industry. The manufacturers made it abundantly clear that this show, and the global stage it provides, is of critical importance to their vehicle launch strategies."

Seavitt said the NAIAS is on par with shows in Geneva, Frankfurt, Paris, Beijing, Shanghai and Tokyo because of the number of journalists that attend and the number of worldwide product introductions that are made in Detroit.