Oceanside, CA – There is only one week left to register for Trade Show Executive’s Fastest 50 Awards & Summit which will honor the fastest-growing shows in net square feet, exhibitors and attendance, and celebrate the people who built them into the most successful and talked about shows in the nation. Join us for three exciting days of inspiration and celebration! The Fastest 50 is known as a top-tier networking and idea-swapping event for trade show leaders who have guided record-breaking growth for their events, often 10 times the benchmark. It is also the event where co-locations, joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions and other growth strategies are explored discreetly.
The event is set for May 8-10 at The Swissôtel, Chicago. A partial list of the CEOs and show directors participating is listed at the end of this article.
During the Fastest 50 Summit, you’ll meet best-selling author Jonah Berger who will deliver a keynote sponsored by Freeman on “Contagious – Why Things Catch On”….. learn about the economic trends and global issues that could impact your show…. Hear first-hand from SxSW Interactive Festival Director Hugh Forrest about what makes the iconic South by Southwest Festival tick and how he keeps participants obsessed and coming back for more …. Sit in on a Power Lunch with Questex CEO Kerry Gumas who has faced every challenge and success in his career ….. Learn how to finance growth and big ideas….Get an insider’s look on how potential acquirers look at your show….. Participate in panels on burning issues including hotel contracts, international challenges, the inadequate tech infrastructure at many convention centers, and new business models taking shape at convention centers….. and more.
But there is more to business than hard-driving sessions. At the Fastest 50, you will work hard and play hard. Network with the other leading minds in the industry while “Experiencing Exclusivity™” in the Budweiser Bleacher Suite at Chicago’s famed Wrigley Field during the Cubs vs. the Cardinals game….Maybe you will be further upgraded to “personal guest” status and visit the field during batting practice or take photos in the on-deck circle or watch the game from team owner Tom Ricketts’ personal seats…..
Later, take advantage of more networking opportunities at the Fastest 50 Opening Reception at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse sponsored by Global Experience Specialists (GES) …. Meet newcomers and connect with old friends in the upbeat and jovial Fastest 50 Reception and Awards Dinner sponsored by Choose Chicago…. Walk the red carpet…. Get photos with colleagues … Get seated with other winners and leaders you have wanted to meet for years….. Speculate on who will win a Fastest 50 Grand Award – maybe you?!? …. and end the night at the Fastest 50 Afterglow.
Who’s Coming to the Fastest 50? [Updated 4/23/13]
Trade Show Executive’s Fastest 50 serves as a scorecard that lets the industry know which shows are on the fast track with more exhibitors chasing bigger crowds of buyers. And the fastest-growing shows are not just the small and mid-sized ones; the Class of 2012 has strong representation from shows across the board:
– 3% are 1,000,000 nsf or larger;
– 12% range from 350,000 nsf to 999,999 nsf;
– 26% span 125,000 nsf to 349,999 nsf;
– 31% cover 50,000 nsf to 124,999 nsf; and
– 28% are 15,000 nsf to 49,999 nsf
From long-time experts to the 30-somethings rapidly rising to the top, this partial list of Fastest 50 registrants as of April 12 is a true reflection of the industry:
Access Intelligence, LLC: Don Pazour, president & CEO; Jenn Heinold, VP, events of OR Manager Conference
Advanstar Communications: Tony Calanca, executive vice president of exhibitions; Leslie Gallin, vice president of FN PLATFORM (Footwear News) – August, FN PLATFORM (Footwear News) – February
American Academy of Dermatology: Tim Moses, CMP, director, meetings & conventions, American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting
American Amusement Machine Association: John Schultz, executive vice president, Amusement Expo
American Business Media: Claudia Flowers, vice president
American Coatings Association: Cheryl Matthews, VP, events and professional development, American Coatings Show & Conference
American Sportfishing Association: Kenneth Andres, trade show director, ICAST (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades)
American Thoracic Society: Stacy Blackshaw, CEM, associate director, corporate alliances & exhibition operations, American Thoracic Society International Conference
Association of Equipment Manufacturers: Rich Prausa, operations manager, AGG1 Aggregates Forum & Expo, World of Asphalt Show & Conference
Biotechnology Industry Organization: Robbi Lycett, CEM, VP, conventions & conferences, BIO International Convention
Bobit Business Media: Ty Bobit, president & CEO of Bobit Business Media; Kristen Messineo, senior event manager of International LCT Show
Business Journals, Inc.: Britton Jones, president & CEO, AccessoriesTheShow – January, AccessoriesTheShow – February, Fame, Moda Manhattan, MRket andSharon Enright, Vice President, Trade Show Division
Center for Exhibition Industry Research: Cathy Breden, COO
Clarion Events North America: David Audrain, president & CEO
Consumer Electronics Association: Christine Franca, director, CES Marketing, International Consumer Electronics Show
Crain Communications Inc.: Christopher Crain, vice president/group publisher
Cygnus Business Media: Ed Nichols, vice president, Firehouse World
Diversified Business Communications: Mary Larkin, group VP of International Boston Seafood Show and Seafood Processing America; Liz Plizga, shows director of International Boston Seafood Show and Seafood Processing America
Food Processing Suppliers Association: David Seckman, president & CEO
Formula4Media, LLC: Troy Leonard, show director, The Running Event
GLM: Penny Sikalis, vice president, SURTEX
Hall-Erickson, Inc.: Carol Fojtik, managing director, MINExpo INTERNATIONAL© and managing director, EXHIBITOR2012
Hanley Wood Exhibitions: Dana Teague, Vice President, SURFACES/StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas, and Donovan Shanahan, International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo
Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society: Rob Bailey, senior director, sales, HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition
Helicopter Association International: Tina Jones, director of conventions, HELI-EXPO®
International Association of Exhibitions & Events: David DuBois, president & CEO
International Council of Shopping Centers: Tim McGuinness, staff vice president, global trade, RECon, The Global Retail Real Estate Convention
Institute of Food Technologists: Christine Klein, VP meetings & business partnerships of IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo; Tracy Garcia, director of exhibits of IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo
International Sanitary Supply Association:Kim Althoff, Director of Conventions, ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America
Jewelers International Showcase, Inc.: Michael Breslow, president, Jewelers International Showcase – January, Jewelers International Showcase – October
LIGHTFAIR International: Rochelle Burt,CEM, vice president
Lippman Connects: Sam Lippman, producer
Messe Frankfurt USA: John Gallagher, president & CEO, Texworld USA (Winter Edition)
National Association of Music Merchants: Kevin Johnstone, former director of trade shows
National Catholic Educational Association: Amy Durkin, CEM, director of association events, NCEA Convention & Expo
National Electrical Contractors Association: Susan McCart, marketing manager, NECA Convention & Trade Show
National Retail Federation: Susan Newman, senior VP, conferences, Retail’s Big Show, Shop.org Annual Summit
National Trade Productions, Inc.: Robert Harar, NTP chairman and Andrew Ortale, executive vice president of Coverings; ASPE Convention & Exposition; EVS26 – Electric Vehicle Symposium
Nielsen Expositions: Tim Fearney, Show Director, Retail Design Group and Liz Crawford, senior marketing director, Outdoor Retailer Summer Market and show director, Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show
NürnbergMesse North America: Heather Kuznetz, event & marketing manager, American Coatings Show & Conference
Questex Media Group LLC: Kerry Gumas, president & CEO
Randall – Reilly: Alan Sims, VP & executive director of events of The Great American Trucking Show; Shane Elmore, chief process officer of The Great American Trucking Show
Reed Exhibitions: Greg Topalian, senior vice president of new business
Radiological Society of North America: Tom Shimala, director of technical exhibits
Sellers Expositions: Warren Sellers, president
South by Southwest Interactive Festival: Hugh Forrest, director
Specialty Graphic Imaging Association: Michael Robertson, president & CEO, SGIA Expo
Specialty Coffee Association of America: Cindy Cohn, Director of Events
Tarsus Expositions, Inc.: Todd Fabos, marketing manager, OFFPRICE Show
Texas High School Coaches Association: DW Rutledge, executive director of Texas High School Coaches Association Convention; Joe Martin, assistant executive director of Texas High School Coaches Association Convention
Trade Press Media Group, Inc.: Todd Kotlarek, director of live events, National Facilities Management & Technology Conference & Expo
William T. Glasgow Inc.: Brian Glasgow, senior vice president, Amusement Expo
Wire Processing Expo: Richard A. Geyer, owner of National Electrical Wire Processing Technology Expo
Have You Registered?
Participation in the Fastest 50 is not restricted to the honorees but open to all senior show executives and managers who want to explore new ideas and business opportunities.
Register at https://www.compusystems.com/servlet/ar?evt_uid=830
Although the room block is closed, TSE is holding a few more rooms for late registrants.
Reach Darlene Gudea, TSE president at (760) 930-9111 or dgudea@tradeshowexecutive.com; Diane Bjorklund, TSE vice president of events, at (630) 312-8915 or dbjorklund@tradeshowexecutive.com
