In a 2014 survey of more than 126 show managers, Expo Magazine ranked Phoenix No. 2 as the most popular destination to hold trade shows and events, right behind Las Vegas.
Phoenix’s rise to the top of the list came as a surprise. Publishers indicated, “No. 2 on the list of favored cities to hold a trade show in this year is Phoenix, but if show managers had been asked the same question 10 years ago, they say it would have ranked only No. 5. That may be in large part because of the expansion of the Phoenix Convention Center and the development of several new hotels in downtown Phoenix that has taken place over the last decade.”
Association show managers comprised 51 percent of the survey respondents, of which 31 percent plan shows that need 200,000 square feet or more of event space. The show managers used several criteria to rank destinations including ease of access, numerous flights in and out of the city, venue size, cost and reasonable hotel accommodations for attendees.
The top eight destinations on the list include: 1. Las Vegas; 2. Phoenix; 3. Chicago; 4. Orlando; 5. (tie) Atlanta, Boston and New York; 6. (tie) Anaheim and Philadelphia; 7. San Diego; and 8. San Francisco.
Since the completion of the Phoenix Convention Center expansion project, which tripled its size, the facility is now able to accommodate more than 80 percent of the convention meetings market and was ranked a top 10 U.S. convention center by Business Review USA.
The Phoenix Convention Center, which contributes a positive economic impact to the city of Phoenix and state of Arizona, welcomed its one millionth visitor in 2013 equating to nearly $1.5 billion in direct spending to the local economies. The center has hosted many notable events including the NBA All-Star Jamfest, WWE Fan Axxess, MLB All-Star Fanfest, National Rifle Association, the VFW National Convention and the U.S. Green Building Council.
The facility is beginning preparations to host the 2015 Super Bowl Media Center and NFL Experience.