#1 Trade Show & Convention (up from #3)
In July, Comic-Con International completed its annual summer takeover of San Diego. The expo continues to grow, with an estimated 130,000 attendees crowding the San Diego Convention Center and brands hosting countless related events at surrounding venues like hotels, parks, and parking lots. Next: July 24-27, 2014
#2 Trade Show & Convention
With a revamp led by president Lisa Kaz and freshly minted general manager Teri Toennies, the Los Angeles Auto Show will be bigger this year with a third day of media festivities and a lively showcase known as Motor Press Guild Invitational to replace the stale morning keynotes. The century-old show will also have a new layout at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Next: November 22-December 1, 2013
#3 Trade Show & Convention (up from #4)
The Electronic Entertainment Expo, popularly known as E3, wrapped in June, having drawn 48,200 video game industry professionals, investor analysts, journalists, and retailers from 102 countries for the annual gaming-industry-only pilgrimage at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Owned by the Entertainment Software Association, the show is a huge boon to Los Angeles—accounting for about 28,000 hotel room nights and $40 million in revenue generated for the city. Next: June 10-12, 2014
#4 Trade Show & Convention (up from #5)
The D: All Things Digital Conference is about to undergo a total overhaul, the details of which are unannounced. Co-founder Walt Mossberg will end his two-decade run with The Wall Street Journal after failing to come to a deal to continue managing the gathering and its Web site. He and co-founder Kara Swisher, who both led the event and news outlet owned by Dow Jones & Company, have approached other media companies, including The New York Times, about a joint venture to create a similar conference under a new brand, according to Bloomberg. Next: Spring 2014
#5 Trade Show & Convention (up from #6)
The NAMM Show is considered the biggest and most important music products show in the world. It’s more than a century old and draws about 95,000 people from more than 100 countries to the Anaheim Convention Center. The 2013 show marked the opening of the 100,000-square-foot Grand Plaza, the latest outdoor expansion of the convention center’s meeting campus. And a new contract keeps the show in Anaheim through 2018. Next: January 23-26, 2014
#6 Trade Show & Convention (new to the list)
Natural Products Expo West is the top trade show for the natural, organic, and healthy food industry. The 33rd run of the annual event wrapped this year at the Anaheim Convention Center with record attendance and exhibitor numbers: 63,000 industry members and 2,428 exhibiting companies. The show was co-located with Engredea and Nutracon, the ingredient and supply chain show and conference. Next: March 6-9, 2014
#7 Trade Show & Convention
American Film Market attracts more than 8,000 industry leaders from more than 70 countries for eight days of deal-making, screenings, seminars, networking, and parties in Santa Monica; about $800 million in deals is sealed during the program, produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance. Next: November 6-13, 2013
#8 Trade Show & Convention (up from 9)
Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show is now billing itself as the largest travel show in the United States, having set an attendance record this year with 29,000 attendees. There’s an 18,000-gallon scuba pool, an aerial zip line, cultural performers, a culinary stage, and more at the Long Beach Convention Center. Previously, show producer Unicomm co-produced The Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Show, and the shows now compete. Next: February 8-9, 2014
#9 Trade Show & Convention
Held at the Los Angeles Convention Center and in the water at Marina del Rey, the Los Angeles Boat Show is among the longest-running boat shows in the country. Progressive Insurance is currently the title sponsor of the National Marine Manufacturers Association's expo, which is now in its 57th consecutive year. Next: February 6-9, 2014
#10 Trade Show & Convention
The California Gift Show takes over the L.A. Mart and Los Angeles Convention Center in the winter and summer—January and July—and it’s the biggest show of its kind on the West Coast with more than 200,000 square feet and 10,000 product lines. Urban Expositions just acquired the show from Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., and the management transition took place last year. On the product side, the last incarnation of the show was up more than 30 percent over previous years. Next: January 31-February 3, 2014
#11 Trade Show & Convention
The Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Show brings together more than 22,000 speakers, travel professionals, industry leaders, media folks, and consumers at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The show has a slightly earlier date booked for its next run, moving from late February to mid January. Next: January 17-19, 2014
