USA – The trade show industry is getting back to business on the East Coast this week after heavy snow blasted the region from New York to Washington DC.
The storm scrubbed Washington's 2010 Technology Conference and Expo organised by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and The Centre for Association Leadership on 10-12 February, as well as a handful of smaller meetings.
The snow left roads and highways around the cities impassable and also cancelled scores of airline flights. The opening of the Motor Trend International Auto Show at the Baltimore Convention Centre was delayed by one day to 12 February. The storm also cut into attendance at the Philadelphia International Auto Show.
The decision by ASAE to call off the technology expo was made amid gloomy weather forecasts and dire predictions of a storm that would shut down the nation’s capital.
The ASAE told exhibitors and visitors that it was taking their safety into account. “We made the decision as early as possible to give you the best opportunity to change your plans,” said a spokesman.
The ASAE meeting was one of three events snowed out at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. “The first storm hit on a weekend when we were pretty dark,” CEO and general manager, Gregory O’Dell, told EW partner, Trade Show Executive. “When the last one hit at mid-week, we had two smaller meetings that we hope will reschedule.”
However, there were some success stories, with the Buyers Market of American Craft opening its doors on 12 February at the Pennsylvania Convention Centre.
The show, organised by The Rosen Group, is attended by artists and craftsmen looking to write orders from the retail sector for pieces they will create over the course of the year. “Out of about 1,000 artists’ studios registered, we only had a small number of cancellations,” said marketing director Jean Thompson.
