USA – Las Vegas, the Consumer Electronics Show and Reed Exhibitions emerged as the biggest winners at this year’s TSE awards.
Trade Show Executive’s Gold 100 Awards Gala and Summit honours the organisers of the 100 largest trade shows.
“2009 was a tough year,” said Darlene Gudea, president of Exhibition World’s US partner, Trade Show Executive Media Group. “Trade shows continued to get battered by the economy, making it more difficult for even the top achievers to maintain their show rankings.” But some shows defied gravity, growing even when zero growth was the norm.
The Las Vegas Market/Fall had a net area increase of 230 per cent, winning the TSE Grand Award for Most Dramatic Growth in Net Square Feet. Solar Power International grew exhibitors by 118 per cent, winning Most Dramatic Growth in Exhibitors, while Book Expo America jumped 67 per cent in attendance, capturing the award for Most Dramatic Growth in Attendance.
International CES was honored as Largest Annual Trade Show for the third year in a row. The giant electronics show spanned 158,000sqm net of exhibit space. The Grand Award for Largest Non-Annual Trade Show went to The International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition (ICUEE) and to Magic Marketplace as Largest Semi-Annual Trade Show.
Reed Exhibitions was honored as Top Show Organiser.
Solar Power International made its presence felt in 2009, coming away with top honours in two categories, Most Dramatic Growth in Exhibitors and Show to Watch. “The world is on the green-energy bandwagon, and this show is clearly in the right place at the right time,” said Gudea.
Other shows were noted for their adaptability to change and excellence on the cutting edge. Hanley Wood’s JLC Live earned Most Innovative Practices award and Reed Exhibitions was applauded for being At the Forefront of Technology with its Reed Touch Mobile App. The Consumer Electronics Association’s International Consumer Electronics Show tied with New Hope Natural Media’s Natural Products Expo East and West for Leader in Green Initiatives.
