They say the only thing constant in life is change. If that’s true, then this past week has been full of constants. First of all, two shows have announced cancellations:
- The Motivation Show, a long-time staple at McCormick Place in Chicago, will not take place in 2014. It seems there’s just not enough interest from potential exhibitors, which is a drastic change from the days when more than 2,000 exhibits filled McCormick and the show ranked among the top 200 largest in the country. (On a personal note, I’ve attended the show several times and it was one of the first I ever attended at McCormick, so I’ll always have special memories.) Meanwhile the Motivation Show Las Vegas, which was announced last year, will now be merged into the PPAI Expo.
- The General Services Administration (GSA) is once again in the news over a meeting gone awry, but this time it’s in response to the recent government spending cuts. The GSA Training and Expo, which was scheduled for Orlando in May, has also been canceled due to the “current fiscal climate,” according the the agency.
In addition, Nielsen Expositions is now seeking buyers. According to the Wall Street Journal, the organizer of such shows as Outdoor Retailer, Interbike, and Globalshop is predicted to have a $1 billion price tag.
Meanwhile, the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) has announced a name change to the Specialty Food Association. Their new branding will debut at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City this June.
