CHICAGO — Trade Show Executive (TSE) revealed the Fastest 50 Class of 2024 — the fastest-growing shows in the U.S. by net square footage of exhibit space, number of exhibitors and attendance — along with the Next 50 Class of 2024.
Honorees in the Class of 2024 are invited to attend TSE’s annual Fastest 50 Awards & Summit, taking place April 30-May 2 in Orlando, Fla.
The Fastest 50
The Fastest 50 Class of 2024 is made up of 88 shows, with 40 shows ranked on more than one of the lists and 22 shows ranked on all three lists. This class clocked in at a total of 17,047,831 net square feet and welcomed 48,223 exhibiting companies and 1,290,045 attendees — with all 2024 metrics exceeding the ones form the Class of 2023.
Impressively, the estimated value of exhibit space for all the shows is $686 million, based on $40.27/sf average space rate.
On average, the net square footage of all 88 shows is 193,725 net square feet, with 548 exhibiting companies and just over 15,000 attendees. With the smallest event spanning 16,700 net square feet and the largest exceeding 2.5 million square feet, the Fastest 50 reflect the wide range of shows that are seeing growth post-COVID.
When it comes to management, 52% were managed by associations, societies or other not-for-profit organizations, while 48% were managed by independent organizers. Another worthy statistic is 48 of the shows reported 2024 as their largest show to date by net square footage, and 22 shows on the Fastest 50 list were also Gold 100 honorees the last time their show was held.
While the overall growth percentages were not as high as seen from 2022 to 2023, the growth from 2023 to 2024 still reached double digits. When looking at overall growth the Fastest 50 Class of 2024 saw 24.6% growth in net square feet, 31.2% in the number of exhibiting companies and 23.6% in total attendance.
Click here to view the entire Fastest 50 list.
The Next 50
Along with the top 50 fastest-growers, TSE also recognizes the shows that were just on their heels with the Next 50. These shows represent those that still saw impressive growth, but didn’t crack the top rankings.
The Next 50 Class of 2024 is comprised of 109 shows, with the overall group reported 15,962,137 net square feet, 55,420 exhibiting companies and 1,422,048 attendees altogether — and like their Fastest 50 counterparts, all of the metrics for the Next 50 Class of 2024 exceeded the 2023 totals. When calculating overall averages, the Next 50 saw an average of 146,442 net square feet, 508 exhibiting companies and 13,167 attendees.
Looking at the management behind the Next 50 shows, 59% were managed by associations, societies or other not-for-profits, and 41% were managed by independent organizers.
Excitedly, 44 of the Next 50 shows reported that 2024 was their largest show to date, and 31 of the shows were ranked on TSE’s Gold 100 the last time their show was held.
Like the Fastest 50, the Next 50 also saw lower growth rates than the Class of 2023, but yet still reached double-digit growth overall. Looking at the growth of all the Next 50 shows, there is a 13.4% increase in net square feet, a 12.7% increase in the number of exhibiting companies and a 13% increase in total attendance.
Click here to view the entire Next 50 list.
Gear Up for Orlando
Each show on the Fastest 50 and Next 50 lists are eligible for one (1) waived registration to the TSE Fastest 50 Awards & Summit, taking place April 30-May 2 in Orlando. This annual event features a high-level Education Summit, plenty of time to network with executive-level peers and the Fastest 50 Awards Gala.
At the Awards Gala, Fastest 50 shows will be able to take photos with their honoree plaques on the red carpet, while Next 50 shows are rewarded with framed certificates. During the Gala dinner, the winners of the Grand Awards — metric-based awards celebrating the fastest growers in different categories — will be revealed.
Registration for the event is now open.
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Nominate a Trailblazer Today
The TSE Trailblazers will also be invited to and spotlighted during the Fastest 50 Awards Gala.
These awards that recognize industry up-and-comers are still open for nominations, so submit your rising star today. The deadline for nominations is March 11, and the winners will be notified and announced on March 17.
View the criteria and submit your nomination here!
Have questions about the ranking or event? Reach out to us at fastest50@tradeshowexecutive.com.
