Specialized Pavilions Meet With Success at 2006 NWFPA Expo

Strong sessions and a targeted exhibit format paid off at the 2006 Northwest Food Manufacturing and Packaging Expo, held Jan. 15-18 in Portland, Ore. Attendance at the event was the highest since 1999, with food processors from 13 states attending.

While the number of exhibitors has remained relatively flat over the past several years, attendance has shown slow and steady growth.

"Much of this can be attributed to the quality and relevance of our program sessions and the quality of our exhibitors," said Gary Chesnutis, director of events and marketing for the Northwest Food Processors Association (NWFPA). He also pointed to the success of specialized pavilions designed to help exhibitors target specific groups of attendees. The pavilions include themes like Tech Town USA, the Education Pavilion, and the Productivity Pavilion.

Strategically located on the show floor, the pavilions are arranged to encourage and control traffic flow. The popular Member Showcase Pavilion: A Taste of the Northwest, allows food processor members to highlight the types of food and beverage products they produce. For the future, Chesnutis said the NWFPA will be "focusing a great deal of energy on additional specialized pavilions and co-locations with other organizations."

Technological Enhancements On the Upswing at ICBA

Attendance remained very strong over the past several years for the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), and the 2006 National Convention and Tech World in Las Vegas saw a significant increase in overall main registrants. Organizers attribute the high numbers in part to the draw of the new Wynn Resort.

The conference, held March 6-10, also highlighted a trend other than high attendance. "The biggest change for us is the use of technology at our conferences and the necessity to make Internet access much more readily available to attendees and vendors," said Mark Traeger, ICBA's associate director of conference/exhibits.

ICBA started a cyber café five years ago consisting of limited Internet access and located in a meeting room. Starting in 2005 - with an expansion in 2006 - the association moved the 25 to 30 computers comprising the café to the exhibit hall.

New technological enhancements include the use of LED walls behind the stage set at general sessions and increased use of pre-recorded videos to introduce speakers. In 2006, the LED walls behind the stage were used for backdrops, videos, showing sponsor logos, and projecting PowerPoint presentations.

SPECIAL REPORT: San Antonio Quantifies Value of Tourism

More than 21 million visitors set foot in San Antonio in 2004 … and they left behind $161 million in taxes and fees, 94,000 hospitality-related jobs, and $8.7 billion in economic impact. An extensive study by the San Antonio Area Tourism Council, San Antonio Hotel and Lodging Association, and San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau highlighted the effects of a hospitality industry that has grown by a billion dollars in just two years.

In 10 years the industry has grown by 85 percent and added another 20,000 full-time and part-time jobs to the local economy. Even with the obstacles of post-Sept. 11 tourism, the industry grew by 18 percent from 2000 to 2004.

"Each dollar a visitor spends doubles in value as it spreads through the community," said Janis Schmees, acting director of the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau. "The attractions and hotels in the city spent more than $62 million in expansion, renovation, and improvements in 2004 alone."

Over the past decade, transportation and travel grew more than 150 percent, lodging increased by 81 percent, and restaurants by 78 percent. Entertainment experienced a 28 percent growth rate.

The benefits of that growth rippled through nearly 40 community organizations funded in part by the city with contributions from visitors. The $3 million in assistance, primarily generated by the hotel occupancy tax, helps community arts and cultural organizations.