More than 1,100 attendees, 389 buyers at 2023 Summit, says Michael Payne
Michael Payne, President & CEO of IAADFS
On April 19, the final day of 2023 Summit of the Americas, Michael Payne, President & CEO of IAADFS, gave a press conference saying there was an "encouraging" increase in attendance at this year's event compared to 2022.
Overall there were 1,178 attendees, a 34% increase from last year's 878 attendees. There were 389 buyers (vs. 269 in 2022), including both non-member and members, making up 33% of total attendees. Payne called this 45% increase in buyers compared to 2022 an "important ratio" for exhibitors. There were 77 exhibitors, a 71% increase on last year's 45. Payne says there was also an uptick in Canadian and South American attendees, as well as Caribbean and Latin American buyers, calling it a "positive change" for those regions.
“I am pretty happy with these numbers,” Payne said.
The Association has so far received mostly good feedback about the event, including praise for the exhibit hall and meeting space.
IAADFS will host the Summit at the Palm Beach County Convention Center again next year from April 14 to 17. The Association is holding the space for 2025, but there is no official contract yet. The location and dates are still to be determined.
Payne says IAADFS will send the annual post-event survey shortly and that the Association looks forward to receiving everyone's feedback and building momentum for Summit of the Americas 2024.
