Some familiar, and similar faces, were part of Stage Expo 1990 held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Stage Expo has grown significantly since that event.

Photo/USITT Archive

by Helen Willard
Stage Expo Sales Manager

When the Board of Directors meets each spring and fall, the Board Report includes a Stage Expo exhibit space sales report. Looking back at the past 20 years of Stage Expo, the steady growth of the show is evident.

From Oakland in 1986 to Toronto in 2005, the number of exhibitors grew 73 percent and the square feet of exhibit space sold increased by 53 percent. One of the reasons for the extraordinary growth in the number of exhibitors is the advent of the commercial and non-commercial tables.

The handful of tables which started out lining a hallway at the conference have become an integral part of Stage Expo, with more than 50 colleges and universities represented each year. Some colleges take two tables to promote their programs, while others step up to a booth to maximize their display space.

A recent trend is for some booth exhibitors to select an exhibit space location in close proximity to the tables, since they recognize the importance of the educational market for their products.

Total Number Of Exhibitors And Square Footage Sold 1986-2006

Year	Location	Exhibitors	Square feet
1986	Oakland	106	17,000
1987	Minneapolis	106	17,000
1988	Anaheim	113	22,500
1989	Calgary	101	20,000
1990	Milwaukee	112	20,500
1991	Boston	103	18,200
1992	Seattle	103	16,100
1993	Wichita	103	15,550
1994	Nashville	107	15,650
1995	Las Vegas	121	18,900
1996	Fort Worth	112	16,150
1997	Pittsburgh	126	18,250
1998	Long Beach	128	20,700
1999	Toronto	148	24,400
2000	Denver	145	22,650
2001	Long Beach	154	24,800
2002	New Orleans	151	22,400
2003	Minneapolis	159	24,100
2004	Long Beach	168	24,700
2005	Toronto	183	26,000
2006	Louisville	113	19,800*
* Louisville 2006 numbers are preliminary, all others are final.

The preliminary Louisville numbers indicate that Stage Expo 2006 is on track to meet or exceed the record number of exhibitors and square feet of exhibit space set in Toronto.

Thanks to the generous size of Exhibit Halls 2CD in Louisville, more exhibit space can be added if necessary. If there are exhibitors you would like to see at Stage Expo 2006 in Louisville, but who are not listed on our web site, call Helen Willard at 800-398-EXPO (3976) or send an e-mail message to hpwillard@aol.com.

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