Chicago –  Reflecting the increasing vibrancy of retail and the continued importance of connecting face-to-face, GlobalShop brought together thousands of retailers, designers, marketers and suppliers in Chicago on April 16-18. The retail design industry’s largest annual tradeshow and conference grew in attendance and exhibit space for the third consecutive year.

More than 14,000 industry professionals walked through the doors of McCormick Place West for GlobalShop. Nearly 7,400 qualified attendees representing the world’s top brands and retailers came together, marking 15 percent attendance growth year-over-year. They gathered to see new innovations on an expo floor spanning 195,000 sq. ft., featuring 649 of the industry’s top suppliers.

GlobalShop Show Director Tim Fearney said that 2013 marks the third consecutive year the show has seen double-digit growth in qualified attendance. Attendance grew by 11 percent in both 2011 and 2012. In 2012 GlobalShop was named the Fastest Growing Trade Show by Attendance by the Trade Show News Network (TSNN).

“New events and innovative features on the expo floor attracted a number of attendees this year who either hadn’t experienced GlobalShop before, or hadn’t been to the show in several years,” Fearney said. “They were treated to a packed exhibit hall with six pavilions and showcases highlighting different aspects of retail design. These included the Design Inspiration Showcase for retail design firms and the Retail Design Collective Showcase for suppliers with Manhattan showrooms.”

Attendees also took part in conference sessions and special events where they learned about new trends in visual merchandising, shopper marketing and store design. New events in 2013 included the Power Lunch hosted by Nielsen SVP of Consumer & Shopper Insights Todd Hale, and a Brand Breakfast featuring a VIP panel of executives moderated by POPAI President Richard Winter.

On the busy expo floor, several standout exhibitors made their presence known. The Best of GlobalShop product showcase area gave attendees an opportunity to vote for their favorite innovation at the show, and they selected Lucite International Inc.’s LuciteLux Impressions product as the Best of GlobalShop winner.

Other notable exhibitors included the winners of the official Outstanding Booth Awards, selected by the editors of DDI Magazine. Los Angeles-based CNL Mannequins was selected as the Best in Show booth winner for GlobalShop 2013. Located in the Visual Merchandising Show pavilion, the booth's eye-catching design exuded a glamorous, swanky feel. Additional Outstanding Booth Award winners include: JPMA Global Inc., Bierson Corp., GAR Products, Manex USA and Judith von Hopf. Inc.

GlobalShop 2014 will take place at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas on March 18-20. For more information, visit www.globalshop.org.

Source: GlobalShop