At a press conference wrapping up the 2011 International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) held Oct. 5-8 in Orlando, Fla., organizers said the show was a resounding success and soundly beat last year’s show in terms of attendance. Here are some of the numbers that offer a glimpse at the size and scope of the 2011 event:
• 2011 attendance 15 percent higher than 2010
• 40 percent of audience from Southeastern U.S.
• 40 percent of attendees were first-time attendee
• 50,000 square feet of total booth space (75,000 square feet total floor space)
• 239 exhibitor
• 1,000 conference (education) attendees
• 20,021 total tickets sold
• 89 conference sessions
• 300 collision repairers and 125 service professionals attended industry forums
• 130 body shop owners attended MSO Symposium
• 800 attendees at General Session
• 500 attendees at Welcome Reception
According to ASA President Ron Pyle, the MSO Symposium was such a huge hit that they’re going to make it a "permanent feature" of future NACE shows.
The 2012 show will be held in New Orleans, but Pyle said NACE eventually will return to Las Vegas on a rotational basis. "However, the show will not be the same (as previous years) when it is in Las Vegas," he said.
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