The Super Show: Say good-night Gracie

Although only the first of three days of the last-ever Super Show was complete, attendees and exhibitors were already talking about how the show’s demise, as well as the mere shadow of its former self it now was, was a pity. In a noon “State of the Industry” luncheon address by SGMA President Tom Cove, he also took a moment to eulogize the end of the show.

“This is the last Super Show after 21 years of success,” Cove said. He thanked everyone from management to attendees to exhibitors who had given so much over the years.

“We applaud them….and the leadership they have shown,” said Cove to a small lunchtime group gathered for the annual talk. “We can look back and say, ‘This is a tremendous success.'”

Show owners SGMA had announced earlier this month a new show strategy that would pull the rug on The Super Show (Click here to see a Jan. 3 SNEWS® story, “SGMA’s future show strategy ousts The Super Show”). The trade event, which had formerly been a must-see, must-attend extravaganza of shows, celebrities and new products, had in recent years seen plummeting attendance on both sides of the aisle. On Jan. 23, the first day of the show, SGMA staff members were wearing pins blinking and flashing that promoted Las Vegas, the venue of the first of its two new events to begin in 2007.

SNEWS® will do a full write-up in the next week about the show, who was there, what was seen, what happened, and what was said. Look for that more detailed report in your Feb. 6 SNEWS® News Digest. Meanwhile, our hats are off to the end of what had been such a vital part of the sports industry during years of huge growth. May you rest in peace.