Why do companies quit exhibiting at trade shows?
There are many reasons, like the change in attendance or the cost of exhibiting. Comdex is a good example. It used to be a show for computer companies to announce their new products and was geared towards business folks attending. Now it is a consumer electronics show. The National Retail Federation Show has been held in NYC in January for ever. They were in two hotels — the Hilton and spillover at the Sheraton. You had to wait 10 years before you got out of the Sheraton and went to “the main show.” Three years ago they had no exhibitors at the Sheraton. Then they moved to the Javitts Center, and are now considering moving out of NYC. The cost of the NRF for a small 10×10 booth is approx $12,000. Whereas the Super Show in Atlanta, which is the same target, but much bigger can be done for $5,000. The Super Show is so big, that Nike has an entire floor! So, a lot of people are dropping out.
