1. Comic-Con International
San Diego
#1 Entertainment Industry Event
The world’s most high-profile pop culture convention still drew more than 130,000 people to San Diego this year, but big-name studios and franchises, including Marvel Studios, HBO, and Star Wars, all skipped the 49th annual event. Activations from brands including Hulu, NBC, Syfy, and Taco Bell, as well as panels from Sony, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros. filled in the gap. The convention also won a lawsuit over its trademark in December, meaning no other convention can use the term “comic-con” in its title. Next: July 2019
#1 Entertainment Industry Event
The world’s most high-profile pop culture convention still drew more than 130,000 people to San Diego this year, but big-name studios and franchises, including Marvel Studios, HBO, and Star Wars, all skipped the 49th annual event. Activations from brands including Hulu, NBC, Syfy, and Taco Bell, as well as panels from Sony, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros. filled in the gap. The convention also won a lawsuit over its trademark in December, meaning no other convention can use the term “comic-con” in its title. Next: July 2019
Photo: Jorge Vargas/Grandesign
2. Sundance Film Festival
Park City, Utah
#2 Entertainment Industry Event
The 34th edition of the film festival was directly affected by the #MeToo movement, offering a slate of films and programming focused on women’s issues. Events included a speech by Gloria Allred, panels with actors and creators focused on the roles of women in Hollywood, and screenings of films such as The Miseducation of Cameron Post, a film about a queer woman sent to a gay conversion camp, which won the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic. The festival drew 124,900 attendees and brought in $191 million in economic impact to Utah. Next: January 24-February 3, 2019
#2 Entertainment Industry Event
The 34th edition of the film festival was directly affected by the #MeToo movement, offering a slate of films and programming focused on women’s issues. Events included a speech by Gloria Allred, panels with actors and creators focused on the roles of women in Hollywood, and screenings of films such as The Miseducation of Cameron Post, a film about a queer woman sent to a gay conversion camp, which won the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic. The festival drew 124,900 attendees and brought in $191 million in economic impact to Utah. Next: January 24-February 3, 2019
Photo: Jonathan Hickerson
3. National Association of Broadcasters Show
Las Vegas
#3 Entertainment Industry Event
The annual media, technology, and entertainment trade show drew more than 93,000 attendees from 165 countries to the Las Vegas Convention Center. This year’s event featured five new conference programs focused on innovations in advertising, the business of sports entertainment, podcasting, streaming, and esports. The event also had a new N.A.B. Achievement in Broadcasting Dinner and We Are Broadcasters Program, recognizing excellence in the broadcasting and media industry. The show floor hosted 1,700 companies, 244 of which were new exhibitors. Next: April 6-11, 2019
#3 Entertainment Industry Event
The annual media, technology, and entertainment trade show drew more than 93,000 attendees from 165 countries to the Las Vegas Convention Center. This year’s event featured five new conference programs focused on innovations in advertising, the business of sports entertainment, podcasting, streaming, and esports. The event also had a new N.A.B. Achievement in Broadcasting Dinner and We Are Broadcasters Program, recognizing excellence in the broadcasting and media industry. The show floor hosted 1,700 companies, 244 of which were new exhibitors. Next: April 6-11, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of National Association of Broadcasters
4. Upfront Week
New York
#4 Entertainment Industry Event
At this year’s Upfront/NewFront season, TV networks and digital media brands delivered a mix of events, from traditional theater presentations to multi-day experiential events. Companies such as Oath and Meredith made splashy NewFront debuts, mainstays like Twitter offered their standard presentations, and Univision ditched its two-hour presentation in Midtown for a visual, experiential event downtown. Notable companies Hearst and Popsugar opted out this year. Next: Spring 2019
#4 Entertainment Industry Event
At this year’s Upfront/NewFront season, TV networks and digital media brands delivered a mix of events, from traditional theater presentations to multi-day experiential events. Companies such as Oath and Meredith made splashy NewFront debuts, mainstays like Twitter offered their standard presentations, and Univision ditched its two-hour presentation in Midtown for a visual, experiential event downtown. Notable companies Hearst and Popsugar opted out this year. Next: Spring 2019
Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for MEREDITH
5. Kennedy Center Honors
Washington
#5 Entertainment Industry Event (up from #6)
The 40th annual ceremony in 2017 honored Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan, Carmen de Lavallade, Norman Lear, and LL Cool J—marking the first time the event has honored a hip-hop artist. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were noticeably not in attendance at the city's signature cultural event, which featured speeches by Caroline Kennedy and Dave Chapelle, and performances by Stevie Wonder, Luke Bryan, and Leona Lewis. The upcoming ceremony will honor Cher, Reba McEntire, and Hamilton. Next: December 2, 2018
#5 Entertainment Industry Event (up from #6)
The 40th annual ceremony in 2017 honored Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan, Carmen de Lavallade, Norman Lear, and LL Cool J—marking the first time the event has honored a hip-hop artist. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were noticeably not in attendance at the city's signature cultural event, which featured speeches by Caroline Kennedy and Dave Chapelle, and performances by Stevie Wonder, Luke Bryan, and Leona Lewis. The upcoming ceremony will honor Cher, Reba McEntire, and Hamilton. Next: December 2, 2018
Photo: Scott Suchman/The Kennedy Center
6. Television Critics Association Press Tour
Los Angeles
#6 Entertainment Industry Event
The semiannual press tour featured presentations from Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and National Geographic, along with a first-time presentation from Facebook, which now offers original content on Facebook Watch. The summer press tour ended with the 34th annual T.C.A. Awards; for the third consecutive year, FX was the ceremony’s top winner, taking home four awards. The association also presented Rita Moreno with the career achievement award. Next: January 2019
#6 Entertainment Industry Event
The semiannual press tour featured presentations from Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and National Geographic, along with a first-time presentation from Facebook, which now offers original content on Facebook Watch. The summer press tour ended with the 34th annual T.C.A. Awards; for the third consecutive year, FX was the ceremony’s top winner, taking home four awards. The association also presented Rita Moreno with the career achievement award. Next: January 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Television Critics Association
7. ATX Television Festival
Austin
#7 Entertainment Industry Event (up from #8)
The television festival continues to grow in both its programming and size, with 3,000 people attending the eighth edition this year. Highlights of this year’s event included the premiere of HBO’s Sharp Objects, a Felicity reunion, and a first look at the Sons of Anarchy spinoff Mayans MC, which included a stunt that involved the cast and creators leading the Republic of Texas Motorcycle Rally down Congress Avenue. Next: June 6-9, 2019
#7 Entertainment Industry Event (up from #8)
The television festival continues to grow in both its programming and size, with 3,000 people attending the eighth edition this year. Highlights of this year’s event included the premiere of HBO’s Sharp Objects, a Felicity reunion, and a first look at the Sons of Anarchy spinoff Mayans MC, which included a stunt that involved the cast and creators leading the Republic of Texas Motorcycle Rally down Congress Avenue. Next: June 6-9, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of ATX Television Festival
8. CinemaCon
Las Vegas
#8 Entertainment Industry Event
The official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners drew 6,000 attendees to Caesars Palace, and featured presentations from Disney, Warner Bros., Sony, Focus Features, and Paramount. Actors including Tiffany Haddish, Samuel L. Jackson, Kate McKinnon, and Felicity Jones received honors, while the event’s Pioneer dinner honored Tom Cruise. Next: April 1-4, 2019
#8 Entertainment Industry Event
The official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners drew 6,000 attendees to Caesars Palace, and featured presentations from Disney, Warner Bros., Sony, Focus Features, and Paramount. Actors including Tiffany Haddish, Samuel L. Jackson, Kate McKinnon, and Felicity Jones received honors, while the event’s Pioneer dinner honored Tom Cruise. Next: April 1-4, 2019
Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for CinemaCon
