Tourism Industry & BACVA News

For Immediate Release: February 27, 2008

Media Contacts Only:
Sara Hisamoto
Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association
410-659-7071
shisamoto@baltimore.org

Baltimore to Host Fastest 50 Growing Tradeshows in North America

Tradeshow Week Event Will Draw the Industry's Most Successful and Influential

BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA) announced today that one of the most sought-after events in the convention and tradeshow industry has selected Baltimore for its upcoming November meeting. Tradeshow Week's (TSW's) Fastest 50 will be held November 6-9 at the new Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel. The Tradeshow Week Fastest 50 honors the shows that have experienced the greatest growth in terms of square footage during a three-year period in the United States and Canada.

The November event is expected to draw 250 attendees, including delegates from the TSW Fastest 50 winners as well as meeting planners and corporate and association executives who plan tradeshows around the country every year.

"This event is the Academy Awards of the tradeshow industry and every city wants to host it because it gives you an opportunity to showcase your city to an important group of customers and potential clients," says Tom Noonan, president and CEO of BACVA. "These are industry executives who plan hundreds, if not thousands, of tradeshows who will be living and breathing Baltimore for several days. The impact of this one event could be felt for years to come in future business."

This is Tradeshow Week's sixth annual TSW Fastest 50 event. Previous host cities include Atlanta in 2007, Boston in 2006, Las Vegas in 2005, Dallas in 2004 and Houston in 2003. This year's winners will be announced in August and recognized in November.

"Each of the TSW Fastest 50 events clearly represent growth in their respective markets," says Nancy Walker, Tradeshow Week's associate publisher. "And just like the shows we honor, Baltimore's prestigious growth and development make it an exciting match for this year's event. It's an exciting city and we are looking forward to having our delegates experience its energy."

Tradeshow Week also picked Baltimore for its unique venues for off-site events. The opening session is planned for the American Visionary Art Museum and the closing brunch will take place at Geppi's Entertainment Museum.

"This is a great marketing event for the city and an ideal opportunity to show off Baltimore's tight convention package where everything is within walking distance," adds Noonan. "This is a big win for Baltimore and an important showcase event for BACVA's sales team."

Tradeshow Week, the exhibition industry's leading weekly news magazine and publisher of the Tradeshow Week 200®, produces the TSW Fastest 50 celebration every fall to honor tradeshow producers.

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The Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA), a membership-based organization, is the official destination development and marketing leader for Greater Baltimore, responsible for generating incremental economic benefits to the community through the attraction of convention and leisure visits.