Tradeshow Week (www.TradeshowWeek.com), the global exhibition industry news magazine published by Reed Business Information (www.ReedBusiness.com), recently honored the 50 fastest growing tradeshows of 2009. The celebration was hosted by the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau (GHCVB) from Nov. 13-15.
The Tradeshow Week editorial and research staff identified the TSW Fastest 50 based on 50 percent total net square footage growth and 50 percent net growth between 2006 and 2008. The 2009 roster includes 20 first-time winners.
“This is a great group of winning shows,” said Michael Hart, Tradeshow Week editor-in-chief. “I am particularly impressed with the large number of first-time winners this year and the record number of nominations we had, making it clear that the tradeshow industry remains alive and thriving despite the current economic challenges.”
A senior manager from each winning show was invited to attend the 7th Annual TSW Fastest 50 celebration, which included an opening night reception at the Foundation Room of Houston’s House of Blues, an executive-level conference at George R. Brown Convention Center and brunch at The Grove Restaurant overlooking Discovery Green. Awards for the fastest-growing trade, consumer and association shows, as well as the fastest-growing show overall was revealed at a black-tie awards gala at the Hilton-Americas Houston on Nov. 14.
“I am happy to welcome the Tradeshow Week Fastest 50 back to Houston,” said Greg Ortale, president and CEO of the GHCVB. “Our city has changed so much since they were here in 2003. I can’t wait for the attendees to experience Houston again.”
Congratulations to the 2009 TSW Fastest 50 winners and honorees:
• ABC Kids Expo
• Association Technology Conference & Expo
• BIO International Convention (Biotechnology Industry Organization)
• Buildex Calgary
• Catersource Conference and Tradeshow
• COAL-GEN Conference and Exhibition
• CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE
• Digital Signage Expo
• EMS Today: The JEMS Conference and Exposition
• Firehouse Expo
• Firehouse World
• Global Petroleum Show
• Great West Truck Show
• Greater New York Dental Meeting
• Greenbuild International Conference and Expo
• Hospitality Design Exposition and Conference
• Industrial Fire, Safety and Security 2008
• InfoComm International
• Internet Retailer Conference and Exhibition
• ISC West (International Security Conference)
• 2008 Joint CBRN Conference and Exhibition
• KioskCom Self Service Expo/The Digital Signage Show
• The co-located Medical Design and Manufacturing (MD&M) West, Pacific Design and Manufacturing Show, WestPack, Electronics West, Automation Technology Expo (ATX) West, Process Technology for Industry (PTX) West and Green
Manufacturing Expo shows
• The Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show
• Mid-America Trucking Show
• Moda Manhattan January
• Moda Manhattan May
• Moda Manhattan September
• Modern Day Marine Expo
• Natural Products Expo East/Organic Products Expo-BioFach America
• Natural Products Expo West/SupplyExpo
• NBTA International Convention & Exposition (National Business Travel Association)
• New York Comic Con
• 2008 NFDA Convention & Expo (National Funeral Directors Association)
• NRF’s Annual Convention & EXPO – Retail’s BIG Show (National Retail Federation)
• Offshore Technology Conference
• Outdoor Retailer Summer Market
• PACK EXPO International
• PAX (Penny Arcade Expo)
• Pumper and Cleaner Environmental Expo International
• Shop.org Annual Summit
• SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show and Conference)
• Solar Power International (organized by SEPA and SEIA)
• TEAMS 2008 Conference and Expo
• The Tulsa Wedding Show (Aug.)
• VoiceCon Orlando
• West Coast Women’s Show
• WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition
• World Tea Expo
• Worship Facilities Conference & Expo
TSW Fastest 50 qualification guidelines and criteria
• Winners will be evaluated…
• 50 percent on percentage of growth from 2006 to 2008
• 50 percent on total net square footage of growth from 2006 to 2008
• Show must have occurred in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
• Triennial shows may have occurred in 2005.
• Show must take place within the United States or Canada.
• Collocated shows must be submitted as one show, and will be considered if the collocation existed for all years under review. Shows that are not collocated for all three years must submit without the collocated space. For the latter case, verification materials must clearly identify the submitted show versus occasional collocated show.
• Only temporary space will be considered.
• Number of exhibiting companies will be used as a tiebreaker if needed.
• Shows under consideration will be required to submit floor plans for each year and permit verification of net square footage and number of exhibiting companies by the service contractor.
• An executive-level officer of the show management company or association official must sign supporting documents to certify growth figures.
• Shows that are not verifiable will be removed from consideration.
• Shows must fall within one or more of the following categories: trade, association or consumer
