#1 Trade Show & Convention
The 60th annual San Francisco International Auto Show returns to the Moscone Center this fall with specialty displays, a V.I.P. gala, and visits from automotive executives and prominent journalists to celebrate its diamond anniversary. The largest exhibition of any kind in the greater Bay Area—and the second largest auto show in the western U.S.—the show fills the 1.2 million-square-foot Moscone Convention Center with the latest car models from some 40 manufacturers. Next: November 18-26, 2017
#2 Trade Show & Convention
Established in 1954, the Winter Fancy Food Show is now the largest specialty food and beverage show on the West Coast. Last year, 33,000 food-industry insiders attended to check out the hottest new products and trends from 1,400 exhibitors. Over the years, the show has helped launch brands like Popchips, Honest Tea, Ben & Jerry’s, and ZICO Coconut Water. Next: January 21-23, 2018
#3 Trade Show & Convention
In only three years, Watermark Conference for Women Silicon Valley has become the largest personal and professional networking event for women on the West Coast, with more than 100 industry- and thought-leaders addressing an audience of 6,500. Breakout-session topics this year included leadership, career advancement, workplace equity, personal branding, finance, and more. Past speakers include Sheryl Sandberg, Viola Davis, and Kara Swisher. Next: February 23, 2018
#4 Trade Show & Convention (new to the list)
HustleCon, now in its fourth year, is a one-day event where the world's most successful non-technical start-up founders spill their secrets about the highs and lows of the businesses. Organizers describe it as business school in one day, connecting attendees with speakers like Sam Yagan from OkCupid, Danae Ringelmann from Indiegogo, and Andy Dunn from Bonobos. The 2017 lineup includes YouTube sensation Casey Neistat, Away co-founder Jen Rubio, and ClassPass co-founder Payal Kadakia. The event is limited to 2,500 guests and sells out every year. Next: June 23, 2017
#5 Trade Show & Convention (new to the list)
HempCon’s 420 Freedom Festival has catered to the area’s card-carrying medical marijuana users since 2014. In 2017, the exhibition boasted 180 vendors offering medical marijuana, legal services, education, equipment, and accessories to about 12,000 convention attendees. The sales permitting phase of California’s marijuana legalization measure—expected in 2018—should open even more opportunities for the convention in the coming year. Next: April 2018
#6 Trade Show & Convention
Presented by Black Claw, the annual body-art gathering aims to “promote and protect tattooing through dedication to innovation and responsibility.” The event brings tattoo artists and enthusiasts together for three days at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport in Burlingame. Next: October 20-22, 2017
