Kick start.

The 2008 National Soccer Expo surpassed expectations, drawing more than 37,000 people to the Los Angeles Convention Center on Jan. 5 and 6.

This year, brands such as Nike had displays among the 130 soccer-related exhibitors. Some non-soccer consumer brands have also started to exhibit at the show, driven by the larger crowds. One example is television manufacturer Panasonic, which had a display at this year's event.

"Next year, all the cellular companies and flat-screen television manufacturers and any consumer brand that want to reach more than 40,000 people in Southern California will be there," said John Weinerth, chief executive for Cal South, the non-profit organization that conducts the expo.

Staff reporter David Nusbaum can be reached at [phone], ext. 236, or at [e-mail].