2009 NACS Show Sees Strong Attendance

LAS VEGAS -- The attendance figures have been tallied for the 2009 NACS Show, and the results show a strong increase in the number convenience store channel professionals who came to the conference, held here Oct. 19-22.

A total of 22,524 people turned out for this year’s NACS Show, marking a 6 percent increase over 2008 figures, according to NACS. The number of buyer attendees -- retailers, wholesalers and distributors -- rose 16 percent to 8,584, the second-largest total ever for a NACS Show, the association stated.

“The strong attendance numbers at the NACS Show confirm that our offer resonates with the industry, especially during a tough economic climate,” NACS Vice Chairman of Convention and Events Dave Carpenter, of J.D. Carpenter Cos. Inc., said in a statement. “The NACS Show truly is the place to find new ideas, products and services that can change your business, whether in the standing-room-only attendance at many of the workshops, the dozens of networking events or on the world-class expo floor. The NACS Show is the show to bring your entire management team.”

In addition, 1,599 international delegates attended the 2009 NACS Show, which is a new record and 50 percent higher than last year, with more than one-third from South America, including nearly 300 attendees from Brazil.

“The feedback that we continue to receive from exhibitors is phenomenal,” NACS Supplier Board Chair Jennie Jones, of S&D Coffee Inc., said in a statement. “To experience double-digit growth in buyer attendance at a time when overall trade show attendance has sharply declined confirms that the global convenience retailing industry is robust and growing.”

The 2010 NACS Show will take place Oct. 5-8, in Atlanta.