Trade Show Company Announces It Will Join Trade Associations, Finally Give Back

In a move executives called “long overdue, and also cheap,” the company behind one of the industry’s largest annual trade shows announced Monday that it will join several industry trade associations for the first time in its four-decade history.

“Look, we’ve been suckling at the industry’s teat for 40 years,” said Consolidated Expo Holdings CEO Bart Lindqvist. “I think we should do the bare minimum to give back.”

The company, which charges exhibitors $11,000 for a 10-by-10 booth, $900 for an electrical outlet, $340 to rent carpet, and $38 for a hot dog, said it had “been meaning to get involved” but was waiting for the right moment, which internal documents identify as after the industry had already done all the work.

Under the plan, the company will join each association at its lowest membership tier, typically called “Friend,” and will send one intern to one committee meeting per year. The intern will be instructed to take notes and leave before anyone asks for volunteers.

To cover the cost of the memberships, the company will add a new “Industry Stewardship Fee” of $450 to every exhibitor invoice.

“This is about giving back,” said Lindqvist. “And the best way to give back is to take a little more first, so you have something to give.”

Association leaders cautiously welcomed the announcement. “We’re glad they’re joining,” said one, who asked not to be named because she has a booth next year. “We’re less glad that we’re paying for it.”

At press time, the company had issued a press release about its new commitment, available to exhibitors for $75.