Emerald Expositions’ 2015 edition of NY NOW, the Market for Home, Lifestyle + Gift, to be held Aug. 15-19 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, will have a record-breaking amount of new exhibitors.

This year’s Summer NAMM show drew 13,936 attendees July 9-11 in Nashville, which was a 13-percent increase, compared with 2014.

The National Association of Music Merchants show saw another increase in exhibiting companies, making it the largest mid-year event since 2006, with 494 exhibiting companies representing more than 1,600 brands.

Running traditionally in later January, Emerald Expositions’ Outdoor Retailer will move to Jan. 7-10 show dates for next year in response to not only attendee and exhibitor feedback, but also to shift the event away from the nearby Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

The 2016 show originally was scheduled Jan. 20-23.

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events Public Events Council will be accepting applications until Sept. 30 for its Top Public Events Recognition Program, which recognizes best practices in the business-to-consumers segment of the exhibitions and events industry.

The 2015 Society of Independent Show Organizers’ Leadership Conference will not only take a look at what the Millennials really want, but also what it takes to be a CEO and how the SXSW grew into the massive festival it is today, among a host of other topics.

“This Leadership program is the most comprehensive we have ever had for younger professionals taking on more responsibility,” said SISO Executive Director Lew Shomer.

Adding to its expanding portfolio in Southeast Asia, U.K.-based Tarsus Group acquired 50 percent of the AMB Group via a joint venture vehicle - AMB Tarsus Exhibitions Sdn. Bhd. - from Andrew Siow and Richard Yew.

“AMBT is an excellent strategic acquisition and allows Tarsus to build scale in South East Asia with an entrepreneurial partner,” said Tarsus Group Managing Director Douglas Emslie.

He added, “Many of the ASEAN economies are growing strongly and the AMBT joint venture will offer us first-mover advantage in some key sectors in these exciting markets.”

Just days before Comic-Con International kicks off its annual convention, San Diego likely is breathing a huge sigh of relief, with its biggest event signing on to stay in the city through 2018.

With 130,000 attendees expected July 8-12 at the San Diego Convention Center, the event has grown so large, there was talk that it might move somewhere else when the current contract expired next year.

But, even with hotels booked for miles around and the halls filled to the brim with exhibits, the show will stay put.

Launched in 1992, Anime Expo, which promotes Japanese Pop Culture and the arts related to Japanese Animation, recently signed on to be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center through 2019.

The show, on tap July 2-5 and owned by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, the show is billed as the largest anime convention in North America, with 100,000 attendees expected at this year’s event.

In 2014, the show attracted 80,000 attendees, and in 2013, the show drew 61,000 attendees.

Even though Tropical Storm Bill was making land and approaching Austin, Texas, HITEC 2015 packed just as strong of a punch.  The show June 15-18 at the Austin Convention Center and topped last year’s numbers, with more than 6,000 attendees, a sold out exhibit floor of 86,000 square feet and 823 exhibitors.

“We have seen standing room only in several boot camps, we sold out for exhibitors, and we see how important technology has become in the hospitality sector,” said Steven Stout, director of meetings and special events, HFTP.

When the recent United Fresh 2015 annual convention and expo wrapped up at Chicago’s McCormick Place, United Fresh donated 39,019 lbs. of produce and 207 lbs. of assorted dry food to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Volunteers helped collect donations from the convention floor, which is filled with fresh produce companies, to benefit those in need serviced by Greater Chicago Food Depository partner agencies such as food pantries, soup kitchen, and other emergency feeding centers.