#1 Tech Industry Event
The celebration of all things online has grown from just a few small events in 2008 to a buzz-worthy weeklong festival that draws 45,000 attendees. Next: May 19-25, 2014
#2 Tech Industry Event
Launched in New York in 2009, February’s Social Media Week has blossomed into an eight-city consortium that includes events around New York City as well as Lagos, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Bangalore, Barcelona, Milan, and Tokyo, with a separate lineup of cities for the supplementary September event. Next: February 2015
#3 Tech Industry Event
While it takes place 12 times annually instead of just once, the monthly meetup is well established as the gathering of choice for those clued in to the city’s burgeoning tech scene, with a full 37,000 members now on board. Next: April 1, 2014
#4 Tech Industry Event
Several thousand consumer electronics professionals fill the city each summer for the sprawling meeting, conference, and new technology showcase. Next: June 25-26, 2014
#5 Tech Industry Event (new to the list)
Yahoo C.E.O. Marissa Mayer, Twitter co-founder Evan Williams, and BuzzFeed founder Jonah Peretti were among the A-list tech world luminaries who spoke at "BizCon," an intimate, invitation-only gathering of thought leaders in 2013. Next: May 13, 2014
#6 Tech Industry Event (new to the list)
Billed as a "science fair for start-ups," the second annual event showcased some 400 tech companies in 2013, luring more than 10,000 attendees to Pier 92. Next: April 24, 2014
#1 Fashion Industry Event
Twice a year, the eyes of the fashion world turn to New York, while more than 100,000 industry insiders, fans, and would-be gate-crashers navigate a full week of live runway shows and glamorous parties. Mercedes-Benz remains the title sponsor of the event, with many of the shows taking place at the tents set up in Lincoln Center. Next: September 4–11, 2014
#2 Fashion Industry Event
One of the fashion industry’s most prestigious honors, the C.F.D.A.’s annual awards are handed out each spring at a lavish Lincoln Center ceremony. Next: June 2, 2014
#3 Fashion Industry Event
Taylor Swift and Fall Out Boy performed during the lingerie retailer’s supermodel showcase in 2013, an annual ogle-worthy spectacle that is broadcast to nearly 10 million people on CBS. Next: November 2014
#4 Fashion Industry Event (up from #5)
A mix of art, fashion, and social types crowd the hip young benefit event, which raised more than $450,000 for the Whitney’s Independent Study Program in 2013. Next: May 8, 2014
#5 Fashion Industry Event
Miley Cyrus presented Marc Jacobs and Robert Duffy with the Superstar Award at the annual red-carpet gala in 2013, held at Cipriani Wall Street. Next: October 2014
#1 Advertising Industry Event
The decade-old industry gathering now includes more than 200 mini events held at various venues around Midtown Manhattan, drawing some 90,000 attendees from 125 countries for a week of thought leadership seminars, glitzy parties, and more. Next: September 29-October 3, 2014
#2 Advertising Industry Event
For the 55th outing of advertising’s most venerable award show, the event will shift from spring to fall to coincide with Advertising Week. Next: October 1, 2014
#3 Advertising Industry Event (up from #4)
As the online advertising industry continues to grow, the digital marketing conference and expo does so as well, with 8,500 attendees at the New York edition last year. Next: November 5-6, 2014
#4 Advertising Industry Event
More than 1,200 executives and industry leaders attend the Ad Council’s prestigious award ceremony, which will mark its 61st edition this year. Next: November 19, 2014
#5 Advertising Industry Event
Launched by the One Club four years ago to supplement its longstanding One Show award ceremony, the cross-industry event attracts more than 5,000 professionals from advertising, design, filmmaking, and beyond. Next: May 5-9, 2014
#1 Political & Diplomatic Event
The newly renamed Bill, Hillary, and Chelsea Clinton Foundation organizes the annual U.N. Week meeting, which has arranged for more than $88 billion in philanthropic commitments over the years. Next: September 22-24, 2014
#2 Political & Diplomatic Event
A bigger draw during presidential election years, the 68th annual Smith dinner still made headlines in 2013 thanks to hard-hitting host Stephen Colbert. Next: October 2014
#3 Political & Diplomatic Event
New Mayor Bill de Blasio will be the jovial butt of jokes at the local answer to the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, with a theme of "Stuck With de Bill" this year. Next: March 22, 2014
#4 Political & Diplomatic Event (new to the list)
Dedicated to finding entrepreneurial solutions to global poverty, the second edition of the conference held at the United Nations was a who’s who of business and philanthropic leaders, with Bill Gates, Bono, Warren Buffett, and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon all in attendance. Next: June 2014
#1 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
The culinary world’s most prestigious honors are handed out to chefs, restaurateurs, cookbook authors, and food journalists in a two-tiered event including a dinner at Gotham Hall, followed three nights later by a Lincoln Center gala. Next: May 2 & 5, 2014
#2 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Nearly every famous face from the Food Network flocks to tastings, seminars, and parties for the annual tasting extravaganza, which has raised $7 million for hungry children in its six previous outings. Next: October 16-19, 2014
#3 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
After taking place in Washington for two years, the Specialty Food Association’s massive trade show returned to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center last year and will showcase some 180,000 products during this summer’s edition. Next: June 19-July 1, 2014
#4 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
The just-concluded event was expected to bring more than 16,000 restaurant industry professionals to the Javits Center for a full weekend of culinary demonstrations, product exhibits, seminars, and competitions. Next: March 2015
#5 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Big-name chefs like Daniel Boulud mingled with celebrities including Richard Gere at the 2013 edition of the gastronomic affair, which raised more than $820,000 for Citymeals. Next: June 9, 2014
#6 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
In 2013, the foodie-focused magazine marked the 25th anniversary of naming the country’s best up-and-coming cooks with a party featuring food by past winners from throughout the years. Next: Spring 2014
#1 Art, Design & Architecture Event
One of the preeminent events on the annual calendar for both amateur art lovers and industry professionals from around the world, the centerpiece of Armory Arts Week—which also includes the prestigious Art Show and an array of other marquee events—attracted more than 60,000 people to Piers 92 and 94 last year. Next: March 4-9, 2014
#2 Art, Design & Architecture Event
The four-day fair reeled in more than 43,000 people in 2013, with attendance by trade professionals growing some 20 percent. The Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS's Dining by Design—a showcase of dining room designs by interior designers, major brands, design students, and all types of artists—is colocated with the show. The expo will return for a 13th edition later this month. Next: March 20-23, 2014
#3 Art, Design & Architecture Event
The quarter-century-old show, which exhibits everything from bathroom fixtures to avant garde furniture design, saw attendance increase to nearly 30,000 people in 2013, including 570 exhibitors from 33 different countries. Next: May 17-20, 2014
#4 Art, Design & Architecture Event
Held at Pier 60 on the Hudson River, the gala award show honoring an array of achievements in the design world is the centerpiece of National Design Week. Next: October 2014
#5 Art, Design & Architecture Event
More than 400 artists showcase their works at the eclectic Brooklyn waterfront festival each year, which brings in more than 200,000 attendees. Next: September 26-28, 2014
#6 Art, Design & Architecture Event (new to the list)
The spin-off of London’s hugely influential contemporary art fair successfully debuted in New York in 2012 and will return to Randall’s Island Park for a third edition this year. More than 190 galleries from around the world will participate. Next: May 9-12, 2014
#7 Art, Design & Architecture Event
Tens of thousands of architecture and design lovers eagerly anticipate the annual opportunity to peak inside an array of traditionally off-limits city sites. Next: October 11-12, 2014
#8 Art, Design & Architecture Event (new to the list)
A-listers from art, fashion, and Hollywood converge at the Academy of Art’s buzzy annual party, with Diane von Furstenberg, Cindy Sherman, and Parker Posey among the boldface names in attendance last year. Next: April 7, 2014
#1 Hospitality Industry Event (up from #2)
After a disappointing post-Hurricane Sandy event in 2012, Hospitality Media Group’s trade show bounced back in 2013, with attendance jumping by almost 3,000 people to a total of 15,996. Next: November 9-11, 2014
#2 Hospitality Industry Event
Hotel industry C.E.O.s and other high-level executives make up the crowd at the 36-year-old conference hosted by the Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management at New York University. Next: June 1-3, 2014
#3 Hospitality Industry Event
The hospitality sales and marketing industry goes glam for the venerable award ceremony and gala, held each year at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel. Next: Winter 2015
#1 Media Event
A wide spectrum of more than 400 luminaries—from Vice President Joe Biden to Steven Spielberg, Christina Aguilera, and Justin Timberlake—walked the red carpet at the 2013 edition of Time magazine’s yearly salute to power and influence. Next: April 29, 2014
#2 Media Event
The print publishing world—and now, online entities as well—look to “the Ellies,” handed out at a dinner held at the New York Marriott Marquis, as the highest honor in the world of magazine production, Next: May 1, 2014
#3 Media Event (up from #4)
The annual celebration of all things high culture marked its 14th year in 2013, with participants ranging from Girls creator Lena Dunham to author Jonathan Lethem and Momofuku chef David Chang. Next: October 10-12 2014
#4 Media Event
First awarded in 1950, the most prestigious honor in the United States book publishing industry honored E.L. Doctorow with the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters in 2013. Next: November 19, 2014
#5 Media Event
A diverse lineup of female groundbreakers—from Barbara Streisand to Melinda Gates to Lady Gaga—were feted at the glamorous Carnegie Hall evening in 2013. Next: November 2014
#6 Media Event
The long-running luncheon paying homage to women in media will salute actress/musician Queen Latifah and Nightline co-anchor Cynthia McFadden, among others, at this year’s event. Next: April 28, 2014
#8 Media Event
Louis C.K.’s Louie, HBO’s Game Change, and NPR’s This American Life were among the shows honored for excellence in broadcasting at last year’s 72nd annual event. Next: May 19, 2014
#1 Entertainment Industry Event
Television networks woo advertisers while fans find out if their favorite shows will make the fall schedule at the yearly spectacle of hype, with the broadcast nets’ presentations now preceded by outings hosted by a growing array of cable and online outlets. Next: May 12-15, 2014
#2 Entertainment Industry Event
The premiere of Time Is Illmatic, a documentary about the rapper Nas, is set to open the 13th edition of New York’s biggest film festival this spring. Next: April 16-27, 2014
#3 Entertainment Industry Event
The three-decade-old festival now spans more than 1,400 live performances throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, attracting 120,000 attendees in 2013. Next: October 21-25, 2014
#4 Entertainment Industry Event
Now in its 52nd year, Lincoln Center’s prestigious movie festival consistently premieres films that go on to award-season glory. Next: September 26-October 12, 2014
#5 Entertainment Industry Event
Tony winner Hugh Jackman will host theater’s biggest evening for the fourth time this year during a live broadcast from Radio City Music Hall aired on CBS. Next: June 8, 2014
#6 Entertainment Industry Event
Director Rob Reiner of The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally will be honored at the 41st annual edition of the black-tie gala and dinner. Next: April 28, 2014
#7 Entertainment Industry Event
Launched in 2011, the rapidly growing festival will return for a fourth time this year, hosting Outkast, Vampire Weekend, the Strokes, and dozens of other acts on Randall’s Island. Next: June 6-9, 2014
#8 Entertainment Industry Event
House of Cards star and Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey will be feted by friends and colleagues at the 28th annual gala event. Next: April 9, 2014
#9 Entertainment Industry Event (new to the list)
Brooklyn’s answer to South by Southwest, the celebration of music, film, art, and innovation brought more than 80,000 people to Williamsburg in 2013 for a week’s worth of performances, screenings, and meetups. Next: June 12-19, 2014
#2 Beauty Industry Event
One of the city’s largest trade gatherings for professionals in any industry, the beauty show increased attendance to 62,000 people last year, with nearly 500 companies exhibiting. Next: March 9-11, 2014
#3 Beauty Industry Event
The Sir Elton John-hosted “Hot Pink Party” attracts a buzzy crowd of beauty industry professionals, as well as, in 2013, designers like Vera Wang and Michael Kors and celebrities including Kate Hudson. Next: April 28, 2014
#1 Trade Show & Convention
The Greater New York Auto Dealers Association's auto show—an exhibition that first took place in 1900—is now by far the city’s most-attended trade event, with more than one million people filing into the Javits Center each spring. Next: April 18-27, 2014
#2 Trade Show & Convention
Organizers announced this year they would add a special New York show just for comics—recognition that the event’s namesake has become overshadowed in the sea of movie, video game, and pop culture exhibitors who lured a record 130,000 to Comic Con last year. Next: October 9-12, 2014
#3 Trade Show & Convention
Attendance at the 2013 show dropped by 19 percent after moving to a December date—and getting caught in the middle of a big snowstorm—but it still ranks among the city’s biggest trade shows. Next: December 2014
#4 Trade Show & Convention
After bouncing around between December and early January dates, next year’s boat show will expand in size and return to its traditional time frame in late January. Next: January 21-25, 2015
#5 Trade Show & Convention
The event formerly known as the New York International Gift Fair is a twice-annual gathering that showcases companies in the home, lifestyle, and gift industries and reels in some 35,000 guests. Next: August 16-20, 2014
#6 Trade Show & Convention
One of the country’s largest gatherings of medical providers, the professional trade show continued to see attendance climb in 2013 with more than 54,000 people. Next: November 28-December 3, 2014
#7 Trade Show & Convention
The newly rebranded convention and expo run by the National Retail Federation drew 30,000 registrants from 86 countries, making it the event’s most successful edition yet. Next: January 12-14, 2014
#8 Trade Show & Convention
More than 200 breeds of dogs and cats are shown off at the mega-pet event that also attracts more than 35,000 human attendees. Next: Fall 2014
#9 Trade Show & Convention
Zombies, monsters, and anything retro were named top trends among the 1,150 exhibitors that gathered to showcase the latest and greatest in playthings this winter. Next: February 14-17, 2015
#10 Trade Show & Convention
With a dual focus on travel industry sessions and exhibits open to the general public, the Times’s travel show has found a niche as the city’s biggest travel trade show. Next: Winter 2015
