Oceanside, CA – Today marks the first day to enter your show or recommend your client for consideration in the inaugural Trade Show Executive Fastest 50™ rankings. “If your show has grown more than 5% in net square feet in the past year, you have a solid chance of winning, based on our analysis of fast-growing shows listed in TSE’s monthly Dashboard report,” said Darlene Gudea, President of Trade Show Executive Media Group.
The final roster of honorees will be saluted at the first annual TSE Fastest 50 Awards & Summit and TSE Innovation Zone March 9-11 at Rosen’s Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando.
Organizers of trade shows that have experienced a growth spurt regardless of the recession have until January 14 to nominate their events. Vendors are also encouraged to nominate client shows.
The 50 honorees will be selected on the basis of growth in net square feet of exhibit space for their 2010 event, whether annual, biennial or triennial. The top 50 shows in the U.S. will also be eligible for a Grand Award based on growth in exhibit space, number of exhibiting companies and attendance — percentage-wise and in sheer numbers, said Gudea. The fastest-growing events in Canada, Latin America, Asia, Europe and The Middle East will also be honored.
Top Notch Speakers Make it a Must-Attend Event
VP of Events Diane Bjorklund is finalizing the speakers and networking events for the inaugural TSE Fastest 50. One panel will feature the growth leaders who will share their winning strategies. Bob Dallmeyer will present his acclaimed Power Lunch, with a live interview of one of the trade show industry’s most fascinating executives. The other sessions will have an emphasis on the face-to-face skills that are a necessity for show managers to put the best public face on their events as well as negotiate the best deals with their customers and vendors.
You Don’t Get What You Deserve, You Get What You Negotiate
Who hasn’t seen the insert in airline in-flight magazines for the Karrass Effective Negotiating™ program? The Beverly Hills firm trains Fortune 500 executives in the negotiating methods perfected by the famous Dr. Chester Karrass.
Karrass earned his MBA from Columbia University and has been offering seminars on the art of negotiating deals for 35 years. His company’s Karrass Effective Negotiating™ program is packed with strategies, tactics and tips that will help show executives further hone their negotiating skills and walk away with a deal that pays genuine financial dividends.
More than 800,000 professionals over the years have given their businesses a boost with the Karrass program.
If you think you have negotiated some good deals in the past, this presentation may open your eyes as to just how much money may have been left on the table. Our presenter will work with a volunteer from the audience in a role-playing exercise that will highlight face-to-face skills and insights that alone will justify a Spring trip to Florida.
Bad News Burns
Gene Burns is an expert on damage control when it comes to executives under attack. Burns, executive vice president of Internet Business Group, specializes in teaching executives how to respond to negative comments about their show or staff from customers that can spread like wildfire ― and be as tough as a glacier to get rid of ― once they take root on the Internet.
Burns told TSE that Internet forums dedicated to griping can be both a platform for the airing of legitimate grievances or a place to anonymously sling mud in the form of dubious or misinformed claims.
As an expert in the growing field of reputation repair, Burns will provide the audience with tips on Search Engine Optimization and crafting Internet content that will muscle the negativity out of the way and give attendees and exhibitors a positive view of your show.
Packed Agenda
The TSE Fastest 50 will also offer show organizers and executives ample time to meet and network with current colleagues and possible future business partners. The sprawling Rosen’s Shingle Creek Resort offers plenty of quiet areas for conversation. Other amenities include lush Florida-style links that will host the golf outing sponsored by the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, and a kitchen where non-golfers can take part in the hands-on Culinary Cook Off.
The resort’s ballroom will be the location of the TSE Innovation Zone™, created and sponsored by Freeman. The space will include kiosks from some of the hottest event technology companies in the industry. Attendees will meet with leading innovators and get an up-close look at the latest ideas and then rate them.
Fastest 50 Open to All Show Managers
Unlike Trade Show Executive’s Gold 100 event, the Fastest 50 is not an invitation-only event. It is open to all show organizers, group show organizers, executive vice presidents, presidents, and CEOs of associations and show management firms. The early registration fee is $395 which expires February 1; afterwards, registration fees are $445. Registration opens January 11.
All 50 honorees receive a comp registration.
The Fastest 50 shows will be featured in a special supplement in March, and in news and video releases during and after the event.
Early and Strong Support from Sponsors
The first annual TSE Fastest 50™ is made possible by the support of its generous sponsors, including these 20, to date:
- The Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Orange County Convention Center which will welcome attendees to sunny Florida as the Title Sponsors.
- CompuSystems is the Platinum Sponsor and registration provider.
- Freeman is the designer and sponsor of the Trade Show Executive Innovation Zone™.
- Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority will present the golf tournament.
- The Gold Sponsors are PRG and United Service Companies.
- Silver Sponsors include the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Global Experience Specialists (GES), the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Georgia World Congress Center, Rosemont Convention & Visitors Bureau, Advantage Boston and the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, and SMG.
- The Bronze Sponsors are Fern Exposition & Event Services, CMAC, Sands Expo and Victoria’s Event Productions.
Reach Darlene Gudea, president of TSE Media Group, at (760) 630-9111 or dgudea@tradeshowexecutive.com; Diane Bjorklund, vice president of events, at (630) 312-8915 or dbjorklund@tradeshowexecutive.com; Dana Myers, managing editor, at (760) 630-9105 or dmyers@tradeshowexecutive.com
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To Enter
The nomination form includes the full rules and award categories. Once completed, e-mail the two-page form to TSE Managing Editor Dana Myers on or before January 14. There will be no extensions of the deadline granted. Winners will be announced January 19.
