Recharger Magazine Announces Success of World Expo 2004, Plans for World Expo 2005
LAS VEGAS – Recharger Magazine’s World Expo once again posted record attendance. The annual industry trade event was held at the Sands Convention Center and Venetian Hotel, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2004.
More than 5,700 industry members participated in the event, which hosted 300 exhibitors and more than 160 education offerings. Checking in as a truly global event, registration included 28 percent of attendees from outside the United States.
The 300 exhibitors represented the largest number of exhibitors ever at a World Expo, as well as the largest number present at any remanufactured and compatible imaging supplies event in the world. "We’re pleased with the results. The team worked hard to produce a truly world-class event, and the industry attended in masses," said Phyllis Gurgevich, Recharger Magazine publisher.
Next year’s event, World Expo 2005, will be the 10th annual event. Recharger Magazine announced Mandalay Bay as the new World Expo venue for 2005 through 2007. This move will help alleviate some of the growing pains inherent in the move from a ballroom environment to a convention facility.
"We’re a growth industry, and one of the side effects of that growth is that our show no longer fits into a smaller facility like the Riviera," said Gurgevich. "While growth is a positive thing, there are adjustments that come along with it; the differences in dealing with a large convention facility can be tough, and we’re doing all we can to improve upon that."
Mandalay Bay, with rooms at just $139 a night, is one change that will work toward improvement. The convention center facility and environment will be more conducive to a week-long community feel; allowing industry members the experience of bumping into friends and business associates in the hotel restaurants and venues.
The change in dates is also an effort to improve the Expo experience. Many companies stated that September is a peak selling month, which makes it hard to be away from the business. August dates allow people to remain close to the businesses at a critical sales time, yet enter that time armed with the information and inspiration from attending World Expo.
For more information on World Expo 2005 visit
www.rechargermag.com.
This article originally appeared in the November 2004 issue of Recharger.