How many exhibitors participate in the ALA Annual Conference and Midwinter Meeting?
The ALA Annual Conference includes the largest library-oriented tradeshow or exhibition in the world, typically 1500 booths (approximately 950 exhibitors), requiring an average of 350,000 gross square feet of convention center space (including the space for aisles, food service, etc.) Exhibits have also been part of the ALA Midwinter Meeting since 1981. The ALA Midwinter tradeshow typically includes 900 booths (approximately 450 exhibitors) and requires over 200,000 gross square feet of convention center space. Just as there are regional attendees, there are regional exhibitors. Regional exhibitors are often small and alternative publishers, specialty companies and professional services providers (e.g. architects), as well as new companies “testing” the conference or marketplace.
