Retail's Big Show Scores Record-breaking Attendance in New York City
February 11, 2014
The National Retail Federation’s Retail’s Big Show broke attendance records, with 30,000 people, an uptick from 27,500 last year, Jan. 12-15 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York.
There also were 555 exhibiting companies, up from 494 last year, and 205,000 net square feet, up from 168,000 net sq. ft. last year.
“We are incredibly fortunate to be in an industry that is changing on a daily basis,” said Susan Newman, NRF’s senior vice president of conferences.
Driving that change is technology and all the ways that consumers are buying products, whether it be in-store, online or on their mobile phone.
“Retailers constantly are needing to figure out what’s next,” Newman said. “Our show is the place to go.”
One of the fastest-growing aspects of the showfloor is the mobile component, she added. “Mobile is obviously huge. It’s the biggest area of growth.”
The show featured areas, such as the Innovation Lab, at which new products were brought in that would create some ‘buzz factor’, Newman said. One of those products included a gum that came out of China that when chewed would make someone’s entire body smell like a certain flavor.
Also to bring added excitement to the showfloor, there was a lot of education offered not only in exhibitors’ booths, but also on the main NRF Expo stage, where there were 800 seats and standing-room only crowds for hot topics, Newman said.
Of the 30,000 attendees from 86 countries, the biggest contingent, 1,652, was from Brazil. “They are hugely loyal to our show and very interested in new technology,” Newman said. Canada had the second-biggest group there with 1,124 attendees.
Other international delegations attended from France, Japan and Mexico, to name a few.
One of the surest signs that exhibitors were happy with this year’s show? “We’re 94 percent rebooked for next year,” Newman said.
Here are some of the fun stats put out by NRF after the show:
· 9,600 Krispy Kreme doughnuts were served
· 200 miles were walked by just five members of NRF’s logistics team
· 4 driver’s licenses and a wedding band were turned into lost and found
· there were 278 speakers, and one former president – George W. Bush.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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