Survey Says Trade Show's "Net Buying Influence" and "Total Buying Plan" Among Attendees Soars While National Average Dips

New York, NY – May 4, 2010– Exhibitor Magazine, the recognized leader in trade show and event management education, announced the results of its annual trade show survey and found that once again PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo was ranked third for exhibitor ROI, and attendee purchasing power. In addition, the survey ranked PDN PhotoPlus Expo first among all trade shows surveyed for "Total Buying Plans," a statistic that reflects the percentage of trade show attendees who plan to make purchases following the trade show. This marks the 3rd straight year PhotoPlus Expo has been ranked #1 in this category. The survey was conducted by Exhibit Surveys Inc., a market research firm that polled attendees from more than 40 U.S.-based trade shows before publishing its findings.

Although the survey found that attendance at all trade shows, in general, was down in 2009 and the cost per trade show visitor was up, it determined that trade shows continue to attract qualified buyers and influence their purchasing decisions and remains a good investment for companies.

On average, the survey found that "total buying plans" -- trade show attendees who plan to make a purchase within 12 months of the show -- fell to 47% while figures for PhotoPlus Expo were 82%.

The survey also revealed that 93% of all PhotoPlus Expo attendees had "net buying influence" or the ability to recommend or make final purchasing decisions. The survey average among all trade shows was 80%. Together, these responses place PhotoPlus Expo in the overall top percentile of trade shows with attendees most likely to act upon their purchase impulses based on what they see during the trade show.

"We are delighted to once again rank very high in Exhibitor Magazine's annual trade show survey," Jeff McQuilkin, Group Show Director for Nielsen Expositions, which owns the PDN PhotoPlus Expo trade show.

"People who attend our show are very passionate about their profession and the craft of photography and we fuel that passion with educational workshops and other programming, along with a trade show filled with some of the world's most recognized and respected brands of consumer electronics and photographic equipment. The largest contributing factor to our continued success, however, is our dedicated staff who exerts the same passion about photography as those who attend."

To review the complete survey, please visit:
http://www.exhibitoronline.com/exhibitormagazine/apr10/survey-says-trade-show-costs.asp

About PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo
Designed for professionals in the photographic and imaging industries, PDN PhotoPlus showcases the latest advances in photography, both traditional and digital. Held annually at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, attendees have the opportunity to explore an inspiring array of photography and imaging products and services - everything from image capture and color management to retouching and storage - all from the industry's leading manufacturers. The show also offers over 100 photography and imaging seminars and hands-on workshops taught by world-renowned experts with a focus on cutting-edge innovations in digital imaging products and techniques.

About Photo District News
Photo District News (PDN), the award-winning monthly magazine for the professional photographer, has been covering the professional photographic industry for over two decades. Every month, PDN delivers unbiased news and analysis, interviews, and portfolios of the latest photographic work. PDN delivers the information photographers need to survive in a competitive business - from marketing and business advice to legal issues, photographic techniques, new technologies, and more.

PDNonline covers breaking news stories and delivers in-depth features on the photo industry, including interviews and profiles, reports on new products both analog and digital, and information on useful sources for professional photographers. PDNOnline's photo essays and galleries explore the work of photography's masters and today's emerging talent. The PDN family of web sites-including Photoserve, Photosource and PDN Edu-is an unparalleled source of information and inspiration for professional photographers, photo buyers, visual creatives, photo students and their instructors.

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