#1 Trade Show & Convention (up from #2)
In the past several years, under a new leadership team, the 108-year-old automotive show has seen significant growth, especially where it concerns press and trade programming and attendance. Last year the Connected Car Expo moved to the JW Marriott, having outgrown its presence within the Los Angeles Convention Center; it doubled in real estate in the new location. In total, the show drew more than 21,000 members of the press and trade in 2015, compared to 12,000 in 2012. An estimated one million members of the public turned out. Next: November 18-27, 2016
#2 Trade Show & Convention
The buzzy convention attracts major attention around the country—well beyond the boundaries of San Diego, where it long ago outgrew the convention center. The event now draws about 130,000 attendees and takes over additional venues all over the city for captivating stunts, parties, suites, and more. Next: July 21-24, 2016
#3 Trade Show & Convention
More popularly known as E3, the show takes place at the Los Angeles Convention Center each year in June. The Entertainment Software Association-owned event draws more than 52,000 trade-only attendees from all over the world—109 countries last year. The 2015 expo featured 1,600 products from 300 exhibitors with over-the-top booths. Next: June 14-16, 2016
#4 Trade Show & Convention
The National Association of Music Merchants’ enormous show is considered one of the biggest and most important events showing music products in the world; it dates back more than a century. The 2016 show at the Anaheim Convention Center, where it will remain through at least 2018, saw 5,000 brands debuting products through the four-day event. Next: January 19-22, 2017
#5 Trade Show & Convention
Having separated from The Wall Street Journal, D: All Things Digital co-creators Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher retooled their conference—and it immediately sold out. The invitation-only event at the Terranea Resort, where industry influencers come together for conversations about digital technology, is now in its third year. Next: May 31-June 2, 2016
#6 Trade Show & Convention
Produced by New Hope Natural Media at the Anaheim Convention Center and Anaheim Hilton, the giant show for the natural, organic, and healthy food sector has seen significant growth. Last year, it drew 71,000 industry professionals, more than 2,700 exhibiting companies, and 634 first-time exhibitors over 350,000 net square feet of space. Next: March 9-12, 2017
#7 Trade Show & Convention
Those in the business of independent motion picture production and distribution annually meet at the event in Santa Monica. More than 8,000 industry leaders gather for eight days of deal-making, screenings, seminars, networking, and parties. The attendees from more than 80 countries seal more than $1 billion in deals. Next: November 2-9, 2016
#8 Trade Show & Convention
Currently in its 11th year, the show is billed as the largest consumer travel event in the country. This year’s show, situated strategically in Long Beach between Los Angeles and San Diego, drew 3,000 experts and 500-plus exhibitors for the program, which included seminars in a 1,000-seat main theater. Next: February 2017
#9 Trade Show & Convention
At nearly six decades old, the Progressive Insurance-sponsored event is among the longest-running shows in the country. The four-day event takes place at the Los Angeles Convention Center and in the water at Marina del Rey, showcasing hundreds of vessels from family cruisers to million-dollar yachts. There’s also a kids’ zone, educational seminars from industry experts, and on-the-water boating lessons. Next: February 2017
#10 Trade Show & Convention
Formerly known as the California Gift Show, the trade show runs twice a year, once in the winter and once in the summer. Urban Expositions rebranded and reorganized the show under the new name—the first incarnation in the new format took place in January—and the transformation includes a new show floor layout, a new Saturday through Tuesday schedule, and new product categories. The most recent event brought nearly 100 first-time exhibiting companies to the expanded Los Angeles Convention Center South Hall; previously, the show was located in two separate halls on two different floors. Next: July 22-25, 2016
#11 Trade Show & Convention
Roth Capital Partners’ financial conference, held in Orange County, is one of the largest of its kind in the country. The 28th annual event in 2016 brought nearly 550 participating companies and more than 4,000 attendees for presentations from public and private companies in a variety of sectors—as well as flashy parties. Next: March 2017
