CHICAGO — Trade Show Executive’s (TSE) upcoming Gold 100 Awards & Summit will be a pinnacle for the industry’s largest shows and those leading the way in various categories recognized in the Grand Awards program. It will also be the backdrop for candid conversations, sharing best practices and exploring case studies on the topics that matter most to trade show organizers today.
Addressing Today’s Macro Challenges
While inbound international travel to the U.S. and international attendance saw declines in 2025 and into 2026, some organizers are seeing big success reaching global audiences in different markets. A panel led by SISO CEO Vinnie Polito will highlight what challenges and opportunities are apparent in various international markets today. The panel, featuring Darrin Stern, President and Managing Director at Koelnmesse, Inc.; Jason Peskin, Senior Vice President of Revenue at Forge; and Mike Seaman, Group CEO of Raccoon Media Group, will share experiences operating, launching and building in global regions, and how that compares with the U.S. landscape today.
The volatility in the economic and political landscape is creating conditions that make business decision-making challenging. To get a better grasp on what economic signals and policy updates can impact your business in the months ahead, TSE is bringing back Dr. Peter Rupert, Professor of Economics at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Tommy Goodwin, President and CEO of the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance in two separate sessions.
Rupert will dive into the economic outlook for the final months of 2026 and into 2027, while exploring what he sees on the horizon for various sectors, and what signals leaders should watch closely to help them stay ahead of the curve.
Goodwin will address the impacts Capitol Hill will have on the industry in the coming months, and have actionable ways for organizers and their partners to get involved in keeping the industry off the menu, and at the table in Washington, D.C.
Highlighting Ways to Grow Exhibitor ROI
As exhibitors and sponsors look for greater ROI, organizers are leaning into programming that delivers real business wins for their customers.
In a panel presentation focused on meeting programs, which are driving high-value engagements and creating new revenue streams for organizers, Head of Marketing for RXUS Kate Youngstrom, will lead a conversation with meetings programs pros. Featuring insights from Nancy Mastroianni, Head of Investors and Networks at HLTH Inc.; Karen Chupka, Executive Vice President, Global Connections and Events at the National Association of Broadcasters; and Founder and Principal Katie Dominesey of Neon Sandcastle, this panel promises to generate actionable takeaways for organizers exploring new ways to drive ROI.
Another angle of the ROI conversation deals with exhibitor training, and what organizers can do to set their exhibitors up for success before, during and after an event. From year-round webinars to in-person workshops to sharing industry data with exhibitors, organizers will walk away from this session with a new toolkit to help supercharge exhibitor ROI.
This exhibitor success panel will feature Daniel McKinnon, Chief Exhibitions Officer at MHI; Sacha Carey, Vice President, Exhibits at the National Business Aviation Association; and BJ Enright, CEO of Tradeshow Logic, and will be led by Robyn Davis, CPTD, CEM, Trade Show Trainer and Consultant.
Providing On-the-Ground Insights
Few people in the exhibitions industry have experience ranging from the entire ecosystem like Ken McAvoy does. As current Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, and President of South Florida Ventures for Informa, McAvoy has the perspective only decades of industry experience could shape.
This year, Jeff Quade, President, GES Exhibitions, and Anthony Bartolomeo, Senior Vice President, Client Relationships at Freeman, will take to the stage to expand on TSE’s September Power Lunch interview with McAvoy, to talk more about the transition to relationship-driven business partnerships, how safety at events has evolved and why he’s more excited about the industry than ever before.
Another session highlighting changes being observed in the industry will be led by Joe Federbush, President of EVOLIO Marketing. Federbush will share the latest research from jointly conducted surveys from TSE, EVOLIO and Lippman Connects, to give organizers a better idea of what attendee acquisition and exhibit sales tactics are working, and where the gaps are between what value organizers say they provide and what ROI exhibitors report feeling.
In another special session providing operator insights, we’re bringing together two TSE Trailblazers to talk about their career pathways, the challenges and opportunities they see as up-and-comers and young leaders, as well as the trends they think organizers should be leaning into to generate growth and strong engagement at their events. Join 2019 Trailblazers Jordan Tuchband, Senior Vice President, Security, Gaming & Transportation Portfolio at RX, and Vanessa Dang, Audience Development Manager at CommerceNext and a 2026 Trailblazer, as they share their fresh perspectives and hot takes on stage.
There’s Still Time; Register Today
Interested in these sessions and the insights leaders will share at the Gold 100 Awards & Summit? There’s still time to register to attend this year’s event, which is taking place Sept. 22-24 at the Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes, Calif.
