2019 TOP Trade Shows List

The 2019 TSNN Top Trade Show List is exclusively sponsored by Expocad and the Orlando/Orange County Convention Center.

For a complete 2019 TSNN Top Trade Shows list that includes contact information please contact John Rice jrice@tsnn.com.

* Professional attendee figure includes exhibit personnel

TSNN Rank by NSF Event Event Date(s) Venue
1
CES At the intersection of creativity, passion and ingenuity, CES® inspires the spirit of innovation. More than 4500 exhibitors showcased the latest tech innovations to 175000 attendees across a record-setting 2.9 million nsf of exhibit space in Las Vegas. From global brands to visionary startups these companies set the world abuzz with the promise of technology.
Organizer: Consumer Technology Association
# Exhibitors: 4,550
# Attendees: 107,148
01/08/2019 to 01/11/2019
Las Vegas Convention Center/Sands Expo & Convention Center/Various Hotels
NSF: 2,930,421
2
ICUEE - The Intl. Construction & Utility Equipment Exposition ICUEE is the utility industry's largest trade show, covering 30+ acres of indoor and outdoor exhibits, and bringing together more than 19,000 utility professionals every two years. Exhibitors include construction and utility equipment manufacturers as well as technology and service providers to the utility and construction market.
Organizer: Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)
# Exhibitors: 1,017
# Attendees: 11,458
10/01/2019 to 10/03/2019
Kentucky Exposition Center
NSF: 1,340,749
3
Florida RV SuperShow Exhibitors are representatives from the recreational vehicle industry, including manufacturers, camping destinations, tourism, aftermarket accessories, insurance, finance and custom enhancements, as well as collision and repair companies.
Organizer: Florida RV Trade Association
# Exhibitors: 340
# Attendees: 1,100
01/15/2019 to 01/20/2019
Florida State Fairgrounds
NSF: 1,219,591
4
SEMA 2019 Show (Specialty Equipment Market Association) The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry's brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week, the SEMA Show attracts more than 160,000 industry leaders from over 130 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, powersports and RV markets.
Organizer: Specialty Equipment Market Association
# Exhibitors: 2,400
# Attendees: 161,829*
11/05/2019 to 11/08/2019
Las Vegas Convention Center
NSF: 1,181,000
5
America's Largest RV Show America's Largest RV Show is a hybrid show with the first two days dedicated to the industry and the last 5 open to consumers. Industry days allow dealers and campgrounds to view the latest RV models as well as participate in industry training. Consumer days allow the public to shop and compare RVs from every major manufacturer as well as the latest accessories and camping supplies.
Organizer: Pennsylvania RV & Camping Assn.
# Exhibitors: 210
# Attendees: 1,498
09/09/2019 to 09/15/2019
Giant Center
NSF: 1,056,068
6
2019 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) NBAA’s 2019 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) was a huge success, drawing in nearly 25k attendees from around the world to Las Vegas, NV. NBAA-BACE is the annual opportunity for key aviation contacts to come together to collaborate & network in one place to get critical work within the industry accomplished. Key highlights at this years’ event included a dynamic display of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles, a focus on sustainability in business aviation and how to retain and attack the next generation workforce. Key aviation contacts include current and prospective business aircraft owners, manufacturers, product and service providers, all levels of flight department personnel, as well as students and Young Professionals (YoPros).
Organizer: National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)
# Exhibitors: 970
# Attendees: 24,823*
10/22/2019 to 10/24/2019
Las Vegas Convention Center
NSF: 965,700
7
GIE+EXPO (Green Industry & Equipment Expo) GIE+EXPO is the industry's largest showcase for outdoor power equipment distributed through dealers, retailers and distributors for consumer, professional and rental use. The show features lawn and garden products and outdoor leisure items distributed through home centers, dealers and retailers as well as light construction and landscape equipment used by general contractors, landscapers, golf course superintendents, municipalities and parks, and recreation crews.
Organizer: Sellers Expositions
# Exhibitors: 865
# Attendees: 18,231
10/10/2019 to 10/18/2019
Kentucky Exposition Center
NSF: 953,698
8
NAB Show

NAB Show is the world's largest event encompassing The M.E.T. Effect, the convergence of media, entertainment and technology. With 103,000 attendees from 161 countries and 1,800+ exhibitors, NAB Show is the ultimate marketplace for solutions that transcend traditional broadcasting and embrace content delivery to new screens in new ways. From creation to consumption, across multiple platforms and countless nationalities, NAB Show is where global visionaries convene to bring content to life.

Organizer: National Association of Broadcasters
# Exhibitors: 1,632
# Attendees: 40,111
04/06/2019 to 04/11/2019
Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas
NSF: 924,876
9
PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO PACK EXPO Las Vegas brings together end users and suppliers from virtually all packaged goods industries for three days that will powered innovation in packaging. It is the largest packaging event of the year.
Organizer: PMMI - The Association for Packing and Processing Technologies
# Exhibitors: 2,015
# Attendees: 31,007
09/23/2019 to 09/25/2019
Las Vegas Convention Center
NSF: 889,599
10
FABTECH FABTECH is North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event. FABTECH provides a convenient ‘one-stop shop’ venue where you can meet with world-class suppliers, see the latest industry products and developments, and find the tools to improve productivity, increase profits and discover new solutions to all of your metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing needs.
Organizer: AWS/CCAI/FMA/PMA/SME
# Exhibitors: 1,696
# Attendees: 48,828*
11/11/2019 to 11/14/2019
McCormick Place
NSF: 815,455
Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.