Vegas Gives Coverings ‘11 Strong Western U.S. Audience (April 7)

The March 14-17 event at the Sands Expo and Convention Center brought in a 71-percent increase in West Coast attendees from Coverings 2010 in Orlando, Fla., according to a Coverings release issued today. The show also saw a growth of 82 percent in visitors from the Rocky Mountain region.

National Trade Productions (NTP), the event’s manager/producer, also noted the 2011 attendance at 19,000; the attendance for  last year’s show came in at 23,000+. More than 800 exhibitors appeared at the Las Vegas event.

“Consensus was that there was a solid return on taking Coverings to Las Vegas,” said Jennifer Hoff, NTP president of events. “We now need to capitalize on the base of West Coast attendees we attracted, and figure out how to retain them as returnees as we move forward over the coming decade.”

NTP also reported that 90 percent of the space for next year’s Coverings, set for April 17-20 in its return to Orlando, is already contracted, and floor space at the Orange County Convention Center is being expanded.

NTP also noted that more than a half-million pounds of surplus/used stone and tile from Coverings 2011 avoided the dumpsters and will be utilized by Habitat for Humanity and other non-profit/public-agency building projects, courtesy of a collaboration with Tile Partners for Humanity.

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