Issue link: https://tradeshowexecutive.epubxp.com/i/107551
FA S TE S T 50 International CES Trade Show Executive Announces the Fastest 50 Class of 2012 BY DARLENE GUDEA, president, HIL ANDERSON, senior editor and CARRI JENSEN, manager of directories Oceanside, CA – An elite group of shows vaulted over some 4,000 other trade shows in the U.S. by growing at least seven times the average growth rate of 2012. Te 50 top performers in each of three metrics — net square feet, number of exhibiting companies and attendance — have now been identifed and will be honored for their elite status at the Trade Show Executive (TSE) Fastest 50 Awards & Summit, May 8-10, 2013 at the Swissôtel Chicago. A total of 93 shows made the list, due to legendary records in multiple metrics (see page 7 for list of winners). The Fastest 50 Class of 2012 serves as a scorecard that lets the industry know which shows are on the fast track with more exhibitors chasing bigger crowds of buyers. The total exhibit space for the Fastest 50 was 19,684,257 nsf. Attendance reached 1,656,514 and the exhibitor count totaled 62,129. With so many shows and statistics, the Fastest 50 Class of 2012 serves as a scorecard that lets the industry know which shows are on the fast track with more exhibitors chasing bigger crowds of buyers. Te total exhibit space for the Fastest 50 was 19,684,257 nsf. Attendance reached 1,656,514 and the exhibitor count totaled 62,129. Tose numbers boiled down to per-show averages of 211,659 nsf, 668 exhibitors and 18,203 attendees. Firing on All Cylinders Many of the Fastest 50 shows will be honored in more than one category. Te American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, Coverings, the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), the Rental Show and SGIA Expo (Specialty Graphics Imaging Association) were among the 41 events out of 93 that were in the top 50 in two or three metrics. Some shows are fairly new and still on the small side, but they certainly appear to have captured the right lightning in a bottle and are on their way to becoming major must-attend events in their particular industry sectors. Other shows, such as the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), MAGIC Marketplace, the Mid-America Trucking Show, NPE – Te International Plastics Showcase and International Pool/Spa/Patio Expo are wellknown brands that are large enough to be fxtures on the TSE Gold 100 roster of largest U.S. trade shows. A total of 48 of the 93 Fastest 50 shows were managed by associations, societies or other not-for-proft organizations. Independent organizers were behind 45 events. Tey say that trade shows are a refection of the industry they serve, whether growth or contraction, but the Fastest 50 winners served buyers and sellers in every major industry sector. Te roster included shows for consumer goods, such as the International Consumer Electronics Show, Jewelers International Showcase, and a bevy of apparel events including MAGIC Marketplace and AccessoriesTeShow. Te construction arena was represented by shows such as Coverings, World of Asphalt and the ArchitectureBoston Expo. Te healthcare and medical science sector was well represented with 17% market share. Te American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting and American Toracic Society International Conference were ranked in the Fastest 50 in all three metrics. Continued on page 8 6 February 2013 | Trade Show Executive Pool/Spa/Patio Expo FAST FACTS TSE'S FASTEST 50 BY THE NUMBERS These shows are packing the aisles and filling up ever-larger floor plans – and they are not just the mid-sized shows: 3% are 1,000,000+ nsf 12% ranged from 350,000 to 999,999 nsf 26% spanned 125,000 to 349,999 nsf 31% covered 50,000 to 124,999 nsf 28% ranged from 15,000 to 49,999 nsf 3% 28% 12% 31% 26%