Total attendance at the NACS Show 2007 was 22,800, a 1% increase over attendance in 2006, according to final attendance numbers released by NACS. Of the total attendees, 7,773 were classified as “buyers,” retailers, wholesalers and distributors. The NACS Show 2007 took place November 6 to 9 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
Final exhibition numbers also were strong. At 380,200 net square feet, the expo was the same size as last year’s record-setting exposition. A total of 1,255 companies exhibited at the NACS Show 2007, including 289 new companies.
The NACS Show 2007 had 37 workshops, with special programming designed for the industry’s smaller operators on the final day, which was known as “Independents Day.” It also featured new partnerships with three state associations — the Georgia Association of Convenience Stores, Petroleum & Convenience Marketers of Alabama and the Florida Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association – in addition to the long-standing alliances with the Petroleum Marketers Association of America and the Petroleum Equipment Institute.
Attendees continued to embrace several tools to enhance their NACS Show experience. Nearly three out of four attendees (73%) used the NACS Show Connect portal to find people, products and information at the NACS Show matching their business objectives. In addition, more than 16,000 retail scans were captured in the Cool New Products Preview Room, which showcased more than 200 of the newest products in the industry.
Earlier this year, the NACS Show was again named the top trade show in the United States for “buying power” and second overall for buying plans according to an annual report on U.S. trade shows developed by Exhibit Surveys Inc.
The NACS Show 2008 will take place Oct. 4 to 7 at McCormick Place in Chicago.