We are now only a day away from the US Youth Soccer adidas Workshop in Pittsburgh this weekend. Second only to the NSCAA convention (held in mid-January), the US Youth convention attracts attendees from across the country.
Each year Demosphere attends a number of national and state workshops and each year it appears the theme and audience change from event to event.
This year, US Youth Soccer has made a push to attract more local administrators to the event. The main attraction for these folks is a new "Kick Zone", a large reserved playing area in the middle of the exhibit hall. In year's past, field exhibitions have taken place in separate areas that were not heavily advertised.
The focus on the "Kick Zone" appears directly correlated to the declining number of vendors exhibiting their services at the show. While Demosphere has exhibited consistently for a number of years, other vendors have realized less of a value from the event.
"Strength in numbers" is helpful at large events like these. A smaller vendor exhibition area is, on the whole, less significant for attendees and gives them less of a reason to stop by to browse.
In reviewing some marketing literature on the US Youth Soccer website, they state that "over 200 exhibitors" will be there. However, when looking at an updated vendor list published on 2/1, the number of vendors is around 95.
We'll soon find out the impact of the "Kick Zone" and whether or not it has drawing power in the greater Pittsburgh area this year. If it does turn out to be popular, the question will change from, "Why haven't we done the 'Kick Zone' before" to, "Why was the 'Kick Zone' only open one out of the three days of the convention."
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