LAS VEGAS—The annual NGA Show, held Feb. 11-14, continues to break attendance records.
The annual trade show and conference for independent grocers increased its total attendance to more than 3,100, with retailer and wholesalers up 12% over last year, said Laura Strange, vice president of industry relations, communications and marketing for the Arlington, Va.,-based National Grocers Association.
The trade show floor featured about 350 booths, with a 36-booth pavilion put together by the Produce Marketing Association.
While many of the retailers walking the floor aren't specifically looking for fresh produce, it's an opportunity to connect with accounts that can be hard to reach, exhibitors said.
Representatives from Melissa's World Variety Produce, Los Angeles, met with a lot of retailers on the show floor, said Raul Gallegos, vice president of sales.
Kent Beesley of the Idaho Potato Commission, Eagle, said he and the other retail representatives usually walk away from the show with new accounts.
It's also been a good opportunity to connect for the National Watermelon Promotion Board, said Juliemar Rosado, director of retail operations and international marketing for the Orlando, Fla.-based organization.
Rosado said the NWPB has been exhibiting for several years.
“The first few times we were here, we met with retailers who didn't know we existed,” she said. “Now they're coming back for more from us.”
San Diego awaits
After several consecutive years in Las Vegas, the NGA Show is headed to the beach, and has a new trade show joint venture with Clarion Events. NGA remains an active owner in the new venture, with Clarion offering technology and expertise to build a more seamless education program and expo floor experience for both exhibitors and attendees.
Next year's show is scheduled for Feb. 24-27 at the San Diego Convention Center, a venue which president and CEO Peter Larkin says will offer exhibitors a larger space to branch out.