Organization Type
Trade association/society/not-for-profit – 62%
Independent/For-profit convention/trade show/meeting owner/producer/planner – 35%
Corporate event management - 4%

Total Attendance of Largest Show in 2005 – 10,627

Total Gross Revenue
$500,000 or less – 16%
$500,001 to $1,000,000 – 19% 
$1,000,001 to $2,000,000 – 15%
$2,000,001 to $3,000,000 – 10%
$3,000,001 to $5,000,000 – 9%
More than $5,000,000 – 30%

Required Exhibit Space (Sq. Ft.)
Less than 25,000 – 10%
25,001 to 50,000 – 19%
50,001 to 100,000 – 19%
100,001 to 250,000 – 25%
250,001 to 500,000 – 15%
More than 500,000 – 13%

Type of Show Produced
Trade/Business-to-Business – 79%
Consumer – 10%
Both Trade and Consumer – 9%
Other – 2%

Verbatim responses on show organizers’ biggest challenge with attendee marketing
Approach to the right potential person.
Attendees are opening fewer e-mails and clickthroughs are declining – direct mail and ironically faxes are still proving to be effective marketing methods – word of mouth and grassroots marketing (free show passes) through our exhibitors and local members is our most effective means. It will be interesting to see how the use of blogs, webcasts and a revised web portal will help us market in 2007.
Competitors shows near the same date.
Continuing to attract new attendees.
Cost.
Creating the "oomph" to make it worthwhile to attend – difficult to get from Editorial Director as to why people should spend money.
Discovering the newest wants and interests that attendees have that could motivate them to attend our shows.
Early registration. Getting exhibitors to market themselves as well.
Ensuring that it is an effective piece.
Getting a response.
Getting attendees’ attention.
Getting international attendees and end user customers.
Getting it out early enough – our industry's peak working time is the summer, and we have a fall show.
Getting people to show up after they have signed up.
Getting them to the show.
Gauging response and success.
Having them read the materials thoroughly.
Increase number and types of attendees.
Internet.
Introducing new attendees to the show.
Introducing new brand.
Involving exhibitors in taking their responsibility for attendee promotion.
Keeping up with changes in addresses for our people who move jobs frequently.
Pharmacists register very late in the game.
Reaching the right person at prospective institutions as well as not inundating our current membership with too many email broadcasts.
Receiving biggest bang for the buck.
To classify the definition for business visitors and general visitors.
Very broad range of market segments for niche event.
We do consumer shows. The advertising is so splintered.
We have the loyals who come to every conference. We're not focusing on why the people who aren't there don't come. We have no tracking system in place to see if our new efforts are delivering on their objectives. In fact, they (directors of the association) have not even set objectives for the new campaign. Unfortunately, my voice is very small at this point as I'm relatively new to the organization but it's quite frustrating.
We really have not had a problem marketing our attendees. As soon as they get our materials they register online.