November 11, 2022

Trade Show News Network (TSNN) celebrated achievement, innovation and leadership in trade shows with the 12th Annual TSNN Awards and education conference, held Nov. 8-9 at host venue Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. 

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) rolled out the red carpet with a spectacular opening party at Nobu Hotel Villa that represented Las Vegas at its best. 

“The 2022 TSNN Awards was an incredible celebration of the best of the best people and shows in our great industry,” said TSNN President Rachel Wimberly. “Caesars Entertainment went above and beyond to create a memorable event. Congratulations to all of the finalists and award winners!” 

The robust education conference kicked off with the “State of the Industry” panel discussion, where the overall message was that of recovery and hope. 

“We’re still skiing uphill, but we’re optimistic,” said David DuBois, CEO and president, IAEE. 

Full recovery is expected by 2024, according to Cathy Breden, CEO of CEIR, with leading indicators such as attendance returning quicker. Vinnie Polito, incoming CEO of SISO, was encouraged by the fact that along with the return of existing shows, smaller members of his organization are launching brand new events. Staffing shortages and slow U.S. visa processing times continue to be obstacles for show growth. 

Panel discussions, moderated by Danica Tormohlen and Stephanie Selesnick, highlighted best practices in addressing some of the industry’s pressing issues, including sustainability initiatives, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, and creative ways to get attendees back to in-person events.

Caesars Entertainment, the event’s premiere sponsor, dazzled event participants with a glamorous Awards Gala that proved to be a memorable occasion for everyone who has worked so hard during these incredibly challenging past few years.

This year, TSNN received a record-breaking number of nominations in 12 categories for the Innovation Awards and an incredible number of nominations for the Outstanding Show Pro Awards. 

2022 TSNN Comeback Awards, (see finalists here) honored shows that have demonstrated resilience by “coming back” in areas such as attendance, overall business excellence and customer connectivity. The winners were:

• Customer Connectivity: OFFPRICE Show
• Exhibitor Excellence: The 2022 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show)
• Business Excellence: The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI)
• Outstanding Attendance: JCK
• Overall Resilience: MODEX

2022 TSNN Innovation Awards (see finalists here) went to: 

• Best Exhibitor Program: Affordable Shopping Destination - ASD Market Week
• Best Use of Technology: Anime NYC
• Created (Maintained) Culture: Channel Partners Conference & Expo
• Giving Back (Charitable): World of Concrete
• Hybrid-Virtual Experience: New York Vet
• Savvy Marketing Campaign: InfoComm
• Team Building: VMX 2022
• Created (Maintained) Community: AQS QuiltWeek
• Best Engagement (Think Fun!): DISTRIBUTECH International 2022
• Most Innovative Design (or Redesign): Live Design International (LDI)
• Best Use of Data: Global Pet Expo

Karen Chupka, Consumer Technology Association, was honored with the Industry Icon Award for producing the association’s Consumer Electronic Show (CES), the world’s most influential tech event and the largest trade show in the U.S, and for her widely recognized contribution to the trade show industry.

“A great thing about what we all do is that it takes a village,” Chupka said when accepting the award. “In our industry, we share so much information and we’re always there for each other, and not many organizations and industries have that. Always reach out and ask somebody because we’ve all been through so many things and we’re all willing to share and help make each of our events a little better.”

The Outstanding Show Pros who were honored include:

• Kim Roehricht and Amy Bartz – AWFS
• Jennifer Muna – International Market Centers
• Emily Hartstone – From the Hart Management
• Diana Rich – Emerald
• Dawn Walton – Questex
• Kelly Helfman – Informa Markets 
• Brittany Weltcheff – Association of Equipment Manufacturers
• Diane Vidoni – eMerge Americas
• Joseph Marks – Informa Tech
• Liz Bothwell – Informa

In addition, Tommy Goodwin, Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance, received the Industry Support Award; Specialty Coffee Association was honored with Sustainability Award; and Janice Rogers, Diversified Business Communications, received the DEI Leadership Award.

Rogers encouraged the audience to foster the DEI culture in their organizations. “If it's your first step or your 20th, keep going forward because we’re all going to make change together,” she said.

Thank you to all our sponsors and partners for making the TSNN Awards possible! View here: https://www.t-awards.com/sponsorship/sponsors

Take a spin around social media with #TSNNAwards to see all the fun pictures!  

September 23, 2022

A record-breaking number of nominations came flying in for the 2022 TSNN Awards, including nominations in 12 categories for the Innovation Awards and an incredible number of nominations for the Outstanding Show Pro Awards.

TSNN has named those who will be recognized with Outstanding Show Pro Awards and unveiled the finalists for the Innovation Awards as well as the Comeback Awards, which honor shows that have demonstrated resilience by “coming back” in areas such as attendance, overall business excellence and customer connectivity.

The 2022 TSNN Awards (www.T-awards.com) are on tap Nov. 8-9 at Caesars Forum, with an opening party at Nobu Villa, followed by a robust education conference the following day featuring the “State of the Industry” panel. That night will be capped off by the awards gala, where the overall winners will be celebrated.

“We are absolutely thrilled by the tremendous response from the industry by sending in a record-breaking amount of nominations for shows and people to be honored at this year’s awards in Las Vegas,” said TSNN President Rachel Wimberly.

She added, “Caesars Entertainment, our premiere sponsor for the event, is rolling out the red carpet to ensure the awards are a memorable occasion for everyone who has worked so hard during some very challenging times.”

Please click HERE for the finalists for the Comeback Awards and click HERE for the finalists for the Innovation Awards.

The Outstanding Show Pros who will be honored include:

Kim Roehricht and Amy Bartz – AWFS

Jennifer Muna – International Market Centers

Emily Hartstone – From the Hart Management

Diana Rich – Emerald

Dawn Walton – Questex

Kelly Helfman – Informa Markets

Brittany Weltcheff – Association of Equipment Manufacturers

Diane Vidoni – eMerge Americas

Joseph Marks – Informa Tech

Liz Bothwell – Informa

There are several other award winners who already have been named and will be celebrated at the awards gala, including:

Karen Chupka – Consumer Technology Association – Industry Icon Award

Tommy Goodwin – Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance – Industry Support Award

Janice Rogers – Diversified Business Communications – DEI Leadership Award

Specialty Coffee Association – Sustainability Award

The 2022 TSNN Awards would not be possible without the amazing support of the following sponsors: Host Sponsor Caesars Entertainment, Venue Sponsor CAESARS FORUM, Hotel Sponsor Caesars Palace, Opening Party Sponsor Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, Registration Sponsor Maritz Global Events, Gold Sponsors Fern, ASP, eventPower and Resorts World Las Vegas, Presenting Sponsors SMT Expo and Personify, Photography Sponsor The Photo Group, as well as Silver Sponsors SmartSource, Expocad, Map Your Show, Bear Analytics, Convention Data Services, Vegas Collection, The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas, Cadmium, Shepard and EventsPass.

Interested in joining this amazing group and being a sponsor at the 2022 TSNN Awards? Contact Arlene Shows – ashows@tarsusus.com.

 

Trade Show News Network (TSNN) is thrilled to unveil it will be celebrating the 2022 TSNN Awards Nov. 8-9 at host venue CAESARS FORUM in Las Vegas.

The two-day festive event will feature a bevy of awards celebrating all of the amazing innovation at trade shows in the past year, as well as the people who are the best of the best at what they do.

The 12th Annual 2022 TSNN Awards gala celebration and educational conference will be held at the new CAESARS FORUM, which is the host sponsor of the overall event.

“Caesars Entertainment is honored to partner with TSNN to host their Annual Awards program," said Michael Massari, chief sales officer, Caesars Entertainment. "In the year of recovery, the industry titans supporting and being recognized at this year’s event will have an opportunity to experience the brand new 500,000-square-foot CAESARS FORUM in Las Vegas.”

He added, “The Trade Show Industry plays an essential role in the economic engine of the United States and the world. This year's TSNN Awards will celebrate the passion and resiliency of our industry.”

The awards program will feature the “Best of Innovation Awards” – shows that have truly shone brightly in the past two years with maybe a new marketing program or an amazing virtual or hybrid event or they could have created a great community or found new ways to serve their audiences.

TSNN is looking for any or all great shows to submit when the application process opens in another month. In the meantime, please send TSNN Marketing Director Arlene Shows any shows you want to brag about (even your own!) ashows@tarsusus.com.

The gala awards also will celebrate people in the trade show industry who have stepped forward and demonstrated incredible leadership throughout these difficult times.

There also have been people who have led the charge to ensure more diversity and inclusion or given selflessly to help our industry and they, too, will be celebrated, among many others.

“With the past two and half years being like no other in the challenges it represented, there is no better time to celebrate the incredible resiliency, creativity and innovation in our amazing industry,” said TSNN President Rachel Wimberly.

She added, “Caesars Forum is the perfect venue host for us to celebrate this year’s awards. We can’t wait to raise a toast to all of the great shows and people!

The TSNN Awards would not be possible without the support of our sponsors, including primary sponsor Caesars Forum, Hotel Sponsor Caesars Palace, Opening Party Sponsor Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, Registration Sponsor Maritz Global Events, Gold Sponsors ASP and Resorts World Las Vegas, Presenting Sponsors SMT Expo and Personify, Photography Sponsor The Photo Group, as well as silver sponsors SmartSource, Expocad, Map Your Show, Bear Analytics and The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas.

There are a limited number of sponsorships available. For sponsorship enquiries, please contact John Rice – jrice@tsnn.com or Arlene Shows ashows@tarsusus.com.