The number of stores represented grew around 8% from 2015, making back a drop of around the same size last year. But the number of retailer badges, at 613, was down from the 682 issued two years ago in 2014 (see “Over 1300 at GAMA Trade Show”), the last time a number was released.
How is attendance going up as retailer attendance flags? One group that’s growing is attendees from outside the U.S.; international attendees were up 8.8% this year, according to GAMA.
The mood at the show was positive, according to Ward. “The energy level was very high on the floor, in the seminars, and during the manufacturer presentations,” he said. “It seemed that members at all levels were very pleased with the programming and networking this year.”