2018 TOP 250 US TRADE SHOWS

The 2018 TSNN Top Trade Show List is exclusively sponsored by Expocad and the Orlando/Orange County Convention Center.

For a complete 2018 TSNN Top Trade Shows list that includes contact information please contact John Rice jrice@tsnn.com.

* Professional attendee figure includes exhibit personnel

TSNN Rank by NSF Event Event Date(s) Venue
1
CES

At the intersection of creativity, passion and ingenuity, CES® inspires the spirit of innovation. CES 2018 welcomed a mind-boggling 1,018 exhibiting start-ups in Eureka Park from 45 countries. The excitement of CES cannot be contained; there were more than 1 million mentions of CES on Twitter. CES 2018 saw awe-inspiring new categories like smart cities, sports tech and design & source emerge, with topics ranging from vehicle technology to drones continuing the growth of global technology.

Organizer: Consumer Technology Association
# Exhibitors: 4,460
# Attendees: 111,854
01/09/2018 to 01/12/2018
Las Vegas Convention Center/Sands Expo & Convention Center/Various Hotels Las Vegas
NSF: 2,784,167
2
IMTS - The International Manufacturing Technology Show

More than 114,000 industrial decision-makers attend the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) to get ideas and find answers to their manufacturing problems. They will see new technology demonstrated and choose the best for their needs.

Organizer: AMT-The Association for Manufacturing Technology
# Exhibitors: 2,563
# Attendees: 129,415*
09/10/2018 to 09/15/2018
McCormick Place Chicago
NSF: 1,424,232
3
The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market January

Global buying power, peak order-writing volume and surging optimism fueled the pace of the January Market through its closing bell. The market registered attendees from every U.S. state and around the world in 2018’s first international home, rug, gift and apparel trade fair.

Organizer: AMC, Inc.
# Exhibitors: 2,696
# Attendees: 90,323*
01/09/2018 to 01/16/2018
AmericasMart Atlanta Atlanta
NSF: 1,341,126
4
The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market July

AmericasMart® advanced its position as the epicenter of trend evolution and thought leadership when retailers, designers, specifiers and manufacturers from across the U.S. and around the world gathered for the Market’s 61st-annual summer staging. The Market saw new introductions, new product collections and presentations and industry-leading programming featuring celebrated tastemakers, business visionaries and innovators across its newly timed seven-day run.

Organizer: AMC, Inc.
# Exhibitors: 2,357
# Attendees: 85,104*
07/10/2018 to 07/16/2018
AmericasMart Atlanta Atlanta
NSF: 1,255,192
5
PACK EXPO International and Healthcare Packaging EXPO 2018

PACK EXPO International focuses on the latest developments in packaging machinery, processing machinery, converting machinery, materials, packages and containers, and components. The most prominent companies in the industry exhibit and make product introductions at the show. PACK EXPO International is a biennial event (every other year).

Organizer: PMMI: The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies
# Exhibitors: 2,460
# Attendees: 43,981
10/14/2018 to 10/17/2018
McCormick Place Chicago
NSF: 1,249,751
6
NPE 2018 – The Plastics Show

NPE: The Plastics Show provides exclusive access to the innovations, people, processes, science and ideas that are shaping the future of plastics. Build connections, exchange ideas and explore the largest concentration of machinery, tools, technology and professional training available in today’s industry marketplace.

Organizer: Plastics Industry Association
# Exhibitors: 2,182
# Attendees: 35,949
05/07/2018 to 05/11/2018
Orange County Convention Center Orlando
NSF: 1,221,765
7
SEMA 2018 Show (Specialty Equipment Market Association)

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry's brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week, the SEMA Show attracts more than 160,000 industry leaders from over 130 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, powersports and RV markets.

Organizer: Specialty Equipment Market Association
# Exhibitors: 2,400
# Attendees: 161,938*
10/30/2018 to 11/02/2018
Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas
NSF: 1,210,000
8
Florida RV SuperShow

The Florida RV SuperShow promotes the RV lifestyle and camping in the State of Florida.

Organizer: Florida RV Trade Association
# Exhibitors: 345
# Attendees: 1,200
01/16/2018 to 01/21/2018
Florida State Fairgrounds Tampa
NSF: 1,171,084
9
America's Largest RV Show

America's Largest RV Show - Hershey is a hybrid show combing both industry and retail segments. Over 40 manufacturers and 149 booth vendors gather to show the latest the RV and camping industry has to offer. The first two days are dedicated solely to the industry where dealers and campgrounds can purchase inventory and see the latest from OEMs. During the public days, consumers can attend to purchase and shop the newest RVs and accessories on the market.

Organizer: Pennsylvania RV & Camping Assn.
# Exhibitors: 198
# Attendees: 1,542
12/10/2018 to 12/16/2018
Giant Center Hershey, PA
NSF: 1,047,866
10
NAB Show

NAB Show is the world's largest event encompassing The M.E.T. Effect, the convergence of media, entertainment and technology. With 103,000 attendees from 161 countries and 1,800+ exhibitors, NAB Show is the ultimate marketplace for solutions that transcend traditional broadcasting and embrace content delivery to new screens in new ways. From creation to consumption, across multiple platforms and countless nationalities, NAB Show is where global visionaries convene to bring content to life.

Organizer: National Association of Broadcasters
# Exhibitors: 1,718
# Attendees: 41,154
04/07/2018 to 04/12/2018
Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas
NSF: 1,045,000
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.