1. Canadian National Exhibition
New to the list
Toronto
What started in 1879 as the Toronto Industrial Exhibition has since burgeoned into one of the largest fairs in North America. This year’s 18-day event—the first to take place in three years—attracted more than 1 million attendees to Exhibition Place, the largest convention and exhibition center in Canada. The fair kicked off on Aug. 19 with the announcement of financial assistance from both the Government of Canada ($7.1 million) and Province of Ontario ($1.6 million), which allowed organizers to expand programming to include new immersive art exhibitions, innovative updates to the Gaming Garage powered by AMD (pictured), a nightly drone show, and a multimedia show called NEVAEH & the Northstar, both presented by VinFast. Next: Aug. 18-Sept. 4, 2023
Toronto
What started in 1879 as the Toronto Industrial Exhibition has since burgeoned into one of the largest fairs in North America. This year’s 18-day event—the first to take place in three years—attracted more than 1 million attendees to Exhibition Place, the largest convention and exhibition center in Canada. The fair kicked off on Aug. 19 with the announcement of financial assistance from both the Government of Canada ($7.1 million) and Province of Ontario ($1.6 million), which allowed organizers to expand programming to include new immersive art exhibitions, innovative updates to the Gaming Garage powered by AMD (pictured), a nightly drone show, and a multimedia show called NEVAEH & the Northstar, both presented by VinFast. Next: Aug. 18-Sept. 4, 2023
Photo: Courtesy of Canadian National Exhibition
2. MAGIC Las Vegas
Las Vegas
Produced annually by leading fashion industry connector Informa Markets, MAGIC Las Vegas (formerly WWDMagic) brings thousands of buyers—from small brick-and-mortar shops to big-time retailers—to talk shop on new trends, buy product, discover new brands, and learn from industry experts during educational workshops and panels. The bi-annual wholesale event also highlights minority-owned, women-owned, and LGBTQIA+-owned fashion brands. This year, nearly 18,000 attendees and over 700 brands gathered at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where notable fashion celebrity speakers included Katy Perry (pictured), Kristin Cavallari, Lala Kent, and Ashley Stock, among others. Next: Feb. 13-15, 2023
Produced annually by leading fashion industry connector Informa Markets, MAGIC Las Vegas (formerly WWDMagic) brings thousands of buyers—from small brick-and-mortar shops to big-time retailers—to talk shop on new trends, buy product, discover new brands, and learn from industry experts during educational workshops and panels. The bi-annual wholesale event also highlights minority-owned, women-owned, and LGBTQIA+-owned fashion brands. This year, nearly 18,000 attendees and over 700 brands gathered at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where notable fashion celebrity speakers included Katy Perry (pictured), Kristin Cavallari, Lala Kent, and Ashley Stock, among others. Next: Feb. 13-15, 2023
Photo: Haley Howard
3. High Point Market
High Point, N.C.
Bringing an average economic impact of $6.73 billion annually to its host city, High Point Market continues to be the largest interior design, furniture, and home furnishings show in the world. Twice a year, more than 2,000 exhibitors take over 180 buildings (totaling 12 million square feet of floor space) to present a bevy of new products to local and international buyers. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions earlier in the year, the fall show saw a bigger attendance than the spring iteration, with international buyer presence up by 45% and representing more than 100 countries. Next: April 22-26 and Oct. 14-18, 2023
Bringing an average economic impact of $6.73 billion annually to its host city, High Point Market continues to be the largest interior design, furniture, and home furnishings show in the world. Twice a year, more than 2,000 exhibitors take over 180 buildings (totaling 12 million square feet of floor space) to present a bevy of new products to local and international buyers. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions earlier in the year, the fall show saw a bigger attendance than the spring iteration, with international buyer presence up by 45% and representing more than 100 countries. Next: April 22-26 and Oct. 14-18, 2023
Photo: Courtesy of High Point Market
4. Atlanta Market
Atlanta
Twice a year, AmericasMart Atlanta fills with tens of thousands of buyers ready to shop from 2,000-plus permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits from more than 8,000 gift and home decor brands like Amazon, Anthropologie, Arhaus Furniture, Ballard Designs, and QVC, to name a few. The January show (Winter Market, pictured) outpaced last year’s event by nearly 70% and featured 200-plus new and expanded exhibitors, while the July iteration (Summer Market) saw the launch of nine new categories and product showcases in addition to the usual roster of in-person events, seminars, association meetings, fundraisers, and celebrations. Attendees represented all 50 states, three U.S. territories, and 48 countries. Next: Jan. 10-16 and July 11-17, 2023
Twice a year, AmericasMart Atlanta fills with tens of thousands of buyers ready to shop from 2,000-plus permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits from more than 8,000 gift and home decor brands like Amazon, Anthropologie, Arhaus Furniture, Ballard Designs, and QVC, to name a few. The January show (Winter Market, pictured) outpaced last year’s event by nearly 70% and featured 200-plus new and expanded exhibitors, while the July iteration (Summer Market) saw the launch of nine new categories and product showcases in addition to the usual roster of in-person events, seminars, association meetings, fundraisers, and celebrations. Attendees represented all 50 states, three U.S. territories, and 48 countries. Next: Jan. 10-16 and July 11-17, 2023
Photo: Courtesy of Atlanta Market
5. SEMA Show
Las Vegas
Gathering domestic and international buyers for its annual convention that presents the next big things in automotive specialty products, this year’s SEMA Show, organized by Specialty Equipment Market Association, was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center and drew nearly 130,000 guests. More than 500 exhibitor booths took over the convention center, as did 70-plus skill-enhancing education sessions, presentations, and demonstrations led by industry experts. Exhibitors at the four-day event included Toyota, Stellantis, eBay Motors, OPTIMA Batteries, and more. Next: Oct. 31-Nov. 3, 2023
Gathering domestic and international buyers for its annual convention that presents the next big things in automotive specialty products, this year’s SEMA Show, organized by Specialty Equipment Market Association, was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center and drew nearly 130,000 guests. More than 500 exhibitor booths took over the convention center, as did 70-plus skill-enhancing education sessions, presentations, and demonstrations led by industry experts. Exhibitors at the four-day event included Toyota, Stellantis, eBay Motors, OPTIMA Batteries, and more. Next: Oct. 31-Nov. 3, 2023
Photo: Courtesy of SEMA
6. Design & Construction Week
Las Vegas
Two events in one (combining the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show), Design & Construction Week is the largest annual gathering of residential construction and design industry professionals in the United States. This year’s event occupied 750,000 square feet at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where 1,200 exhibitors and more than 87,000 attendees filled the venue’s halls to network and engage in educational discussions about new, innovative products on the market. Next: Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2023
Two events in one (combining the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show), Design & Construction Week is the largest annual gathering of residential construction and design industry professionals in the United States. This year’s event occupied 750,000 square feet at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where 1,200 exhibitors and more than 87,000 attendees filled the venue’s halls to network and engage in educational discussions about new, innovative products on the market. Next: Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2023
Photo: Courtesy of DCW
