Washington, D.C - When the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s CEIR Predict Conference was held last week in Washington, D.C., one thing was abundantly clear – as a company in the trade show industry, if you are not already taking steps to create robust intelligence utilizing the reams of data typically collected by every show, then you quickly are going to fall behind the eight ball.

In early 1917, a few amusement park and other outdoor entertainment representatives gathered at the Congress Hotel in Chicago with the goal of establishing an association for the industry. The following year, the National Outdoor Showmen’s Association (NOSA) was officially formed.

When exhibits first appeared at the second Annual Convention, there were only three manufacturers featuring new amusement devices. But the following year, there were 45 exhibits and the trade show element was official.

In early 1917, a few amusement park and other outdoor entertainment representatives gathered at the Congress Hotel in Chicago with the goal of establishing an association for the industry. The following year, the National Outdoor Showmen’s Association (NOSA) was officially formed.

When exhibits first appeared at the second Annual Convention, there were only three manufacturers featuring new amusement devices. But the following year, there were 45 exhibits and the trade show element was official.

U.K.-based Informa is set to acquire U.S.-based Penton in a deal worth $1.56 billion from private equity owners MidOcean Partners and Wasserstein & Co.

The transaction is subject to approval by Informa shareholders and customary regulatory and closing conditions and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Atlanta-based Shepard Expositions, a provider of trade show general services contractor and event production services, has expanded their service offerings by acquiring Virginia-based Aquarian, a producer of corporate events and large-scale entertainment shows.

“By adding live event production to our portfolio of services, we’ll be in the position to more completely meet the needs of our clients as they look to more fully integrate all aspects of their events into a cohesive experience for their participants,” said Carl Mitchell, president of Shepard.

By Elizabeth Johnson

With the rise of digital entertainment options and the fall of attention spans, now just eight seconds on average, engaging attendees beyond a trade show or event has never been more important, or challenging.  Year-round attendee engagement has become critical for building a strong event brand and maintaining attendee retention rates. 

The Future of Events was meant to be a launch, scheduled Aug. 22-24 in Amsterdam, but every starter event’s worst nightmare occurred when organizers decided they needed to cancel it a month beforehand.

A stellar line up of speakers had been scheduled, airline tickets and hotel accommodations were made. Despite the last-minute setback, some long-time event professionals banded together and decided to hold a brand new event any way, and it would all be online.

The trade show industry has a history of being generous to its surrounding communities, and a few companies recently have lent a helping hand to those in need.

SmartSource Computer & Audio Visual Rentals, based in Hauppauge, N.Y., continues to be a strong supporter of Long Island Cares, the nonprofit organization based in the same town and founded by the late Harry Chapin, which brings together resources to benefit the hungry on Long Island and meet other vital humanitarian needs.

The 2016 Western Foodservice and Hospitality Expo was held Aug. 28-30 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The show has been running for 80 years, first as part of the California Restaurant Association, and currently with Urban Expositions.

“Our show is designed for anyone who is looking to learn about new trends in the industry,” said Ron Mathews, vice president, Urban Expositions. “But the show is also great for gaining knowledge on business tactics and growth. We cover both the art of menu preparation and cooking and the science of business profitability.”

Still marking the 24^th consecutive quarter of growth, the overall trade show industry’s upward trajectory has slowed down some during the second quarter of 2016.

Mirroring the sluggish macro economy and declining corporate profits, the trade show industry’s performance, as measured by the CEIR Total Index, posted a modest year-on-year gain of 1.6 percent in Q2 of this year, compared with 3.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015 and 2.6 percent in the first quarter of 2016.