The first major computer trade show in the U.S. COMDEX was founded by Sheldon Adelson and Richard Katzeff of the Interface Group and the first show was in 1979 in Las Vegas. Other locations followed. COMDEX was originally created for people in the trade, hence the "Computer Dealers Exposition," but it grew to embrace everyone as personal computers were exploding throughout the country. Starting out with 4,000 attendeees, the audience grew to more than 200,000 by the mid-1990s and became the premier venue for showing new products.
In its heyday, COMDEX Las Vegas was a spectacular event. Housed in two convention centers and several hotels, the waiting time for a shuttle bus between venues was legendary, although often a relief after walking the lengthy corridors. Today, CES is the major computer show and the lines have not gone away (see
CES).
Venues
In 1979, the first COMDEX in Las Vegas had 157 exhibitors and 4,000 attendees. By the turn of the century, it had grown to more than 2,000 exhibitors and 200,000 attendees in 1996. However, by 2003, attendance tapered off due to the dot-com bust.
The first New York COMDEX was held in 1981 with 11,000 attendees. Subsequent events were held in various locations in the U.S. and around the world, including Canada, Brazil, Argentina, India and Japan. COMDEX was a huge success.
Acquired by Softbank and Key3Media
In 1995, COMDEX was acquired by Softbank, which sold it to Key3Media Group six years later. After bankruptcy, Key3Media, renamed MediaLive International, canceled COMDEX 2004 in Las Vegas. COMDEX re-emerged as a virtual event in 2010 for a few years (see
COMDEX Virtual). See
Softbank and
trade shows.