Chicago, IL – Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the members of the Chicago City Council have proclaimed the week of May 18, 2014 to be officially recognized throughout the city of Chicago as Trade Show Executive’s Fastest 50 Week. TSE’s Fastest 50 Awards & Summit is running May 20-22 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago and will honor the fastest-growing trade shows in the U.S. in net square feet of exhibit space, exhibitor count and attendance.
“Highly influential executives in the trade show industry from around the country and abroad will participate in the event to source new sites for their meetings, exhibitions and other events,” the official proclamation stated.
The proclamation also pointed out that trade shows are a $69 billion industry in the U.S., and that exhibitions in Chicago generate millions for the city’s economy. It noted that the Fastest 50’s title sponsor is Choose Chicago, led by CEO Don Welsh, and has been endorsed by 25+ companies based in the greater Chicago area or who do business with trade shows in Chicago.
The proclamation was signed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and will be presented by Alderman Edward Burke, a senior and high-profile member of the Chicago City Council, to Richard Simon, Chairman of Trade Show Executive Media Group, and Darlene Gudea, president.
“As Chairman of Trade Show Executive Media Group, I am proud to help recognize the incredible achievements of the award-winning shows. In an industry such as ours, this recognition helps accelerate the competitive spirit among all show organizers to enhance their events with new ideas and technology, which in turn benefits the lifeblood of our industry: exhibitors and attendees,” said Simon. “In addition, the collaboration among this group of highly successful show organizers breeds the future success of all involved.”
“We are very honored that the Mayor and the Chicago City Council have recognized the power and economic impact of exhibitions, and notably the fastest-growing shows, by singling out this year’s run of the Fastest 50 for special designation as Fastest 50 Week,” said Gudea. “We are also grateful to Choose Chicago and the Hyatt Regency Chicago, who are enthusiastic and all-around terrific hosts for the Fastest 50.”
The 50 shows that experienced the highest growth in 2013 in exhibit space, in exhibitors and in attendance – 150 awards total — will be presented at a gala celebration following a full day of thought-provoking and informative educational sessions. A total of 15 others will go on to receive a crystal trophy as part of the TSE Grand Awards and one organizer will win Google Glass in a drawing that evening. TSE has created numerous opportunities to network and talk shop, not only with the honorees, but also with industry leaders who attend to scout out partnerships, acquisitions and co-locations.
A limited number of registrations are available for show organizers and senior executives who may not be honorees but still wield a lot of influence in the trade show industry. Information is available at www.tradeshowexecutive.com
Reach Diane Bjorklund, VP of Events at (630) 312-8915 or dbjorklund@tradeshowexecutive.com
Click here to view the proclamation
