Tarsus Group’s Trade Show News Network (TSNN) is pleased to announce the release of the 2012 TSNN Top 250 Trade Shows in the United States.

Culled from show management and data supplied to TSNN, this year's list, which is exclusively sponsored by MarketArt, represents the top 250 trade shows held last year in the U.S. ranked by net square footage.

The full, searchable list can be found HERE.

The Consumer Electronic Association’s massive International CES show held in January in Las Vegas topped the 2012 list with impressive growth, jumping another 200,000 net square feet from 2011 to 2012, snagging a total 1,862,097 net sq. ft.

“We strive to keep the International CES as innovative and reflective of the dynamic CE industry,” said Karen Chupka, senior vice president of International CES and corporate business strategy, “so it’s terrific to be rewarded by retaining our No. 1 ranking on the TSNN list of Top 250 trade shows."

She added, "From the innovations on the showfloor to our world-class conference program and business/networking events, the International CES remains the global stage for innovation.”

Coming in at second place was AMT - The Association for Manufacturing Technology’s biennial International Manufacturing Technology Show, with 1,240,863 net sq. ft. at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

"IMTS 2012 was a remarkable statement about the health and vitality of manufacturing in the U.S.,” said Peter Eelman, AMT - The Association for Manufacturing Technology vice president - exhibitions and communications.

He added, "Show registration topped 100,000 for the first time in a dozen years, a true testament to how much manufacturers rely on IMTS to help them remain current and competitive. IMTS continues to establish itself as a top tier event, and we at AMT are pleased that it has taken such a prominent role in innovation and technology."

Once again, the city with the most shows on the 2012 TSNN Top 250 Trade Show list was Las Vegas, with 53 shows.

“Las Vegas is honored to be recognized as the No. 1 trade show destination for the 19th year in a row, and we share this achievement with our colleagues in the meetings and convention industry of Las Vegas who make this ranking possible,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. 

He added, “The success of Las Vegas is a testament to our ability to provide exceptional customer service and more value for the experience than any other destination.”

Orlando scored the second most number of shows on the list, with 27, followed by Chicago, with 20.

Some of the other top cities included New York City, with 16; New Orleans, with 11; Boston and Atlanta, with 10; Anaheim, with 8; Dallas, Indianapolis and San Francisco, with 7; Denver, Louisville and San Diego, with 6; and Washington, D.C., Salt Lake City and Rosemont, Ill., with 5.

Three of the show organizers with the most shows on the list are Reed Exhibitions, Nielsen Expositions and UBM, all with 10, followed closely by George Little Management, with 9.

Other companies with several shows on the list included SmithBucklin (7), J. Spargo (7), Hanley Wood Exhibitions (5), Hall-Erickson (4) and Tarsus Expositions U.S., Advanstar Communications, AMC and National Retail Federation, all with 3.

January for several years typically has been the busiest trade show month of the year, but in 2012, May took that crown, with 35 shows, followed by February, with 30 shows.

The slowest month of the year for trade shows on the 2012 TSNN Top 250 Trade Show list was December, with 6.

The full, searchable list can be found HERE.

The list on TSNN.com includes show name, link to show’s Web site, show dates and description, number of attendees, exhibitors, net square footage, show location and venue.

For a fuller list please contact Joyce Crisp, jcrisp@tarsus.com.