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.
