Publishers Weekly reported that 22,366 “verified” attendees walked through the doors at BEA this year. I’m not entirely sure how accurate that figure is since some of the ushers were less than enthusiastic about scanning convention goers badges. Some were tyrannical in making you stand in line, show your badge, and get scanned. But others just stood there and let the masses pass through, unscanned.
Publishers Marketplace reported, in addition to the verified number, that 31,971 people registered for the conference.
The verified attendance figures places the DC event squarely in between the showings from other cities. While down from last year’s attendance of 27,421 in New York City, the attendance was an increase from the 18,213 people who attended the 2004 convention in Chicago.