A fixture at the NCAA Convention since 2006, the NCAA Trade Show is expected to grow again for the 2008 version in Nashville, Tennessee. The event will be January 11-13 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.

Since the inaugural show in Indianapolis, exhibitors have praised the NCAA Trade Show as a place to make valuable connections with decision-makers in intercollegiate athletics. Delegates also have cited the trade show as a helpful addition to the Convention, allowing them to complete business with vendors while also attending to the business of the Association.

The show has grown from 60 exhibitors in 2006 to 80 in 2007. Organizers for 2008 believe they will surpass last year’s total.

Architectural firms, bleacher and chair-back manufacturers, turf companies, awards-makers, apparel companies, athletics-equipment suppliers and NCAA corporate champions, partners and official licensees typically are among the exhibitors. New at this year’s trade show will be a kiosk operated by MainGate, Inc., which will allow delegates and other attendees to purchase NCAA merchandise.

Another highlight of this year’s show is an exhibit from the NCAA publishing staff showcasing the Association’s new Champion magazine and providing a retrospective of the printed NCAA News. The booth also provides kiosks for attendees to view the new online edition of The NCAA News and Champion magazine, as well as sign up for NCAA News Direct, a daily and weekly newsletter e-mailed to registrants’ inboxes.

The trade show reception will be Saturday, January 12, after the opening business session.
Advance registration is required to guarantee space, and space is assigned according to a placement system that gives first consideration to past exhibitors and NCAA corporate champions, partners and licensees. The registration fee ranges from $2,000-$3,500 depending on booth size.
A variety of other sponsorship opportunities at the Convention are available to trade show vendors, including additional signage, escalator banners, floor decals, column wraps, handouts and on-site communication.

For more information about the 2008 NCAA Trade Show, contact Alison Reese Polk at Host Communications at Alison.polk@hostcommunications.com or visit http://www.ncaatradeshow.com/.

Trade show hours
(Ryman Exhibit Hall 4B)
Friday, January 11, 1-6 p.m.
Saturday, January 12, 2–4 p.m.
Trade show reception, Saturday, January 12, after the opening
business session.
Sunday, January 13, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.