Will SGMA’s Super Show Return To Orlando After ’07?

The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association’s Super Show “wrapped up a successful three-day meeting” yesterday at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, and SGMA Dir of Communications Mike May said that the city is “in the running for future gatherings” in ’07 and beyond, according to Jerry Jackson of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. Super Show organizers last year said that “if logistical problems were not resolved this year, Orlando could lose the event.” May: “There were far more positives this year than last year.” The show has a contract to return to Orlando in ’06, and May added that “things went so well this year that Orlando definitely would compete with Atlanta, Las Vegas, Dallas and others for future dates.” So far only Chicago and other northern locations have been ruled out. Jackson notes next year’s event being held January 21-23 “could help attendance by distancing it” from the holiday season. While May had estimated that attendance “probably would be at least 40,000” for this year’s event, he would not say how many actually attended the event, “which has seen its numbers dwindle” in recent years. Convention Center officials said that they “had a written estimate of 50,000 [in attendance], from show organizers, shortly before the event began” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 1/20).