The number of exhibitors also fell, and although the attendee count actually increased slightly, a special CEG task force recommended the public be invited to the '92 Summer show. The immediate results, from the attendance perspective, were astounding. In addition to the 51,850 trade attendees participating in '92, another 98,720 consumers also came through the doors. That means that more than 65 percent of the total crowd were public attendees. And the public loved all the new equipment, video games and new technology.
Trade shows walk a fine line when admitting the public, however.
Despite '92's attendee success, the exhibitor and square footage numbers continued to fall. Consumer promotional efforts were scaled back, and the public attendance fell to 37,700. Finally, this year CEG decided to close the Summer show to the public, and the entire event has been canceled for 1995 in favor of the Winter CES, which continues to expand each January in Las Vegas. That means handling elements such as consumer advertising and promotions, general ticket sales, entertainment, scheduling, crowd control and on-site services, among others. A successful combination crowd might require a larger show space.