The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) last week finalized a plan to more frequently hold the SGIA Expo in Las Vegas. The new schedule, which will take effect in the fall of 2018, will allow the Expo to spend two years in Las Vegas, followed by one year in a popular East Coast destination, such as Orlando, where this year's Expo will be held (October 23–25, 2013). SGIA will continue to hold the annual Exposition in the fall.

SGIA, which is anticipating a strong Expo in October, with 94 percent of the show floor sold out and exceedingly high pre-registration numbers, initiated the new rotation schedule based on both attendee and exhibitor feedback indicating that Vegas was a popular location for the successful event. It was overwhelmingly approved by the SGIA Board of Directors last week at the annual board meeting.

"We’ve definitely found that the Vegas [SGIA Expos] are very successful for turn out and real leads," said Operations Manager, Jamie Tyer of Media One Digital Imaging Solutions.

Las Vegas has long been a successful destination for the industry, with record-breaking attendance of more than 21,000 registrants in 2012. In May, SGIA was awarded Trade Show Executive's Fastest 50 Double Header — the Gold 100 show with the highest Fastest 50 growth for its blended average growth rate of 21 percent — for the 2012 Las Vegas SGIA Expo.

"We’ve heard from many attendees and exhibitors that they enjoy Las Vegas as a host city for the SGIA Expo," said SGIA CEO and President, Michael Robertson. "In response, we’ve adjusted the Expo rotation to visit Las Vegas more frequently."

SGIA will open 2014 SGIA Expo (Las Vegas; October 22-24) booth registration to current 2013 Expo exhibitors in September.