Mid-Am Named Among 50 Fastest Growing Trade Shows

The Mid-America Horticultural Trade Show (Mid-Am) was recently named one of the fastest growing trade shows 2005 by Tradeshow Week, the global exhibition industry magazine published by Reed Business Information. The award, the Tradeshow Week Fastest 50, is the list of the 50 fastest growing shows in the United States and Canada. The Mid-Am Trade Show will be honored with 49 other top shows at the 3rd Annual Tradeshow Week Fastest 50 event in Las Vegas, Oct. 28 through 30.

Mid-Am won the Fastest 50 award for its 2004 show, which was the first year the show was held at Lakeside Center at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago. The Tradeshow Week Fastest 50 shows are selected based on 50 percent total net square footage growth and 50 percent growth between 2002 and 2004. The judging team is comprised of the editorial and research staff at Tradeshow Week.

“Mid-Am is very excited about making the Fastest 50 list,” said Rand Baldwin, managing director of Mid-Am. “This awards is a testament to our loyal exhibitors, many of whom expanded their presence at Mid-Am when we moved to a larger facility. We’d especially like to thank the thousands of buyers who attend Mid-Am every year. Their support has made Mid-Am a true success story.”

The Mid-Am Trade Show has been steadily growing for 33 years, attracting thousands of growers, landscape service providers, retailers and suppliers to Chicago each January. Since its beginnings at the Arlington Park Convention & Exposition Center in January 1973, Mid-Am has outgrown a number of homes, moving from Arlington park to the O’Hare Exposition Center in 1977, to the Hyatt Regency Chicago in 1981 and to Navy Pier in 1996. Mid-Am outgrew Navy Pier and moved to Lakeside Center at McCormick Place in 2004, enabling the show to grow by more than 65 percent.

“The diverse group of winning shows demonstrates the continued growth and opportunity in the industry,” said Tradeshow Week Publisher Adam Schaffer. “I look forward to congratulating the winners, all of whom represent the best and the brightest professional talent.”

Mid-Am will feature a new look for the 2006 show, scheduled to take place Jan. 18 to 20 at McCormick Place. The show’s theme, “Breaking New Ground” will be evident throughout the show, which will include scenic garden lounges, highlighting the latest plant and garden ideas on display, daily product demonstrations and more. For more information, visit Mid-Am’s Web site at www.midam.org.