2022 TSNN Awards Honor Top Show Organizers and Trade Shows
November 11, 2022
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) celebrated achievement, innovation and leadership in trade shows with the 12th Annual TSNN Awards and education conference, held Nov. 8-9 at host venue Caesars Forum in Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) rolled out the red carpet with a spectacular opening party at Nobu Hotel Villa that represented Las Vegas at its best.
“The 2022 TSNN Awards was an incredible celebration of the best of the best people and shows in our great industry,” said TSNN President Rachel Wimberly. “Caesars Entertainment went above and beyond to create a memorable event. Congratulations to all of the finalists and award winners!”
The robust education conference kicked off with the “State of the Industry” panel discussion, where the overall message was that of recovery and hope.
“We’re still skiing uphill, but we’re optimistic,” said David DuBois, CEO and president, IAEE.
Full recovery is expected by 2024, according to Cathy Breden, CEO of CEIR, with leading indicators such as attendance returning quicker. Vinnie Polito, incoming CEO of SISO, was encouraged by the fact that along with the return of existing shows, smaller members of his organization are launching brand new events. Staffing shortages and slow U.S. visa processing times continue to be obstacles for show growth.
Panel discussions, moderated by Danica Tormohlen and Stephanie Selesnick, highlighted best practices in addressing some of the industry’s pressing issues, including sustainability initiatives, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, and creative ways to get attendees back to in-person events.
Caesars Entertainment, the event’s premiere sponsor, dazzled event participants with a glamorous Awards Gala that proved to be a memorable occasion for everyone who has worked so hard during these incredibly challenging past few years.
This year, TSNN received a record-breaking number of nominations in 12 categories for the Innovation Awards and an incredible number of nominations for the Outstanding Show Pro Awards.
2022 TSNN Comeback Awards, (see finalists here) honored shows that have demonstrated resilience by “coming back” in areas such as attendance, overall business excellence and customer connectivity. The winners were:
- Customer Connectivity: OFFPRICE Show
- Exhibitor Excellence: The 2022 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show)
- Business Excellence: The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI)
- Outstanding Attendance: JCK
- Overall Resilience: MODEX
2022 TSNN Innovation Awards (see finalists here) went to:
- Best Exhibitor Program: Affordable Shopping Destination - ASD Market Week
- Best Use of Technology: Anime NYC
- Created (Maintained) Culture: Channel Partners Conference & Expo
- Giving Back (Charitable): World of Concrete
- Hybrid-Virtual Experience: New York Vet
- Savvy Marketing Campaign: InfoComm
- Team Building: VMX 2022
- Created (Maintained) Community: AQS QuiltWeek
- Best Engagement (Think Fun!): DISTRIBUTECH International 2022
- Most Innovative Design (or Redesign): Live Design International (LDI)
- Best Use of Data: Global Pet Expo
Karen Chupka, Consumer Technology Association, was honored with the Industry Icon Award for producing the association’s Consumer Electronic Show (CES), the world’s most influential tech event and the largest trade show in the U.S, and for her widely recognized contribution to the trade show industry.
“A great thing about what we all do is that it takes a village,” Chupka said when accepting the award. “In our industry, we share so much information and we’re always there for each other, and not many organizations and industries have that. Always reach out and ask somebody because we’ve all been through so many things and we’re all willing to share and help make each of our events a little better.”
The Outstanding Show Pros who were honored include:
- Kim Roehricht and Amy Bartz – AWFS
- Jennifer Muna – International Market Centers
- Emily Hartstone – From the Hart Management
- Diana Rich – Emerald
- Dawn Walton – Questex
- Kelly Helfman – Informa Markets
- Brittany Weltcheff – Association of Equipment Manufacturers
- Diane Vidoni – eMerge Americas
- Joseph Marks – Informa Tech
- Liz Bothwell – Informa
In addition, Tommy Goodwin, Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance, received the Industry Support Award; Specialty Coffee Association was honored with Sustainability Award; and Janice Rogers, Diversified Business Communications, received the DEI Leadership Award.
Rogers encouraged the audience to foster the DEI culture in their organizations. “If it's your first step or your 20th, keep going forward because we’re all going to make change together,” she said.
Thank you to all our sponsors and partners for making the TSNN Awards possible! View here: https://www.t-awards.com/sponsorship/sponsors
Take a spin around social media with #TSNNAwards to see all the fun pictures!
Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.
Remodeled Guest Rooms
MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino recently completed a $63M redesign and remodel of its 1,830 guest rooms and 155 suites.
Down the street, Bellagio Las Vegas is sporting renovated rooms in the Spa Tower with sunrise-inspired decor and luxurious soaking tubs in Premier King rooms after a $110-million transformation.
Reinvented Luxury Experiences
The Luxury Meetings District, made up of Bellagio Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas, is now more connected than ever before. A new interior walkway opened this October for a seamless attendee experience – connecting Vdara, Bellagio, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, guests can now walk from Park MGM to Bellagio in around 15 minutes.
New on the scene in the Luxury Meetings District is Cathedrale at ARIA, TAO Group’s upscale establishment specializing in exquisite French-Mediterranean cuisine offering elevated private dining experiences that opened in May.
Heralded by World’s Best 50 Restaurants, GQ and VOGUE, LPM at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is opening this fall and will deliver its signature spontaneity and imaginative celebration of France’s Mediterranean cuisine, art, and culture to the unique luxury resort in impeccable fashion.
A “New Wave for Mandalay Bay
A new wave of enhancements and experiences has arrived at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, including Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, an 8,445-square-foot restaurant that opened this June, perfect for pre- and post-game eats and drinks. Event planner’s favorite, Chef Michael Mina’s StripSteak, received a full renovation and now includes one of the largest private dining rooms on The Strip. Retro by Voltaggio debuts a one-year residency with a fun take on pop culture of the 80s and 90s with classic American dishes. An exciting addition planned for 2024 is Swingers, a 40,000-square-foot oasis of street food, miniature golf and art at Mandalay Bay.
Most exciting for meeting planners, the 2.1 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center is undergoing a complete refresh, with lightened space, added eye-catching art, and improved technology infrastructure for even more flexible space. Energy-efficient digital signage now leads the way with faster internet speeds and new AV options.
From renovated guest rooms and meeting spaces to celebrated dining options and dedicated teams, MGM Resorts is dedicated to delivering exceptional and innovative meeting experiences.
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