San Diego
#1 Entertainment Industry Event
Featuring an agenda so jam-packed with content that some sessions are a mere five or 10 minutes long, and an exhibit floor at the San Diego Convention Center that grows every year, this year featured activations for Star Trek, Middle-Earth Shadow of War, a Stranger Things trailer, and much more, as well as standalone artwork around exhibit booths. The “granddaddy of them all,” as some have called the monster event, was sponsored by a host of television networks and streaming services, and has an economic impact of approximately $150 million, according to a San Diego University study. Next: July 19-22, 2018
Park City, Utah
#2 Entertainment Industry Event
Produced by Robert Redford’s Sundance Institute, the festival for independent films presented 16 dramas and another 16 documentaries, as well as a variety of other films, and 35 awards, including five presented by YouTube. The festival brings about 46,000 attendees to venues all around town. Next: January 18-28, 2018
Las Vegas
#3 Entertainment Industry Event (up from #4)
Bringing more than 103,000 attendees and covering about 1 million square feet of exhibit space at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the five-day showcase looks at the future for media, entertainment, and technology. This year Maria Elena Salinas, co-anchor of Noticiero Univision, was inducted into the organization’s hall of fame; America Ferrera received the Television Chairman’s Award; and TMZ creator Harvey Levin discussed syndicated entertainment news. Next: April 7-12, 2018
New York
#4 Entertainment Industry Event
Though somewhat scaled back due to an impending writers strike this past spring, networks still dazzled advertising buyers at their presentations with performances, parties, and discussions. Late-night hosts Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers brought political humor for events by CBS and NBC, respectively, while musical performances were provided by Enrique Iglesias at the Telemundo upfront; Jennifer Hudson at NBC, promoting her new role as a judge on The Voice; Shakira at the Univision upfront; and Muse at the CW’s event. Drake, who was meant to sing for 15 to 20 minutes at Adult Swim’s party, instead performed for more than an hour. Next: May 2018
Los Angeles
#5 Entertainment Industry Event (up from #6)
Twice a year, journalists who cover the small screen come to the Beverly Hilton to hear from network executives and casts from a variety of shows, from ABC’s upcoming The Mayor starring Lea Michele, to NBC’s This is Us and reboot of Will & Grace. Fox threw a party at Soho House, while Hallmark Channel served up a bash at a private estate in Beverly Hills. The association also hands out the T.C.A. Awards at its July edition. Next: January 2018
Washington
#6 Entertainment Industry Event
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the program will make history this year on several fronts. Unlike his predecessors, President Trump will not participate in the festivities after honorees offended by his views threatened to skip the awards. Recipients include LL Cool J, marking the first time a hip-hop artist has been among those honored; the singer Gloria Estefan; musician and producer Lionel Richie; television producer Norman Lear; and choreographer and dancer Carmen de Lavallade. Held in the 220-seat Kennedy Center Opera House and broadcast later in December by CBS, the awards always are sold out. Next: December 3, 2017
Las Vegas
#7 Entertainment Industry Event
Considered the country’s most significant get-together for the global film industry, the National Association of Theater Owners-hosted conference was held at Caesars Palace. The group honored Goldie Hawn with an icon award, and former Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences president Cheryl Boone Isaacs received the Pioneer of the Year award at the 76th annual Will Rogers Motion Picture Foundation Dinner for bringing diversity to the Oscars ceremony. Overall, the conference was attended by 5,000 members of the industry. Next: April 23-26, 2018
Austin
#8 Entertainment Industry Event (new to the list)
The dovetailing of two trends—the rise of new television platforms and the rise of pop-culture festivals—has boosted the event, which was founded in 2012 and now draws about 2,500 attendees. It’s become known for screenings of current hits as well its celebration of television history. This year, it hosted reunions of the series Designing Women and Northern Exposure, as well as a reunion of the writers of Alias; MTV held a talk on the “History of MTV Reality Series.” Also new was a panel of network presidents. Next: June 7-10, 2018
