Full Version: ARA Show Venue
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#1]
25 Mar 2007
To: ALL
ARA Show Venue
EDITED: 25 Mar 2007 by DATAKES
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#2]
25 Mar 2007
To: ALL
With the cost of trade shows climbing for both the exhibitors and attendees, why are associations still choosing venues like Las Vegas rather than other cities that will offer great deals to host such a grand event?
Other, slightly less vibrant venues will likely have pricing on food, meeting rooms, hosting suites, accommodations, etc. that are lower.
I would like to think for the industry's biggest trade show that most of us would go to whatever destination it was held at, as long as the travel distance wasn't an issue.
Am I off base with that comment?
Are forum members a different breed of cat, where a larger sampling of the industry do attend only because it is in Las Vegas?
Would moving the show to a less entertaining venue really make it that much less expensive for exhibitors?
EDITED: 25 Mar 2007 by DATAKES
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#3]
25 Mar 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#2] 25 Mar 2007
David,
This is a question that has been brought up before. While I think most ARA members would attend regardless of where the show is held, I think that Vegas is the convention capitol of the country......and has all of the infrastructure in place.
Personally, I do not go the show because it is in Vegas...I don't like Vegas. It just happens to be where it is held, and I think that ARA has in fact considered other venues, but Vegas still seems to be the best bet around....
Just my two cents. Want change?
From: UncleSteve [#4]
25 Mar 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#2] 25 Mar 2007
If one plans ahead, there are usually cheap airfare/package deals from most major cities to LV....
There is much to do for family members that are not interested in the show......
There are not that many venues across the US that can really handle a large show (square footage/access/accomodations/etc.)
Since it is entrenched in the March time frame, weather plays a big role in the off hours/transportation to and from the venue.
I missed LV this year, but went to the AC version a week or two later. A bit slower from what I understand, but time to meet the vendors, really get a look at the products and compare the offerings.
I am also keeping in mind that other than the educational offerings, it is only a 2 day show.
From: JHayes55 [#5]
25 Mar 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#2] 26 Mar 2007
I am sure that Roy Brewer or Jeanette could answer the question better than I, but from talking to some of the ARA committee members when they are looking at various venues Las Vegas tends to be the best choice all in all. In most cases I believe it is booked a few years in advance, not just one. Personally, we are not fans of Vegas itself but the venue has several positives that allow it to stay a front runner for conventions.
What would be great is to have someone from ARA participate in our forum to talk about these types of issues.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#6]
26 Mar 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#2] 26 Mar 2007
David,
I voted NO, not because I'm a big fan of Las Vegas, but because other people are.
The mystique of Las Vegas is felt around the world and is responsible for bringing an international audience to the show.
Many of the people who come to Las Vegas attend the many spectacular shows, as part of their trip. It's a unique opportunity.
Let's face it; what attracts exhibitors, is the prospect of "feet in the aisles." What attracts feet to the aisles, is the prospect of the largest number of exhibitors, under one roof. It's a symbiotic relationship.
Some of the exhibitors I've spoken to, say LV is the only show they do. I imagine that's true for some of those I haven't spoken to.
I think we've already witnessed the poor turnout at less lively venues, through the smaller ARA shows, held in other parts of the country.
The "satellite" shows I've attended were underwhelming, in terms of the number of exhibitors and their trimmed-down displays, as compared to what the same companies bring to Vegas.
There's also the fact that the shows are booked well in advance, meaning if ARA goes to another city, they may lose their place in line, for space at the LV Convention center.
EDITED: 26 Mar 2007 by DGL
From: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#7]
26 Mar 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#2] 26 Mar 2007
I absolutely agree, Dave. The ARA is by no means a "large" show by any stretch of the imagination, and could be easily hosted almost anywhere. Those of you who have attended CES, SEMA or Comdex know what a truly large show is. Airfares to Las Vegas in peak season were ridiculous this year (from NY), and frankly the rooms (compared to what they were) are no particular bargain either.
I'd love to see the show in the heart of America somewhere (Branson, MO?) for low fares, cheap rooms and perhaps even more vendors and members. Good central location for most folks, and if you really need something to do outside the show, I'm sure there's lots possible. The only possible problem would be weather.
From: John (ICTJOHN) [#8]
26 Mar 2007
To: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#7] 26 Mar 2007
You must not have seen Branson in the last 20 or so years :O .................The TRAFFIC is horrible. :<
Branson is the #1 Bus tour in the USA............Busses everywhere! coupled with the lack of a sizable airport, weather, winding hilly narrow roads, makes for slooooooooooooow traffic. I believe they were hit with snow/ice storms before and after the ARA show this year. Many attractions are closed that time of year.
Even tho I am within driving distance, I don't think I would go to Branson for THE major ARA show. I do go to Vegas from 1 - 3 times a year and will continue as long as ARA is in Vegas. I can usually beat the hotel rates ARA advertises and rent a car to go/do other things in the area.
As far as airfare goes, I shop for airfares 2 - 4 months in advance and we have a discount carrier with a direct flight to Vegas, so it is a very economical trip for me - as opposed to other destinations, like Denver which is 600 miles away & regular fares are $600 - on sale I might get $325 - Vegas is approx $200.
I might go to Branson if it were one of the regional ARA shows at a better time of year, but not THE International show.
~
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#9]
26 Mar 2007
To: JHayes55 [#5] 26 Mar 2007
From: jeanettebrewer (JEANETTEBREWER2) [#10]
26 Mar 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#9] 26 Mar 2007
From: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#11]
26 Mar 2007
To: John (ICTJOHN) [#8] 26 Mar 2007
Actually I've never seen Branson....just heard about how popular it has become.
I suppose the airfares are very different depending on the point of origin. You would think that a fare from NY would be inexpensive (...the way it used to be to Vegas.) But the specials are largely gone. I booked my ticket for the show in September, and it was still over $500.00 on Southwest.
Now that I think of it, Chicago would be a great place for the show. I remember going to McCormick Place for some trade show shortly after it was built up, and the travel was a piece of cake. Great restaurants and bars, and centrally located with fantastic convention facilities.
From: Dee (DEENA-ONLY) [#12]
26 Mar 2007
To: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#11] 26 Mar 2007
From what I hear Chicago is almost as expensive for shows as NY and there are more union issues there than in NY.
Dee
From: John (ICTJOHN) [#13]
26 Mar 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#2] 26 Mar 2007
David,
ARA has asked that question of it's members almost yearly...........sometimes in e-mails, sometimes in the registration packet with your badges. I believe the overwhelming majority has said Vegas was their choice for many reasons... Most airfares were reasonable, food, sights, weather, chance to make a vacation out of a business trip etc., etc., etc.
ARA has to schedule about 4 years out in advance, so it will be a slow move to get it changed to a different location unless something drastic happens, like they quit building new hotels or that earthquake fault line is farther west than they think and it falls into the ocean... =:)
I would probably go once in a while if they moved it to another city, but I really enjoy going to Vegas 1 - 3 times a year and will go every year it is in Vegas.
Just my warped sense of an excellent "destination"!
Kind of like the old saying: If you don't like the weather in Kansas....wait 15 minutes and it will change!
If you don't like Vegas today...........wait a year and they will build a new one.
:O)
btw: while we were in Vegas, they announced plans to extend the monorail down to the airport, I think that will take 4-5 years. Another extension will take it to the downtown area. Still priced too high I think.
~
From: gt350ed [#14]
26 Mar 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#2] 26 Mar 2007
Question pertaining to the 3 words: How far is Las Vegas from your place of business?
Next question: When was the last time the poll-taker was IN (or ON) Las Vegas for a ARA event? :O)
Message 6428.15 was deleted
From: Cindy (CINDYM) [#16]
27 Mar 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#2] 27 Mar 2007
When I was a State Director for ARA years ago I asked this same question and was told that too many members consider Las Vegas a vacation also and would not come to the show if held elsewhere. Also thrown in to the reason(s) why people would not attend if the show was not held in Las Vegas was the central location and that people could fly directly in to Las Vegas. There were comments about our international members, and how Las Vegas was a draw for them, and they could get easy connections for travel. Believe me, a whole list of reasons were given to me.
It's a catch 22 because if you ask the question another way - why do we have so much trouble getting good space - you are told it is because our show is small potatoes compared to other groups and we don't spend enough on gambling - so our group isn't one that is in high demand in Vegas.
I for one am not a Las Vegas fan. After going there year after year, it was fun the first few years, but it is no longer a fun place for me. Food is expensive, lodging is expensive, travel on the ground is expensive and for anyone who has issues with walking or has a disability, it is not a disability friendly place. My understanding from vendors is that it is an outrageously expensive place to show off their goods - union unloading & loading, booth space is very expensive. I don't know how they do it show after show.
The change in venue would have to be to a place where they have direct flights in and out, or moving the show would not even be considered.
Cindy
From: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#17]
27 Mar 2007
To: Cindy (CINDYM) [#16] 27 Mar 2007
Cindy, I think yours was the best message in the bunch. You hit every topic right on.
How in the world can anyone that has been to vegas more than once consider it a vacation? I have been to so many more larger cities that are of more interest to me. ARA is New York City would get my attendance every time! But, for a true vacation/work venue, how can you beat the Bahammas, Hawaii, The Great Northwest...so many place to go, so little time.
I also believe what you said about the vendors finding Vegas to be very expensive to show in. When I worked for a company that showed at Comdex every year, it was outrageous what we had to budget just for move in and tear down considering the union rules. Funny too, they used to say the same thing about us and the gambling, apparently computer geeks were not considered gamblers either.
Ah well, change will come someday, but, probably to Anaheim! (Boo, hiss)
Doug
From: Jim (RETAIL74) [#18]
27 Mar 2007
To: Cindy (CINDYM) [#16] 27 Mar 2007
The only other city that would meet the criteria needed for a national ARA trade show would be Orlando. The city needs to have plenty of space to accommodate the show because it's not a big show. It also needs to be in a warm climate that has other attractions because it brings more people.
The access to affordable flights and rooms is always underestimated. Hotel rooms in NYC are $250+ per night. Plus transportation, parking, and food for vendors would be much higher. All things considered, Las Vegas is probably the best location.
From: Cindy (CINDYM) [#19]
27 Mar 2007
To: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#17] 27 Mar 2007
I might have mentioned this before in another post, but the best show I ever attended was in 1991 or '92 when the show was held in Oahu. It might have been a regional show - taken the place of the LA fall show. Ahhh, that was worth attending. It was in Nov, so although there was some rain, it was warm and beautiful and it was sunny most of the time. I remember, after the show part was over, we moved over to the big island and I never wanted to come back to the rainy northwest. If you can picture this, I was at the airport waiting for our connecting flight home, lying outside in the sun on one of the benches (the whole airport there is pretty much outside) and chanting "don't make me go back, don't make me go back". Pretty pathetic, but that was the last 'vacation' I've had that I enjoyed so much. At the time, airfare wasn't that bad to Hawaii - I could go now, but my family sure wouldn't be joining me at today's air prices!
There are pro's & con's to Vegas. It used to be a big town with a little town feeling, but now it is just hard to manuver there and expensive all the way around. LV is more a resort town now.
I'm pretty sure I've been told ARA does have to commit at least 4-5 years in advance and I don't see anything changing about where the show is held in the near future, much as some of us would like it to go elsewhere. After years of working the logistics out I'm sure the planning group would hate to start all over again.
Cindy
From: Mike (MIKEN) [#20]
27 Mar 2007
To: ALL
All three of the shows I mentioned are larger than ARA and all grapple with the site issue. There are 3 cities in the country that can handle shows of that size from the standpoint of hotel rooms, flights, ground transportation and exhibit space. Those cities are Las Vegas, Chicago and New York.
Unions are a problem everywhere in terms of cost and the number of them you have to deal with in setting up your exhibit. Security is a major issue at all of them.
I also had the pleasure of attending several trade shows in Europe and while hotels space and transportion are more of an issue than here exhibit space and concept are not. Their halls are comfortable with plenty of lounge areas, restaurants rest rooms etc. plus it is their way to have a hopitality area in most exhibits. Something we could learn from.
Where is our virtual exhibit for all of us who are tired of the travel?
Show messages: 1-20 21-40 41-44