Trade Show Executive has unveiled the 50 fastest growing shows in the United States, and the list contains some industry staples as well as some unexpected newcomers that experienced banner success in 2016.
TSE measures growth by three different metrics: net square feet, number of exhibitors, and attendance, and the winners in each division are compiled into separate lists. However, a number of shows making the cut experienced exponential growth in more than one category, resulting in a winners roster that contains 87 shows overall.
Though it is diminutive compared to some shows, the American Baseball Coaches Association Convention (pictured above) was among the fastest growing shows across all categories in 2016, followed by the AFCEA/U.S. Naval Institute Western Conference & Exposition and the AmericasMart April Atlanta Apparel Show. Fifteen events appear on all three lists, which calculate purely growth irrespective of the size of a show. Officials say 70 percent of the Fastest 50 shows have 124,000 net square feet or less, and a number of regional or niche shows appear on the list along with events that serve a national audience.
Together, the 87 shows appearing on the TSE Fastest 50 lists account for 13 million net square feet of exhibit space, 45,500 exhibitors, and 1,180,000 attendees. The organization also compiles the Next 50, which measures industry movers that didn’t quite break into the top 50 but may be poised to do so in the future.
Winners will be honored at the Fastest 50 Awards and Summit at the Chicago Hyatt Regency in April. Complete results can be found at www.tradeshowexecutive.com.
