Trade Show News Network unveiled the 2018 TSNN Top Trade Shows list, with the CES show, held in January in Las Vegas, snagging the No. 1 spot.

The Consumer Technology Association’s show spanned 2,784,167 net square feet and drew 111,854 attendees to venues that included the Las Vegas Convention Center, Sand Expo Convention Center and several others in the city.

The 2018 TSNN Top Trade Shows complete list can be found HERE.

"This recognition from TSNN speaks to the expansion of the tech industry and the way that CES continues to change and adapt to welcome new exhibitors and attendees," said Karen Chupka, executive vice president, CES, CTA

She added, "As the largest and most influential technology event on the planet, we remain committed to providing our attendees with the highest quality show experience. CES will continue to grow and evolve as global companies continue to create transformative tech that's solving today's most pressing societal challenges."

Taking the No. 2 spot was the International Manufacturing Technology Show, owned by AMT-The Association For Manufacturing Technology, and held last September in Chicago.

The show had a 1,424,232 net sq. ft. showfloor and 129,415 attendees at McCormick Place.

“The record size and attendance at IMTS 2018 reflect the renewal of manufacturing,” said Peter R. Eelman, vice president – Exhibitions & Business Development at AMT.

He added, “IMTS 2018 showcased advanced technologies — such as connectivity, digitization, automation, software and additive manufacturing — as much as it did conventional production equipment. A dynamic manufacturing industry collided with a strong economy to create our biggest show ever.”

Once again, the city of Las Vegas topped the 2018 TSNN Top Trade Shows list with 48 shows held in the city.  

“It’s an incredible honor to celebrate 25 years as the No. 1 trade show destination in North America, and for Las Vegas, this is just the beginning of great things to come,” said LVCVA CEO and President Steve Hill.

He added, “Throughout the destination, we are seeing astonishing developments and investment you won’t find anywhere else and we look forward to continued growth and success with our partners and clients. The Las Vegas skyline is evolving rapidly- and there is certainly no limit in sight.”

Orlando and Chicago tied for the No. 2 spot for cities with most shows on the list, with 21, followed by Atlanta, with 17; New York, with 13; San Diego, with 11; Anaheim, Boston and New Orleans, with 9; and Dallas rounded out the top 10 cities, with 8.

It should come as no surprise after the mega-buy of UBM by Informa Exhibitions, that Informa has the most shows on the list overall, with 20.

“When joining Informa Exhibitions, my goal was to create communities around the globe that empower industries, businesses and professionals,” said Charlie McCurdy, CEO of Informa Exhibitions.

He added, “This has remained a strong focus and our achievement as a leading exhibitions organizer can be attributed to our continued commitment to organize market-defining events that support and engage communities 365 days a year. We are proud of the teams that have contributed to our success and consistently provide customers and partners with powerful experiences that enable business opportunities. Having 20 events included in this year’s TSNN Top 250 list is quite an achievement and a testament to our efforts and performance as a combined group.”

The company with the second highest number of shows on the list was Reed Exhibitions, with 10, followed by Clarion, with 8.

Shows who qualified for the 2018 TSNN Top Trade Shows list automatically will also be qualified as possibly being named one of the top fastest-growing shows in the U.S. and invited to an exciting weekend celebration at the 2019 TSNN Awards Nov. 15-17 in Dallas. Winners will be announced in April.