CHICAGO – The Golden Globes… The Oscars… The Emmys… The trade show industry’s favorites are the Gold 100 and Fastest 50. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the trade show industry. As vaccinations continue, there is light at the end of the long, dark tunnel; and as the industry turns the page on this virus, it’s time to celebrate. The Gold 100 and Fastest 50 are all about that: celebrating the best of the best. Optimism is running high, especially after the announcement that this June, World of Concrete (WOC) will be the first Gold 100 show to return to Las Vegas since the pandemic.
Details of the Gold 100 and Fastest 50 awards are presented in a combined Gold 100 and Fastest 50 Awards Guide. Click here to see all rankings: TSE’s Magazine
The 2019 Gold 100 shows generated a total of 44,803,916 NSF. There were 117,748 exhibiting companies and the shows on the list attracted 3.5 million visitors.
When calculating the number of shows by category, Gold 100 shows averaged 448,039 NSFs, 1,177 exhibitors and 35,395 attendees. Individual Gold 100 shows ranged in size from 2,930,421 NSFs at CES to 171,351 NSFs at the Cattle Industry Annual Convention & NCBA Trade Show (National Cattlemen’s Beef Association). The top 10 shows on the Gold 100 list had a combined total of 12,032,519 NSFs, or 26.9% of the combined total of 44,803,916 NSFs for all selected shows.
Fastest 50 organizers experienced extreme growth. The shows that make up the 2019 Fastest 50 class experienced exponential growth compared to the TSE Composite Index for all shows held in 2019. Not only did the Fastest 50 list experience double-digit growth in exhibit space compared to the industry’s overall increase of 0.5%, but these shows saw 15.2% more exhibiting companies than the previous year and also saw a 19.2% increase in total attendance.
The Trade Show Executive Next 50 are the shows that experienced strong growth in their numbers at rates that closely matched those of the Fastest 50. The Next 50 was based on growth rates in exhibit space, exhibitors and attendance, using the same methodology as the Fastest 50. A total of 105 shows made the Next 50 list.
“Congratulations to all of the Gold 100 and Fastest 50 honorees. Earning this designation is a tremendous accomplishment,” said Gabrielle Weiss, TSE Vice President and Editor-in-Chief. “There’s no doubt the industry has faced its challenges, but looking back at these incredible shows gives us great hope as we begin our path to recovery.”
GOLD 100 AWARD
The famous electronics super-show, CES, won three Grand Awards, including the trophy for Largest Trade Show of 2019. ICUEE, the International Construction and Utility Equipment Exhibition, organized by the Equipment Manufacturers Association, won four awards, including the award for Largest Trade Show of 2019.
The winners of the Gold 100 Grand Prix:
The biggest trade show of 2019:CES, hosted by the Consumer Technology Association, with a whopping 2,930,421 NSFs.
The largest non-annual trade show of 2019:ICUEE, organized by the Equipment Manufacturers Association, which included 1,340,749 NSFs.
Fastest Growing Gold 100 Salon by Net Square Footage in 2019 (in percentage growth): MJBizCon, hosted by Marijuana Business Daily, with 251,200 NSFs.
The Fastest Growing Non-Annual Gold 100 Salon by Net Square Footage in 2019 (in percentage growth): ProMat, organized by MHI, with 425,076 nsf.
The fastest growing Gold 100 medical trade show in 2019 (by mixed growth): ASH Meeting & Exposition, organized by the American Society of Hematology, with 203,500 NSF.
The fastest growing Gold 100 trade show run by an association in 2019 (by mixed growth): PRINTING UNITED, organized by the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (now PRINTING United Alliance), with 346,310 nsf.
The best trade show organizer of 2019:Informa Markets, with 13 issues ranked in the Gold 100.
The most innovative show of 2019:CES, organized by the Consumer Technology Association.
The Benefactor’s Prize:ISC West (International Security Conference and Exhibition), organized by Reed Exhibitions.
The best use of technology in 2019:G2E — Global Gaming Expo, organized by Reed Exhibitions and the American Gaming Association.
The Marketing Genius Award:ICUEE, organized by the Equipment Manufacturers Association.
The Slam Dunk Award: Best New Idea of 2019:Vision Expo East, organized by Reed Exhibitions.
The biggest trade show of 2019:ICUEE, organized by the Equipment Manufacturers Association.
TOP 50 FASTEST AWARDS
The shows that peaked experienced phenomenal growth in 2019 before the world came to a screeching halt.
The 83 shows on the 2020 Trade Show Executive (TSE) Fastest 50 list, which consists of trade shows held in the United States in 2019, recorded growth rates of more than 15% in all three measured metric categories: exhibit space sold, number of exhibitors and total attendance. The list includes events with a minimum of 15,000 net square feet (NSF) and represents a cross-section of industry sectors.
The winners of the Fastest 50 Grand Prix:
The fastest growing trade show in 2019 according to Blended Growth:FIBO USA, organized by Reed Exhibitions.
Fastest Growing Annual Show by Net Square Foot Growth Percentage in 2019:ICSC Southeast Conference and Decision Making, organized by the International Council of Shopping Centers.
The fastest growing annual trade show by percentage growth in exhibitors in 2019:ASCO Annual Meeting, hosted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Fastest growing annual trade show by percentage of attendance growth in 2019:FIBO USA, organized by Reed Exhibitions.
Fastest Growing Non-Annual Show by Percentage Growth in Net Square Feet, Exhibitors and Attendance in 2019:Aluminium USA, organized by Reed Exhibitions.
Fastest Growing Salon by Net Square Feet in 2019:ICUEE, organized by the Equipment Manufacturers Association.
The fastest growing trade show in terms of number of exhibitors in 2019:SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting & Outdoor Trade Show), organized by the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
The fastest growing trade show in terms of attendance in 2019:ProMat, organized by MHI.
Top Overall Organizer in terms of number of Fastest 50 Shows and Next 50 Shows in 2019:Information.
The fastest growing medical trade show in 2019 according to Blended Growth:AAHKS Annual Meeting, hosted by the American Association of Hip & Knee Surgeons.
The fastest growing association-run trade show in 2019:National Catholic Education Association Annual Convention and Exposition, hosted by the National Catholic Education Association.
“We were amazed by the creativity of the show organizers’ submissions. It was a difficult process to select the Grand Prix winners. Thanks to this think tank, it’s no wonder the industry is now well positioned to begin the road to recovery. We look forward to celebrating future shows and show organizers as the industry restarts,” said Weiss.
Submit a Fastest 50 entry for your 2020 show to: and submit a Gold 100 entry for your 2020 show to:
Contact Gabrielle Weiss at (312) 493-7753 or gweiss@tradeshowexecutive.com