Post-Show Recap: EXHIBITORLIVE 2024 Reports More Than 20% Increase in Attendance

March 5, 2024

EXHIBITORLIVE 2024, an annual event for exhibitors produced by Exhibitor Group, reported a more than 20% bump in total attendance and 40% increase in buyers year over year, according to David DuBois, president and CEO of Exhibitor Group and publisher of EXHIBITOR magazine, who joined the privately held company in October after serving for 11 years as president and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE).

Related: David DuBois to Retire From IAEE at the End of 2023 

Held Feb. 25-28 in Nashville, the event featured four days of education, networking opportunities and a trade show, as well as co-located events with the Experiential Designers and Producers Association (EDPA).

By the numbers: The 2024 show, held Feb. 27-28 at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center in Nashville, featured 108 exhibitors across a variety of categories, including exhibit builders, event marketing agencies, freight providers, event tech companies and more. The number of exhibitors was about the same as it was last year, but the show was condensed from three days to two in 2024. The exhibit hall was open to buyers for 9.5 hours this year, compared with 10.5 hours last year.

Related: EXHIBITORLIVE PREVIEW: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO NASHVILLE

EXHIBITORLIVE
EXHIBITORLIVE 2024 featured 108 exhibitors, including Skyline, at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center in Nashville.

What they are saying: “EXHIBITORLIVE is in a period of growth and rejuvenation, and the impressive number of attendees here in Nashville shows that industry professionals like the practical educational content and meaningful connections they can find at our show,” DuBois said. “The new approaches, technologies and performance metrics available at EXHIBITORLIVE will ensure events remain business drivers.” 

Future locations and dates announced: Exhibitor Group revealed its plans for the next three years. EXHIBITORLIVE 2025 will take place March 16-19, 2025 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. The 2026 show will take place March 29-April 1, 2026, at the Tampa Convention Center in Florida, and the 2027 show will be held Feb. 14-17, 2027 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. 

Contractor agreement extended: Exhibitor Group also announced that it has signed a multi-year partnership with Fern Exposition Services, which will serve as EXHIBITORLIVE’s general services contractor through 2027. DuBois said, “We hope that by providing exhibitors with consistency in operations, not only will they be able to more accurately predict budgets, their imaginations will be free to create interesting activations and stellar designs that drive the top-notch networking opportunities EXHIBITORLIVE is known for.”

 

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MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.