Expo Magazine has an article this month about inexpensive destinations for shows. My feelings on this seem to run a bit against the grain. I think if the content and networking is compelling, you could have your show in Small Town, USA and as long as it is relatively convenient to attend (near an airport and plenty of hotel rooms), you’ll get your numbers.

When I explain to exhibitors and attendees why I am having the first Portable Media Expo in Ontario, CA instead of Las Vegas, Chicago or New York, they get it. Tradeshow Week recently had an article about how an association is having a tough time getting people to go to Hawaii for their event. By most tradeshow organizers’ standards, it should have been a slam dunk - who wouldn’t want to go to Hawaii?

I think at the point you are relying on the city rather than the show to bring in attendees, you are in trouble and you’d better make some changes quickly. If the show can’t stand on it’s own merits you’ve got bigger problems than where it is being held.