NBM Show Comes to Cleveland for the First Time

Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland

This summer, more than 3,500 printing professionals came to Cleveland, Ohio, for the National Business Media (NBM Show), June 15–16. The two-day event showcases supplies and services in the sign-making industry — from traditional embroidery to digital printing.

“The NBM Show is produced several times a year around the country,” Susan Hueg, vice president of NBM Events, told Convene. “In 2018, we will produce eight events — Cleveland was number four.” Other cities in 2018 include Portland, Long Beach, and Indianapolis.

The Huntington Convention Center was the ideal space for what NBM needed for the 2018 Show, Hueg said. “Everything is new and state-of-the-art,” she said of the venue, which features a 225,000-square-foot exhibit hall divisible into three spaces. “I loved the ease of move-in/out and the convention center and the Destination Cleveland staff were exceptional. Also, we liked the location and size of the meeting rooms, particularly their proximity to the exhibit hall.”

Conveniently located in Downtown Cleveland, the Huntington Convention Center, along with the Global Center for Health Innovation, offers 410,000 total square feet of meeting space, including the exhibit space, 41 breakout rooms, a 32,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom divisible into three spaces, and an 11,000-square-foot Atrium Ballroom. In addition to the state-of-the-art space, the venue’s central location was a big draw for NBM’s exhibitors and attendees.

“There were plenty of hotel choices within walking distance of the convention center,” Hueg said about the facility, which is connected to the 600-room Hilton Cleveland Downtown and within walking distance of nearly 5,000 hotel rooms. “Our clients, exhibitors, and attendees especially liked the proximity to restaurants, nightlife, sporting locations, shopping, the light rail, and the airport.”

The best part of the NBM Show in Cleveland was the universally positive attendee feedback. Overwhelmingly, delegates enjoyed their time at the Huntington Convention Center and couldn’t wait for the next NBM event. “Honestly, I really enjoyed the whole show,” attendee Stacy Hirsch, a graphic designer at Weitz Sign Company, said. “I look forward to next year already.”