4th Annual TSNN Awards Will Draw More than 60 Show Organizers and VIPs Nov. 1-3 to Reno
October 27, 2013
When Trade Show News Network’s 4th Annual TSNN Awards: Celebrating Trade Show Excellence kicks off Nov. 1-3 in Reno, Nov., there will be not only more than 60 show organizers and their guests from the largest and fastest-growing trade shows in attendance and net square footage on hand, but there also will be the heads and chairs of several major industry associations, among other VIP guests.
There also will be sponsors, industry partners and staff on hand to take part in the three-day weekend.
Some of the shows represented include mega-events such as International CES, MAGIC Market Week and InfoComm International, as well as events representing industries ranging from unconventional gas to internet retail to beauty.
All of those shows, and the many others represented at the event, will be feted at TSNN Awards gala celebration Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Peppermill Reno. The top association and for-profit shows in the attendance and net square footage categories, and overall shows in each, will be honored.
“During some of the most challenging years in the trade show industry, the 2013 TSNN Awards Fastest-growing Trade Show winners not only managed to thrive, but also by very impressive numbers,” said TSNN President and Editor-in-Chief Rachel Wimberly.
She added, “We are really excited to fete all of the winners for an incredible three-day weekend celebration in Reno.”
Other awards will be given at the gala, including the Industry Icon Award to SmithBucklin’s President and CEO Henry S. Givray; the “Best of Show” award will be unveiled to one of the five nominees that were voted on through a social media campaign; the “Power of Events” award will be presented to Abilities Expos; and the inaugural $5,000 TSNN Awards scholarship, sponsored by Reno Tahoe USA, will be presented to University of Central Florida student Taylor Dudley.
To see all the winners being honored, click HERE for special awards and HERE for fastest-growing shows.
The Expo Group’s Show Manager of the Year Awards also are part of the evening celebration, with five show organizers from different-sized taking the stage to be presented with the iconic SMOTY obelisk trophy and a donation for a charity of their choice.
"The award winners continue to impress," said Ray Pekowski, president and CEO of The Expo Group. "Our judges annually struggle to choose five from among the group of smart, talented professionals."
To see the SMOTY winners, click HERE.
Adam Schaffer, founder of the original Tradeshow Week Fastest 50 awards and currently vice president, Tradeshows and Exhibitions for HelmsBriscoe, is executive producer and emcee for the gala event.
The weekend has a lot of more excitement in store, with the opening celebration being held at the Kingpin Lounge at the National Bowling Stadium and featuring ‘black light’ bowling, a 10-lane tourney and more surprises.
The next day is the TSNN Executive Conference at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center at which David Audrain, the chair of the Society of Independent Show Organizers, and Jason McGraw, the chair of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, will speak on the “State of the Industry.”
Other trade show industry association luminaries in the room will include Larry Arnaudet, who leads the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association; David Dubois, IAEE’s CEO and president; and Lew Shomer, president and CEO of SISO.
More sessions will include Givray speaking on “The Passion of Leadership” and The Expo Group’s Dana Freker Doody leading a session on “The 18,250-Day Show”, taking it from a 365-day experience to a 50-year career span.
For more information on the sessions, click HERE.
The event will then move over the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa next door for a lunch, followed by a keynote from Travelocity Founder Terry Jones.
The awards gala will be that evening, with a Parisian-themed brunch the next morning at the Nevada Museum of Art in honor of the opening of the Toulouse-Lautrec exhibit that weekend. For a full schedule of events, click HERE.
“Reno Tahoe USA is delighted to host the 2013 Trade Show News Network (TSNN) Awards,” said Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority President and CEO Christopher Baum.
He added, “This is a phenomenal opportunity to provide the esteemed TSNN award winners - and event attendees - with a memorable, rewarding experience befitting their achievements.”
The awards would not be possible without the generosity of the sponsors. For a full list, click HERE.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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