Dana Meyers of Tradeshow Week examines the Trade Show Projections & Statistics for California – Industry statistics based on organizer projections supplied to TSW,

• A total of 482 trade shows are scheduled to take place in California in 2009, a 1-percent increase, compared with 2008’s 478 shows.

• Collectively, trade shows held in the area are projected to span nearly 58 million net square feet, feature 166,000 exhibiting companies and attract 4.4 million attendees. These figures give the area 8.2 percent of the U.S. market share of trade show exhibit space, 9.8-percent share of exhibiting companies and 5.5-percent share of attendees.

• Despite holding steady in terms of total number of trade shows, year-over-year comparisons reveal shows held in California will decrease in size according to all three indexes measured. The number of trade show attendees at the average show is expected to decrease by 15 percent in 2009, while net square footage and exhibitor figures reflect decreases of 7.5 percent and 4.9 percent, respectively, when compared with projected figures from the previous year.

• The average trade show booth space will encompass 348 net sq. ft., down from 358 net sq. ft. this year.

• The average business-to-business tradeshow will span 113,048 net sq. ft., host 322 companies and draw 7,244 attendees.

• The average hybrid show is expected to have 263 exhibiting companies spread across 78,171 net sq. ft. and attract 7,258 attendees.

• The average consumer trade show is expected to span 108,417 net sq. ft. and feature 209 exhibiting firms with 14,040 attendees.

Industry profileB-to-B shows will make up 52 percent of all the trade shows held in California. Consumer trade shows will account for 26 percent, followed by combination shows with 22 percent.

The state will host 56 health care trade shows, making it the No. 1 industry based on number of events. Tying for second are computers and computer applications and home furnishings and interior design, with 30 trade shows each.

Top cities and venuesSan Diego outshines all other California cities as the most popular destination with 87 events slated to take place in 2009. Following not-so-close behind is San Francisco with 63 shows and Los Angeles with 55. San Diego is the only California city to make the Top 10 list for North America, according to the Tradeshow Week Data Book, with a No. 7 ranking.

The San Diego Convention Center earns top billing as the venue with the most trade shows, 46. The Los Angeles Convention Center claims the No. 2 spot with 29 shows, and the Anaheim Convention Center nips at its heals with 28.

Top months for Trade ShowsStaying consistent with the rest of the U.S., the first quarter is the busiest season for California with 164 trade shows held between January and March.

March leads the way with 59 shows, and February comes in a close second with 58. October creeps in as the third most popular month with 53, followed by January with 47.

ConclusionWith five convention center expansions and plans for a new facility – the Gaylord Resort & Convention Center in Chula Vista – either proposed or under construction, California is looking to further expand its offerings to the tradeshow industry.

Projected statistics are voluntarily supplied by shows during TSW Data Book data collection and updated throughout the year as information becomes available. Shows submitting projections vary year to year, which may affect region totals.