More than 180 attendees, including fastest-growing show winners representing the top 50 shows, as well as their guests and sponsors, all came together to celebrate at the 2015 TSNN Awards Nov. 6-8 in Atlanta.

Awards were given onstage at the AmericasMart during a gala celebration emceed by The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore, with The American Coatings Show scoring the overall fastest-growing award for attendance and the ICSC New York National Conference snagging the overall fastest-growing award for net square footage.

“Thank you for awarding the ICSC,” said Tim McGuinness, vice president of Global Trade Expositions at International Council of Shopping Centers. “I would be remiss if I didn’t thank my team.”

The show jumped from 89,000 net square feet to 161,000 net sq. ft. between 2013 and 2014 in New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York.

Check out all of the night's amazing highlights produced by Convention New Television HERE. 

Earlier in the evening, the ICSC New York National Conference already had been named fastest-growing association show for net square footage and Enterprise Connect was named fastest-growing in the for-profit category for net square footage

The Coatings Show also was named earlier as the fastest-growing association show for attendance and KeHE Holiday & Product Innovation Show was the fastest-growing for-profit show for attendance.

Several other awards were handed out during a four-course meal with several jokes thrown in by not only Cantore, but also Greg Topalian, president of LeftField Media, who took the stage to help present the 2015 TSNN Awards Industry Icon Award to Britton Jones.

Cantore told everyone, “When I was checking into the Westin, everyone started checking out,” referring to the many times he has shown up to cover severe weather and people would know it was serious if he was in town.

Topalian took a few jabs at the trade show industry overall, joking about the high costs of Wi-Fi at certain venues and material handling costs overall

Jones took the stage and thanked his family, as well as long-time team members who were in the room, such as Sharon Enright and his cousin and business partner Mac Brighton, before reminding the crown to get involved in the industry.

The 2015 TSNN Awards “Best of Show” award winner also was unveiled. After a close race with five nominees represented in the room, AMC, Inc.’s LIGHTFAIR International grabbed the top prize.

“Thank you very much to those who voted for us,” said Rochelle Richardson, vice president of LIGHTFAIR. “We were up against some stiff competition. … It is an honor to work in this industry.”

This year’s $5,000 TSNN Awards Scholarship winner, Sophia Hatchitt from the University of Central Florida, took the stage to receive her honor presented by the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitor Authority’s John Leinen, the scholarship’s sponsor.

“This is an amazing opportunity, and I am so happy to be here,” Hatchitt said.

The Expo Group’s 2015 Show Manager of the Year Awards also were given out to five deserving show organizers, as well as checks for charities of their choice.

SmithBucklin’s Linda Trummel said, “I am thankful and blessed to work in an industry that I am truly passionate about.”

Billy Lynch from the Specialty Food Association said, “It’s truly an honor to accept this award. The trade show industry is so special to me.”

The three-day celebration weekend kicked off Friday night at the College Football Hall of Fame where everyone donned their favorite team colors, enjoyed the interactive exhibits and played games.

The next morning kicked off bright and early with the 2015 TSNN Awards Executive Conference at the Atlanta Convention Center of AmericasMart.

Jonathan “Skip” Cox, CEO of Exhibit Surveys, Inc., spoke with panelists Gwen Venable, vice president of Communications, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, and Kris Carroll, marketing manager for Marel Stork Poultry Processing, who worked together to optimize exhibitor ROI at the International Production & Processing Expo.

Venable said the key was to treat exhibitors like partners and keep lines of communication always open.

During the second session, Rick McConnell, who heads Informa in the U.S. and is immediate past chair of the Society of Independent Show Organizers, Brian Casey, who heads the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, talked about the overall state of the trade show industry.

With multiple quarters of growth, Casey let everyone know the industry is doing well right now, but McConnell warned show organizers to not sit back on their laurels and always continue to innovate.

During the final session, The Expo Group’s Dana Freker Doody spoke with Kristen Torres from the Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show about some fun ways attendees are engaged at her show.

One way the show creates buzz and drives attendance is by recruiting “Beef Ambassadors” who are chosen based on their social media presence and involvement in the local/regional association branches.

The final event of the 2015 TSNN Awards was held at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, where attendees enjoyed a brunch and took in the exhibits.

The awards wouuld not have been possible without the amazing support of the SPONSORS. Stay tuned on where the 2016 TSNN Awards will be headed to!