Shows Top Off 2002

The state of U.S. trade shows for the stone industry looked good at the end of 2002, as organizers of events at opposite ends of the country reported strong attendance.
StonExpo 2002, held in Baltimore in early December, pulled record attendance – despite opening in the middle of one of the strongest and coldest winter storms to hit the Baltimore area. The event drew 4,051 people; StoneExpo Federation Inc. officers noted a count of 1,260 exhibitors from nearly 200 companies, and a verified industry attendance of 2,791.
A survey of attendees also showed a diverse group; 15 percent cited countertop production as their primary business, while 16 percent focused on residential stone and 17 percent on commercial/institutional work. Remodelers made up 11 percent of the crowd, while 12 percent focused on stone in new construction. Nearly three-quarters – 73 percent – of the attendees are also authorized to make or specify company purchases.
The International Tile and Stone Show (ITSS) made its Las Vegas debut in late October, reporting a total of 7,659 issued attendee badges and 1,006 exhibitor badges. ITSS officials noted that 48 percent of the visitors came from the West Coast market, with the mix of exhibitors and attendees representing 42 countries.
Organizers from both shows reported a positive outlook on 2003 events. The ITSS, set for Nov. 13-15 in Las Vegas, expects to double in size. StonExpo, meanwhile, noted that two-thirds of the Baltimore exhibitors reserved 75 percent of the space – the highest advance-reservation figure in the event’s history – for StonExpo 2003 in Atlanta on Dec. 4-6.

©2003 Western Business Media Inc.