ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Whether you’re new to the NACS Show or returning for the tenth time, meeting new friends and reacquainting yourself with old ones is one of the best things about this convention. “We strive to plan events that attendees perceive as ‘must attend’ because they enable peer-to-peer connections and are fun and engaging opportunities to enjoy the company of other attendees before their dinner plans later,” said Bob Hughes, VP of Supplier Relations & Expositions at NACS.
This year, NACS has made it doubly easy to find the time to mix and mingle with thousands of your industry peers with two networking opportunities. “Our primary focus is to find an exciting venue that will give our attendees an opportunity to network with their peers. It has to be a location that allows attendees to move freely and easily without too many obstacles in the way, but also needs to be intriguing enough for attendees to want to participate,” Hughes said.
The fun starts with the NACS Show Kick-Off Party on Tuesday evening, Oct. 18, at Restaurant Row, which is just down the block from the Georgia World Congress Center. “We have used hotel and convention center ballrooms in the past, but the excitement is harder to create in that type of environment,” he said. “We chose Restaurant Row because of its ease of networking. The flow of Restaurant Row, with its walkways and connections, makes it easier for attendees to meet up with friends while trying a variety of different foods and cocktails at the many restaurant options. Also, proximity to the convention center makes the location an easy transition from afternoon education sessions to an evening of fun with their peers.”
On Wednesday evening, Oct. 19, attendees may attend The Hall of Fame Event, to be held—where else—at the College Football Hall of Fame. “This venue opened in August 2014, which makes it new to NACS as the last time we visited Atlanta was in 2013,” Hughes explained. “Because of its newness, we are very excited to host this event here. We feel that the venue will be especially attractive and of interest to NACS Show attendees, who will be able to explore various areas of the Hall of Fame, as well as learn the history of college football while mixing and mingling with their colleagues and peers. Again, proximity helps as well since it is connected to the Georgia World Congress Center.”
For both events, the primary focus is to give attendees opportunities to network and visit with their peers. “They can expect easy, comfortable and fun events that allow them to mix and mingle with other NACS Show attendees from around the world,” he said.
Both evening events are included for all attendees with their full registration. For attendees registered as "booth personnel only," party tickets are $90 each night. The 2016 NACS Show takes place October 18-21 in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center. Register today!