Detroit
#1 Trade Show
With its strong media interest and massive consumer appeal, the show continues to be the go-to venue for the auto industry. This year the show boasted 49 worldwide vehicle introductions and another six North American introductions—providing the contingent of 5,025 journalists much to write about and the ticketed attendance of 808,775 plenty to see. The show’s Charity Preview, a gala benefit at the Cobo Center, raised $5.3 million for children’s charities and brought its cumulative fund-raising total to more than $100 million. Next: January 11-24, 2016
Las Vegas
#2 Trade Show
The retail industry event, held in February and August, draws buyers in 11 sectors of the fashion industry including womenswear, footwear, and accessories. More than 60,000 people attend each three-day event. Next: February 2016
Chicago
#3 Trade Show
The show continues to be the must-attend event in the foodservice and hospitality industries, drawing some 65,000 people. To increase interest in the co-located spirits-industry trade show, this year it changed the name to “Beverage Alcohol for Restaurants,” which shortens to the acronym B.A.R. Also new in 2015 was a “Startup Alley” showcasing restaurant technology and a 3-D Printing Zone that created candies and other treats. Next: May 21-24, 2016
High Point, North Carolina
#4 Trade Show
The furniture and home decor worlds convene to identify the next big trends as some 75,000 people view showrooms, participate in educational sessions, and network with peers. The largest furnishings industry trade show, it takes place twice a year and covers 11.5 million square feet of show space. Next: October 17-22, 2015
Atlanta
#5 Trade Show
The wholesale marketplace for gifts, holiday decor, rugs, and more has been drawing buyers to AmericasMart for more than 50 years. The show, held twice a year, draws some 88,000 people to see more than 1,500 permanent showrooms and more than 2,800 temporary exhibiting companies as well as attend panels, an award ceremony, and other events. Next: January 12-19, 2016
Columbus, Ohio
#6 Trade Show
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s fitness event and trade show draws 175,000 people to watch athletes compete in more than 50 events. The event has expanded globally, with locations in Europe, Brazil, and, new in 2015, Australia. Next: March 4-6, 2016
Las Vegas/Orlando
#7 Trade Show (new to the list)
The combined attendance for the five co-located shows that made up Design & Construction Week in Las Vegas was about 125,000, with the International Builders’ Show and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show the largest draws. Combined, the shows covered more than 1.2 million net square feet of exhibits. Next: January 19-22, 2016, Las Vegas
Las Vegas
#8 Trade Show
About 145,000 people attend the automotive specialty products trade show, which takes over the Las Vegas Convention Center. In 2014, the show debuted SEMA Ignited, a consumer car show that included events such as the Battle of the Builders, which was filmed for a TV special that aired on the Velocity Network. Next: November 4-6, 2015
Houston
#9 Trade Show
The show, which focuses on offshore oil and gas resources, boosted its attendance to 94,700, the sixth-largest crowd in its history. It also increased the number of exhibiting companies to 2,682. A new event, the Rice Alliance Startup Roundup, brought together 50 start-up companies with potential investors. Next: May 2-5, 2016
