As the 2010 Springtime Expo came to a conclusion, nearly 4,000 meeting and industry professionals covered the floor at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center during the largest one-day meeting in the hospitality industry, held May 27.
Attendees walked away enriched with new knowledge on meetings management from the education sessions, and new business contacts and solutions from the expo hall.
This year, the total number of 3,908 participants included 2,030 attendees and 1,878 exhibitors who represented 538 exhibiting companies. The ratio at the expo hall was a solid 52% of buyers (association staff) to 48% sellers (industry partners).
The evening before Springtime, nearly 500 young professionals and those young at heart attended the second annual Springtime UnPlugged reception on the west lawn of the Washington Historical Society, preceded by a free education session for young professionals with Jackie Norris, senior advisor to the Corporation for National and Community Service.
At the opening brunch keynote session, Janine Driver, founder, president and lead instructor for the Body Language Institute, spoke about nonverbal communications and how people express their thoughts and feelings without saying a word. For the first time, two education sessions were added to the afternoon portion of the expo to add additional value for meeting professionals.
“There is nothing better than networking at face-to-face events like Springtime,” said ASAE & The Center President and CEO John H. Graham IV, CAE.
“Springtime is the biggest one-day show in the meetings industry and a great opportunity for exhibitors and members of the association community to connect, develop new contacts and learn about new association services."
"With lots of great energy throughout the day, this year’s event was clearly a success. Thanks to everyone for the continued support of this pivotal gathering.”
