#2 Trade Show & Convention (up from #3)
Urban cowboys still love an old-fashioned horse show. Attendance grew by 6 percent in 2013 and another 3 percent in 2014, attracting more than 300,000 visitors and 5,000 animals. The Food and Lifestyle stage expands in 2015 for competitions, sampling, and more. Next: November 6-15, 2015
#3 Trade Show & Convention
The Direct Energy Centre hosted Canada’s largest home and garden event, attracting 175,000 visitors in 2015. Re/Max was a returning sponsor, and Rogers and SigmaDek were new. Smart-home technology is likely to have a major presence at the co-located expos in 2016. Next: March 11-20, 2016
#4 Trade Show & Convention
Canada’s main auto show featured 30 brands exhibiting throughout 600,000 square feet at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in 2015. Lifestyle and features were heavily promoted in 2015, and high-end dining was introduced. Toronto Star and RBC were sponsors. Next: February 12-21, 2016
#5 Trade Show & Convention
Following last year’s 20th anniversary success, attendance is expected to grow to 127,000 in 2015 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Highlights at the pop culture fan fest will be a Walking Dead panel and a Star Trek Voyager reunion. Next: September 3-5, 2015
#6 Trade Show & Convention (up from #7)
North America’s largest consumer show for healthy living and sustainable lifestyles returns to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for the second year in 2015. The larger, centralized venue boosted attendance in 2014, when new sponsors included Ikea and Samsung. Next: Spring 2016
#7 Trade Show & Convention
The homespun craft and design Christmas show returns to the Direct Energy Centre this holiday season. In 2014, 140,000 shoppers and gift givers patronized 800 sellers from across the country. Next: November 26-December 6, 2015
#8 Trade Show & Convention (up from #10)
Some 500 exhibitors sold out more than one million square feet of space at the Direct Energy Centre in 2015, drawing more than 70,000 attendees. The show’s expanded seminar stage hosted 200 lessons and workshops for sailors, skippers, and crew. Next: January 8-17, 2016
#9 Trade Show & Convention (up from #12)
National Bank returned as the title sponsor of the three-day event for emerging and established designers. More than 300 exhibitors on the show floor catered to 52,000 guests. Notable exhibitors included Ikea, Miele, and Scavolini. Next: January 21-24, 2016
#10 Trade Show & Convention
The fall version of the show attracts more than 200 builders, renovators, designers, and boat manufacturers to the International Centre to help cottagers and would-be cottagers enhance their vacation homes. Sponsors include Raid, Off, and Coleman. Next: October 23-25, 2015
#11 Trade Show & Convention
After two years at the Direct Energy Centre, the show moves to a new venue in 2016: Mississauga’s International Centre, which is close to the airport and highways. New sponsors for 2015 included Husqvarna and Ontario Power Generation. Next: March 16-20, 2016
