CHICAGO – The Golden Globes … The Oscars … The Emmys … The trade show industry’s favorites are the Gold 100 and Fastest 50. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the trade show industry to its core. As the vaccination moves forward, light is shining at the end of the long, dark tunnel; and as the industry turns the corner on this virus, it’s time to celebrate. That is what the Gold 100 and Fastest 50 are all about — celebrating the best of the best. Optimism is running high, especially given the news that this June, the World of Concrete (WOC) will be the first Gold 100 show to return to Las Vegas since the pandemic.
Details on the Gold 100 and Fastest 50 shows are featured in a combined Gold 100 & Fastest 50 Awards Guide. Click here to view all the rankings: https://tse.pub/3d8Dp0V
The 2019 shows in the Gold 100 generated a total of 44,803,916 nsf. Exhibiting companies totaled 117,748 and the shows on the list attracted 3.5 million attendees.
When calculated on a per-show basis, Gold 100 shows averaged 448,039 nsf, 1,177 exhibitors, and 35,395 attendees. The individual Gold 100 shows’ size ranged from the 2,930,421 nsf by CES down to 171,351 nsf at the Cattle Industry Annual Convention & NCBA Trade Show (National Cattlemen’s Beef Association). The 10 largest shows on the Gold 100 list had a combined 12,032,519 nsf or 26.9% of the combined total of 44,803,916 nsf for all shows that made the cut.
Organizers from the Fastest 50 rankings saw extreme growth. The shows that make up the Fastest 50 Class of 2019 grew exponentially compared to the TSE composite index for all of the exhibitions held in 2019. Not only did the Fastest 50 list enjoy double-digit growth in exhibit space compared to the overall 0.5% increase of the industry, these shows had 15.2% more exhibiting companies participate in their shows over the previous year, and also boasted a 19.2% increase in total attendance.
The Trade Show Executive Next 50 are the expos that enjoyed robust increases in their metrics at rates that were hot on the heels of the Fastest 50. The Next 50 was based on growth rates in exhibit space, exhibitors and attendance, using the same methodology as the Fastest 50. A total of 105 shows made the Next 50 list
“Congratulations to all the Gold 100 and Fastest 50 honorees. To achieve this designation is a great achievement,” said TSE Vice President and Editor-in-Chief Gabrielle Weiss. “There is no doubt that the industry has faced its challenges, but looking back at these incredible shows brings much hope as we begin our road to recovery.”
GOLD 100 AWARDS
The celebrated electronics supershow, CES, collected three Grand Awards, including the trophy for the Largest Trade Show of 2019. ICUEE, The International Construction & Utility Equipment Exposition, organized by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, brought home four awards, including the prize for The Greatest Trade Show in 2019.
The Gold 100 Grand Awards recipients:
The Largest Trade Show of 2019: CES, organized by the Consumer Technology Association, with a whopping 2,930,421 nsf.
The Largest Non-Annual Trade Show of 2019: ICUEE, organized by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, which encompassed 1,340,749 nsf.
The Fastest-Growing Gold 100 Show in Net Square Feet in 2019 (by percentage of growth): MJBizCon, organized by Marijuana Business Daily, with 251,200 nsf.
The Fastest-Growing Non-Annual Gold 100 Show in Net Square Feet in 2019 (by percentage of growth): ProMat, organized by MHI, with 425,076 nsf.
The Fastest-Growing Gold 100 Medical Show in 2019 (by blended growth): ASH Meeting & Exposition, organized by the American Society of Hematology, with 203,500 nsf.
The Fastest-Growing Gold 100 Show Managed by an Association in 2019 (by blended growth): PRINTING UNITED, organized by the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (now PRINTING United Alliance), with 346,310 nsf.
The Top Show Organizer of 2019: Informa Markets, with 13 shows ranked in the Gold 100.
The Most Innovative Show in 2019: CES, organized by the Consumer Technology Association.
The Do-Gooder Award: ISC West (International Security Conference & Exposition), organized by Reed Exhibitions.
Best Use of Technology in 2019: G2E — Global Gaming Expo, organized by Reed Exhibitions and the American Gaming Association.
The Marketing Genius Award: ICUEE, organized by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
The Slam Dunk Award: Best New Idea of 2019: Vision Expo East, organized by Reed Exhibitions.
The Greatest Trade Show in 2019: ICUEE, organized by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
FASTEST 50 AWARDS
The shows that rocketed to the top enjoyed tremendous growth in 2019 before the world came to a screeching halt.
The 83 shows included on the 2020 Trade Show Executive (TSE) Fastest 50 list, which is made up of trade shows held in the U.S. in 2019, chalked up growth rates of more than 15% in the three metric categories measured — exhibit space sold, number of exhibitors and total attendance. The list includes events with a minimum of 15,000 net square feet (nsf), and they represent a cross-section of industry sectors.
The Fastest 50 Grand Awards recipients:
Fastest-Growing Show in 2019 by Blended Growth: FIBO USA, organized by Reed Exhibitions.
Fastest-Growing Annual Show by Percentage of Growth in Net Square Feet in 2019: ICSC Southeast Conference & Deal Making, organized by the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Fastest-Growing Annual Show by Percentage of Growth in Exhibitors in 2019: ASCO Annual Meeting, organized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Fastest-Growing Annual Show by Percentage of Growth in Attendance In 2019: FIBO USA, organized by Reed Exhibitions.
Fastest-Growing Non-Annual Show by Percentage of Growth in Net Square Feet, Exhibitors & Attendance in 2019: Aluminum USA, organized by Reed Exhibitions.
Fastest-Growing Show in Sheer Numbers in Net Square Feet in 2019: ICUEE, organized by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
Fastest-Growing Show in Sheer Numbers in Exhibitors in 2019: SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting & Outdoor Trade Show), organized by the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Fastest-Growing Show in Sheer Numbers in Attendance in 2019: ProMat, organized by MHI.
Top Organizer Overall in Number of Fastest 50 Shows and Next 50 Shows in 2019: Informa.
Fastest-Growing Medical Show in 2019 by Blended Growth: AAHKS Annual Meeting, organized by the American Association of Hip & Knee Surgeons.
The Fastest-Growing Show Managed by an Association in 2019: National Catholic Educational Association Annual Convention & Expo, organized by the National Catholic Educational Association.
“We were stunned by the creativity of the submissions of show management across the board. It was difficult to choose the Grand Award winners. With this brain trust, it’s no wonder that the industry is now positioned to kickstart a road to recovery. We are looking forward to celebrating future shows and show management as the industry starts back up,” said Weiss.
Submit a Fastest 50 entry for your 2020 show at: https://tradeshowexecutive.com/fastest50entry and submit a Gold 100 entry for your 2020 show at: https://tradeshowexecutive.com/gold100entry
Reach Gabrielle Weiss at (312) 493-7753 or gweiss@tradeshowexecutive.com
