The need to fill exhibit halls has created some unexpected bedfellows.From conventions for Pez dispenser collectors to comic book junkies; from those that include ghost-hunting excursions to those for Elvis Presley fans, Beatles fans, Judy Garland fans, and even Muppets fans, there's a convention for just about everything. It's not a phenomenon, although even that has its own eventPhenomenon 2009, an Australia games convention that was held this June.
Given the wavering economy, conventions like these take on added importance. "In an economy such as this, the value of having booked a program like the National Square Dance Convention actually increases. By nature, these social groups continue to meet in these economic times, when a corporate group will cancel," explains Steve Goodling, president and CEO of the Long Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Grab Your PartnerSome 4,912 square dancers from all over the world sashayed in the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center during the 58th National Square Dance Convention June 24-27.
In addition to square dancing, there was round dancing, country western line dancing, clogging, and "handicapable" dancing. Eighteen "dance halls" were created in the center to accommodate the dancers.
The planning process for the convention was headed up by husband and wife volunteers Sandy and Ray Hutchison, based in Palm Springs, CA. The two have been square dancing since 1987 and love the fact that its motto is friendship set to music.
They call the convention planning process a labor of love and laborious it was. In addition to working as planners, both have full-time careers. Sandy works at a CPA firm and Ray is a QuickBooks Pro advisor.
"We've devoted at least five hours a night to planning the convention for the past two years, and this is after working all day," explains Sandy.
But it was worth it as the convention was a huge success. Attendees came from 49 states, Japan, Australia, Taiwan, and even Beijing, China.
Getting the square dancers to "do sa do" in Long Beach has been an undertaking since 1999. It was then that the Hutchisons partnered with the Long Beach Convention Center and the Long Beach Area CVB and asked for the opportunity to bid on the convention. They were given the opportunity to make an official presentation in 2005 at its Portland convention, and they were awarded the bid. This was the second time the square dance convention was held in Long Beach; the first was in 1964.
"The Long Beach Convention Center and CVB couldn't have been more helpful. They sent people to Portland to help us make the presentation. They gave us a bunch of cool promotional products like foam fish and key chains to give away," explains Sandy. "They also stocked the booth we had at every national convention leading up to ours." The theme for this year's convention was everything Southern California. That included the beach, surfing, and Woody cars, says Sandy.
"We've received so many positive e-mails about the convention. It was great to be under one roof at the Long Beach Convention Center," says Sandy.
Another plus was that most hotels are within walking distance of the convention center and those that aren't are accessible via a free bus called "The Passport" that also goes to all must-see Long Beach attractions.
Attendance was down this year because the convention was held in the midst of the swine flu panic. "We lost half of our Japanese and Beijing dancers because they would have to be quarantined if they came," explains Sandy. The economy also had an impact, as original estimates had attendance at 6,000 instead of the nearly 5,000 who were on hand to swing their partners.
Putting on the Dog for the Pampered Pet ExpoThe Orange County Convention Center was filled with fur, feathers, and fins August 7-9, as more than 4,000 attendees flocked to the second annual Pampered Pet Expo.
This was not your typical pet eventeducation was the theme and attendees chose from over 22 free or low-cost classes and presentations. Subjects included How to Properly Exercise the Body & Mind of Your Dog; DOGA (yoga with your dog); Flower Essence Therapy, Aromatherapy & Herbal Healing for Your Pets; and the Red Cross' Pet First Aid and CPR certification workshop. Of particular interest to many attendeesespecially in this economywas a seminar titled "Build a Profitable Pet-Sitting Business" that was presented by a professional pet- sitter who earns over $100,000 a year.
Animal rescue groups showed off their adoptables, with many reporting they received adoption requests, as well as signing up new foster homes and financial donors. Exotic pet information was available from local rabbit and ferret rescue groups; a three-foot alligator, along with other native wildlife, was also brought in by a local wildlife rescue.
Entertainment included the Disc-Connected K9s, a touring dog show that features rescued canines who perform high-flying acrobatics as they retrieve Frisbees. Another popular show was ShowBirdz! featuring performing cockatoos that rollerskate, play basketball, ride high-wire bikes, fly through hoops, and ride scooters. The "Swanky Pooch" Runway Fashion Show featured four-legged models and all had tails wagging.
The Pampered Pet Expo is owned and produced by entrepreneurial sisters, Pittsburgh, PA-based Joyce Perhac and Orlando, FL-based Janice Blasko. Perhac is president and CEO of ProShow, Inc., a meeting and event planning company, and Foxfire Management, an association management company, and has over 20 years experience planning both consumer and trade/industry events, as well as managing a number of for-profit and non-profit associations. Blasko is the owner of The Abbey Group, a website development company catering to small businesses, and is also president of an animal rescue organization in the Central Florida area.
"We both have a love of animals, and my sister is very involved in the rescue community in Florida. We decided to create an event that would benefit rescue organizations, entertain, educate, and promote adoptions," says Perhac. It seems they are on to something as this August's expo attracted twice as many attendees as last year. "We were thrilled to have grown like this in this economy," says Perhac.
Both sisters agree that joining forces was one of the best decisions they've made. And they're not stopping with pets; they recently acquired the Amish Country Quilt Show and also co-own the Sewing & Craft Alliance.
Yes, Gatlinburg, There Is a Santa ClausOne of the jolliest events ever was held in March in Tennessee's Gatlinburg Convention Centerthe first annual Celebrate Santa Convention and Expo. More than 600 Santas, Mrs. Clauses, elves, helpers, 100 vendors, and 50 reindeer owners and breeders took time from the North Pole to be on hand.
Sleigh bells were ringing as the Celebrate Santa Convention kicked off on March 16, followed by three days of workshops, exhibits, and entertainment. The Reindeer Owners & Breeders Association joined in with its own convention.
There was a ball one evening where all the Santas and Mrs. Clauses in attendance dressed in their finest. Not only were there social events but educational ones, as well. More than 30 classes offered everything from hair and beard care tips to information on dealing with handicapped children.
The planners and creators of this event are Joseph and Mary Moore. In their previous careers, Joseph was a marketing and public relations professional and Mary an accounting manager. Nine years ago, they ditched corporate apparel for a red suit and dress and have become Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
"Our goal is to help Santas become even more professional, so their visits with kids are even more special. We're working to improve the Santa Claus world," explained Joseph, before letting out a hearty "Ho! Ho! Ho!"
The Holly and Shamrock Parade took over downtown Gatlinburg on March 17, when St. Nick teamed up with St. Patrick. More than 20,000 lined the streets on a Tuesday afternoon as floats, Santas, Mrs. Clauses, and more Santas paraded by. A crowd twice as big is expected next year as the parade will be held on a Saturday.
The Gatlinburg Convention Center is the perfect setting for this gathering, says Joseph. "With all the gorgeous wood, stone, and working fireplaces it truly does look like Santa's home."
The 2010 Celebrate Santa will run March 13-16, when the Gatlinburg Convention Center will look a lot like Christmas once again.
Superhero of Pop Culture ConventionsComic-Con International is called the "superhero" of pop culture conventions. The show, pure nirvana for comic book fans, started about 40 years ago as a small comic book convention with some 300 people in attendance. At the end of July, more than 125,000 attendees took over the San Diego Convention Center, the venue's largest event. During the convention, Darth Vader, stormtroopers, Superman, Batman, and even Twilight characters were spotted among the crowd.
This is a very important convention not only to the convention center but to the entire area. Comic-Con generates about $42 million in spending and 92 to 98 percent of the county's 54,000 hotel rooms are booked.
"Downtown San Diego and the convention center are transformed into a crazy hub for attendees garbed as science fiction and comic book characters. The major Hollywood studios also promote film and televisions shows with celebrity panels and advanced screenings," explains Denise Mosgrove, director of communications for the San Diego Convention Center (SDCC). "This year the cast from Twilight was huge, as were appearances by dozens of celebs, including Johnny Depp promoting his latest film."
Logistically, the SDCC plans months in advance for this event. The convention center staff works closely with Comic-Con, so that the needs of attendees are met and even calls in four fire marshals to ensure everyone is safe and that pedestrian traffic moves smoothly.
A Blizzard of Attendees Gather in AnaheimThousands of gamers descended on the Anaheim Convention Center in California August 21-22 for BlizzCon, a celebration of the global player communities surrounding Blizzard Entertainment's Warcraft, Diablo, and StarCraft game universes. The two-day event includes question-and-answer panels featuring Blizzard Entertainment developers, social events for players and developers to meet one another, and hands-on gameplay featuring Blizzard Entertainment games. Gamers go to great lengths to dress up as their favorite characters during a costume competition.
All 20,000 tickets for the two-day event were sold within 15 minutes, reports David Meek, Anaheim Convention Center's manager. For those without a ticket, live coverage was available as a pay-per-view event and an internet stream.
This year's closing concert was headlined by heavy metal icon, Ozzy Osbourne. "Our goal with BlizzCon is to deliver an unforgettable weekend of entertainment, and we can't think of a better way to close out this year's show than having Ozzy rock the house," says Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment.
Gaming Euphoria in IndyIt was all fun and games during Gen Con Indy, the nation's largest annual consumer fantasy, electronic, sci-fi, and adventure game convention, which took place August 13-16 in Indianapolis' Indiana Convention Center.
Billed as "the best four days in gaming," Gen Con's attendees include hobby, game, and science-fiction enthusiasts who often dress the part of their favorite characters. It attracts more than 250 exhibitors and runs over 5,500 events during the course of the show.
Celebrating its 42nd year and going strong, Gen Con Indy is the quintessential "destination" for all types of gaming for all ages. Activities range from interactive gameplay and computer gaming to big-money hobby-related tournaments. Attendees participate in card games, board games, and live-action role- playing games.
Chris Gahl, associate director of communications for the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association, calls Gen Con Indy one of the city's most important events.
"This is our fourth-largest convention in terms of visitor spending for 2009. There was approximately $25.9 million in direct visitor spending over four days. That's a hefty boost to our economy," says Gahl. "Gen Con Indy is a perfect example of why we are doubling the size of our convention center. As this convention grows, we will grow with it."
Indianapolis has more than $3 billion in new tourism-related product coming online by 2011, including the convention center expansion and significant hotel growth.
Attendance for Gen Con Indy was about 28,000, on par with last year. Gahl attributes this stability in attendance during a sluggish economy to a wide range of spousal activities and the fact that Indianapolis is accessible to half of the country by car. Many incorporate the convention into a family vacation. Spousal activities included everything from belly dancing and self-defense classes, to lessons on making jewelry and beer, to walking tours of Indianapolis.
"Gen Con has been good for Indianapolis, and Indianapolis has been great for Gen Con," says Adrian Swartout, CEO of Seattle-based Gen Con LLC. "Our attendees love the city and how welcomed they are by everyone in the hotels, restaurants, and venues throughout the area."
Indianapolis hosted this conference for the first time in 2003 and has a contract through 2015.
It's a Bird ... It's a Plane ... No, It's Roswell's UFO FestivalIn July, the Roswell Convention & Civic Center in New Mexico was taken over by everything UFO during the 2009 Amazing Roswell UFO Festival.
The city celebrates its infamous connection to UFOs with an annual four-day program. Enthusiasts and skeptics gather to listen to guest speakers and authors, and there's an Alien Costume Contest and UFO Festival Parade. Believers say an alien craft crashed near the town in 1947.
This year's festival attracted thousands, says Renee Roach, the city's marketing director. Twelve area hotels reported a 90 percent occupancy rate of humans and aliens alike.
Originally published Sept. 1, 2009For more ideas, tips, and tools for better meetings and events,
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