TSNN's 50 Fastest-growing Trade Show Winners Announced for 3rd Annual 2012 TSNN Awards - Celebrating Trade Show Excellence

June 19, 2012

Trade Show News Network, a division of U.K.-based Tarsus Group, is pleased to announce the 2012 TSNN Top 50 Fastest-growing Trade Shows in Attendance and Net Square Footage Growth in the U.S. that will be honored during the 3rd Annual TSNN Awards: Celebrating Trade Show Excellence Nov. 2-4 in Louisville, Ky.

A full list of winners can be found below and HERE on www.T-awards.com.

“During some of the most challenging years in the trade show industry, the 2012 TSNN Top 50 Fastest-growing Trade Show winners not only managed to thrive, but also by very impressive numbers,” 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 in Louisville.”

The winners in overall net square growth from 2009 to 2011 cover a wide range of industries such as trucking, fire department instructors, fashion and packaging.

The winners in overall attendance growth from 2009 to 2011 also are a diverse mix, including JCK Las Vegas, the Shooting, Hunting & Outdoor Trade Show and International CES.

2012 TSNN Awards event highlights feature a “State of the Industry” session Saturday morning with Doreen Biela, chair of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, and David Audrain, incoming chair of the Society of Independent Show Organizers.

Other sessions on tap for the C-level conference Saturday Nov. 3 at the Kentucky International Convention Center will be focused on the attendee experience before, during and after an event.

The gala awards evening at the Marriott Downtown Louisville 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 relaunched during the 2012 TSNN Awards and will honor top show managers from different sized shows in the industry. Nominations for the SMOTY Awards will open July 17.

“As the Founding Sponsor of the TSNN Awards, we are excited about teaming up with Louisville and rolling out the red carpet in recognizing the 2012 industry leaders and their shows,” said Ray Pekowski, The Expo Group president and CEO.

Other weekend events will include a Friday Night Reception with special guests at the 21c Museum Hotel, which was named the one of the top ten hotels in the world Readers’ Choice Awards 2009, 2010 and 2011 by Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

The Sunday Brunch truly is going to be a memorable experience at the home of the Kentucky Derby -Churchill Downs. The brunch will be followed by a special day of racing at the storied track.

Sponsors already signed on for the 2012 TSNN Awards include Founding Sponsor The Expo Group; City Sponsor Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau; Venue Sponsor Kentucky International Convention Center; Hotel Sponsor Louisville Marriott Downtown; Presenting Sponsors Wyndham Jade, Ungerboeck Software International and George Fern Exposition & Services; Gold Sponsors ASP, Experient, Travel Planners and Production Transport; Silver Sponsors EPIC, Industry Connect, a2z Inc., OnPeak and Freeman; Media Sponsor H+A International.

For sponsorship information on the 2012 TSNN Awards please contact John Rice, 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.

2012 TSNN Top 25 Fastest-growing Trade Shows by Attendance

(shows are averaged between 2009 and 2011)

WPPI - Wedding and Portrait Photographers International

2011 ATA Archery Trade Show

Shooting, Hunting & Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show)

Surf Expo - Sept.

GlobalShop

SuperZoo

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

America's Largest RV Show

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market

Interop Las Vegas

WasteExpo 2011

AudiologyNow!

SEMA 2011 Show (Specialty Equipment Market Association)

ABS - America's Beauty Show

Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show

Farmfest

International CES

OFA Short Course

Outdoor Retailer Summer Market

Safari Club International Annual Hunter's Convention

FABTECH

NSC 2011 Annual Congress & Expo

JCK Las Vegas

IPC APEX Expo

The Work Truck Show & NTEA Annual Convention

2012 TSNN Top 25 Fastest-growing Trade Shows by Net Square Footage

(shows are averaged between 2009 and 2011)

The Great American Trucking Show

FDIC - Fire Department Instructors Conference

Cosmoprof North America

FABTECH

MAGIC Marketplace (MAGIC/WWDMAGIC/MAGIC kids/Sourcing at MAGIC/Project/Pool) - Aug.

SEMA 2011 Show (Specialty Equipment Market Association)

Surf Expo - Sept.

E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo)

AAPEX

OFFPRICE Show - Feb.

OFC/NFOEC (Optical Fiber Communication/Natl. Fiber Optic Engineers Conference)

MAGIC Marketplace (MAGIC/WWDMAGIC/MAGIC kids/Sourcing at MAGIC/Project/Pool) - Feb.

LandWarNet

Premiere Orlando

International CTIA WIRELESS

AUSA Annual Meeting

LIGHTFAIR INTERNATIONAL

OFFPRICE Show - Aug.

SuperZoo

Annual National RV Trade Show

Pack Expo Las Vegas/CPP Expo

NPPC's World Pork Expo

2011 IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo

IAAPA Attractions Expo 2011

Farmfest

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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? 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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.