2016 TSNN Awards Top 50 Fastest-growing Shows Unveiled

May 12, 2016

For the seventh year in row, Trade Show News Network will hold its prestigious and original TSNN Awards program that honors the top fastest-growing shows in attendance and net square footage Oct. 28-30 in Atlantic City, N.J.

The list of 50 shows that will be feted during the three-day, celebration-filled weekend can be found listed below and also HERE

“The Top 50 fastest-growing show winners were chosen by their show’s growth rate between 2013-2015 in attendance and net square footage,” said TSNN President and Editor-in-Chief Rachel Wimberly.

She added, “We are really excited to fete all of the winners for an incredible three-day weekend celebration of the 2016 TSNN Awards in Atlantic City!”

During the three-day weekend celebration in Atlantic City, the top association and for-profit fastest-growing shows in net square footage and top association and for-profit fastest-growing shows in attendance will be celebrated during the TSNN Awards Gala, along with the overall fastest-growing show in each category.

“Congratulations to this year’s well-deserved TSNN Award winners. Atlantic City is thrilled to serve as this year’s host, and we are excited to be putting together a fun-packed weekend filled with entertainment, terrific speakers and outstanding cuisine that you will find memorable and that you will definitely enjoy,” said Jim Wood, president and CEO, Meet AC.

The top 25 winners in net square growth from 2013 to 2015 cover a wide range of industries, such as consumer electronics, cattle and digital signage.

The top 25 winners in overall attendance growth from 2013 to 2015 also are a diverse mix of industries, including jewelry, BBQs and solar power.

The 2016 TSNN Awards event highlights include an opening night reception at the famous Palm Restaurant with a Roaring 20’s Costume Party and plenty of surprises in store.

The next day will be the TSNN Awards Conference, with a “State of the Industry” session with Julia Ward Smith, chair of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, and Tony Calanca, chair of the Society of Independent Show Organizers.

There are a few other sessions on tap for the conference as well, which is Oct. 29 at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

The gala awards evening, which will be held at the new Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center, will celebrate the 50 fastest-growing shows in attendance and net square footage, as well as a special “Industry Icon Award” honoree and TSNN’s “Best of Show” award, celebrating shows that stand out for their innovation.

In addition, The Expo Group’s “Show Manager of the Year Awards” will be held during the 2016 TSNN Awards and will honor five show managers from different-sized shows in the industry.

Harry Hurley, host of WPG Talk Radio 1450 "Hurley in the Morning" in Atlantic City, will be the emcee of the 2016 TSNN Awards Gala Celebration.

The next morning at the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel for Sunday Brunch will be a very special guest speaker, Miss America, who will talk to attendees about her first few weeks after being crowned at the Miss America Pageant Sept. 11.

The TSNN Awards is proud to be partnered with awards co-founder The Expo Group, as well as city sponsor, Meet AC.

Additional sponsors in Atlantic City include Venue Sponsor: Atlantic City Convention Center; Hotel Sponsor: Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel; F&B Sponsor: Spectra; AV Sponsor, PSAV; Opening Night Sponsor, The Palm Restaurant; Gala Sponsor, Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center; Transportation Sponsor: Production Transport; Presenting Sponsors: Wyndham Jade, Ungerboeck Software International; Gold Sponsors: ASP, a2z, Inc., Experient, Convention Data Services; Silver Sponsors: Expocad, Core-Apps, Helms Briscoe, Shepard Exposition Services, Coyne Public Relations; Photography Sponsor: The Photo Group; Video Sponsor: Convention News Television (CNTV).

HERE is a full list of the sponsors.

For more information on the TSNN Awards, please visit the newly designed by asp web site - www.T-awards.com.

For sponsorship information on the 2016 TSNN Awards, please contact John Rice, head of TSNN sales and development, (617) 201 7088 jrice@tsnn.com.

Registration for the awards is limited to winners, their guests and sponsor suppliers. Please contact John Rice for more information on signing up as a supplier attendee.

Here are the 2016 TSNN Awards Top 50 Fastest-growing shows in net square footage and attendance:

2016 TSNN Awards - Top 25 Fastest-growing Shows - Net Square Footage

SupplySide West

Subsea Tieback Forum & Exhibition

Coverings

ASCO Annual Meeting

Shop.org Digital Summit 2015

ICSC New York National Conference

National Safety Council Congress & Expo

Cosmoprof North America

Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show

AWFS®Fair

Digital Signage Expo

Natural Products Expo West/Engredea

IPPE: International Production & Processing Expo

CES

Global Pet Expo

HIMSS15

International Roofing Expo

Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America

LDI (Live Designs International)

Imprinted Sportswear Show Atlantic City

National Retail Federation’s Annual Convention & Expo – Retail’s BIG Show

HOUSTEX

ACEP Scientific Assembly

PACK EXPO Las Vegas/Pharma EXPO 2015

Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show

2016 TSNN Awards - Top 25 Fastest-growing Shows - Attendance

KeHe Summer Selling & Product Innovation Show

ICAST (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades)

NACS Show

TRA Marketplace (formerly Southwest Foodservice Expo)

Great American Trucking Show

Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show

HydroVision International

JLC LIVE New England

Subsea Tieback Forum & Exhibition

BIOMEDevice, Design & Manufacturing New England, and Electronics New England Shows

Global Gaming Expo (G2E)

The NAMM Show

Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo

World of Asphalt Show & Conference

NAHB International Builders Show

BIO International Convention

Solar Power International

AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo

IEEE International Microwave Symposium (IMS2015)

EMS Today

DistribuTECH Conference & Exhibition

WasteExpo

Expo! Expo! IAEE's Annual Meeting

International Salon & Spa Exposition

ANCC National Magnet Conference

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Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.