ATLANTIC CITY CVA
The Atlantic City Convention Center will host the next H.H. Backer Spring Trade Show, April 13-15, 2011.
Backer Spring Show Returns to Atlantic City
H.H. Backer Associates (Chicago) has rescheduled its 2011 Pet Industry Spring Trade Show for April 13-15, 2011—a Wednesday-through-Friday format—at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, N.J., based on buyer feedback in an Internet-based survey conducted by the company in May.
Backer’s Pet Industry Spring Trade Show previously was scheduled for April 8-10, 2011, in Baltimore.
| Retail buyers responding to the survey indicated that location is a critical factor when they are deciding which trade shows to attend. In addition, they identified Atlantic City as the preferred location for Backer’s Spring Trade Show. Approximately 80 percent of survey respondents travel by car to trade shows, and most live in the densely populated states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia. |
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The midweek schedule means attendees will be able to book hotel rooms at lower rates, most under $100 a night, according to Colette Fairchild, trade show director for H.H. Backer Associates (Chicago).
“The decision to return to Atlantic City hinged first and foremost on what buyers wanted. Buyers wanted a venue that’s easy to get to and more affordable overall, especially in light of the current economy,” Fairchild said.
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“When we moved the Spring Trade Show to Baltimore in 2008, those issues weren’t as vital as they are today,” she added. “We realize a change has to be made, and we’re confident that moving back to Atlantic City will draw more buyers and exhibitors alike, especially on the aquatic side.”
Officials in Atlantic City are working with Backer to keep hotel rates, exhibitor expenses and other costs competitive, she said. Furthermore, the city has recently added more direct flights to the local airport, more than 2,500 hotel rooms and more stores, restaurant and entertainment options.
“And moving to midweek means better service for group business,” Fairchild said.
Atlantic City and Baltimore are the only East Coast venues large enough to host Backer’s Spring Trade Show and affordable enough to appeal to exhibitors and buyers, she said.
Show management also was sensitive to exhibitors’ requests to allow more preparation time between Global Pet Expo and Backer’s Spring Trade Show. Therefore, H.H. Backer has selected show dates that are at least four weeks after Global Pet Expo in 2011 through 2013 (Global’s dates vary each year, from late February to mid-March).
Future dates for Backer’s Pet Industry Spring Trade Show are April 18-20, 2012, and April 10-12, 2013, at the Atlantic City Convention Center.
Backer’s Spring Trade Show will feature longer show hours to accommodate buyers’ varying schedules. The exhibit hall will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, April 13 and 14, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, April 15. |
Exhibitor information on the 2011 show is available at www.hhbacker.com. Buyer information, including hotel and airline options, will be available at www.hhbacker.com on Dec. 15, 2010.
For more information, contact H.H. Backer at 312-578-1818. [September 2010 PET AGE]
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