1. Magic Las Vegas
Las Vegas
Formerly known as WWDMagic, this fashion industry trade show underwent a bit of a makeover by rebranding as Magic Las Vegas. Each year, tens of thousands of buyers from small shops up to powerhouses like Dillard’s and Urban Outfitters make their way to this show in Las Vegas to see what’s new and next in fashion and retail, attend events, learn from industry experts and fill their racks for the upcoming season with clothing, shoes and accessories. In February 2020, the show moved to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, and in 2021, the in-person show returned in August. Over three days, the event drew an international and domestic retail audience, with over 20% of the exhibiting brands being minority-owned companies led by women, Black, Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Veteran and members of LGBTQIA community. In addition to live sessions and educational opportunities, attendees were able to take part in mini psychic sessions, modern astrology readings and custom embroidery workshops. Next: Feb. 14–16, 2022 and Aug. 8-10, 2022
Formerly known as WWDMagic, this fashion industry trade show underwent a bit of a makeover by rebranding as Magic Las Vegas. Each year, tens of thousands of buyers from small shops up to powerhouses like Dillard’s and Urban Outfitters make their way to this show in Las Vegas to see what’s new and next in fashion and retail, attend events, learn from industry experts and fill their racks for the upcoming season with clothing, shoes and accessories. In February 2020, the show moved to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, and in 2021, the in-person show returned in August. Over three days, the event drew an international and domestic retail audience, with over 20% of the exhibiting brands being minority-owned companies led by women, Black, Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Veteran and members of LGBTQIA community. In addition to live sessions and educational opportunities, attendees were able to take part in mini psychic sessions, modern astrology readings and custom embroidery workshops. Next: Feb. 14–16, 2022 and Aug. 8-10, 2022
Photo: Courtesy of Hailley LLC
2. Canadian International AutoShow
Toronto
At this 10-day annual expo, automakers showcase new and concept vehicles alongside exotic car displays and interactive exhibits at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and with more than 650,000 square feet of exhibitions and 360,000 attendees on average, it’s considered the country’s largest consumer show. In February 2020, about a thousand vehicles were on display, including the world’s most exclusive Bugatti. The show also allowed attendees to choose from 24 electric vehicles (a 33% increase over 2019) and test drive on the Toronto streets. In 2021, the show was canceled because of the pandemic, but is set to return next year. Next: Feb. 18-27, 2022
At this 10-day annual expo, automakers showcase new and concept vehicles alongside exotic car displays and interactive exhibits at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and with more than 650,000 square feet of exhibitions and 360,000 attendees on average, it’s considered the country’s largest consumer show. In February 2020, about a thousand vehicles were on display, including the world’s most exclusive Bugatti. The show also allowed attendees to choose from 24 electric vehicles (a 33% increase over 2019) and test drive on the Toronto streets. In 2021, the show was canceled because of the pandemic, but is set to return next year. Next: Feb. 18-27, 2022
Photo: Courtesy of Canadian International AutoShow
3. TED Conference
Vancouver
In 2020, organizers of the flagship annual conference for the nonprofit devoted to “ideas worth sharing” reimagined the event as a virtual conference, building its own cloud-based meeting space that reflected the same ethos employed in its physical gatherings at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Breakout rooms facilitated intimate, small-group conversations, and attendees could partake in specialized workshops over video. The interface also allowed for exhibits, one-on-one business meetings and other networking opportunities. This year, TED returned to its birthplace—Monterey, Calif.—for its first in-person event since the start of the pandemic. For TEDMonterey, held in August, organizers reimagined the event stage, including the iconic red carpet circle in collaboration with creative director David Korins. Instead of the solid circle, speakers stood inside a red neon ring or halo. Next: April 10-14, 2022
In 2020, organizers of the flagship annual conference for the nonprofit devoted to “ideas worth sharing” reimagined the event as a virtual conference, building its own cloud-based meeting space that reflected the same ethos employed in its physical gatherings at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Breakout rooms facilitated intimate, small-group conversations, and attendees could partake in specialized workshops over video. The interface also allowed for exhibits, one-on-one business meetings and other networking opportunities. This year, TED returned to its birthplace—Monterey, Calif.—for its first in-person event since the start of the pandemic. For TEDMonterey, held in August, organizers reimagined the event stage, including the iconic red carpet circle in collaboration with creative director David Korins. Instead of the solid circle, speakers stood inside a red neon ring or halo. Next: April 10-14, 2022
Photo: Courtesy of TED Conference
4. High Point Market
High Point, N.C.
Twice a year, upwards of 75,000 players in interior design, furniture and home furnishings descend on the High Point Market in North Carolina, where tens of thousands of products are introduced to the industry. The show takes place in 180 buildings totaling 12 million square feet of floor space. The biannual trade show—traditionally held in April and October—opted to cancel its spring 2020 show, followed by two scaled-back events with virtual showrooms held in the fall of last year and this June. This October, the show returned to its regular time slot and format for the first time in two years. But this time around, vendors faced a new challenge: supply chain issues. Next: April 2-6, 2022 and Oct.22-26, 2022
Twice a year, upwards of 75,000 players in interior design, furniture and home furnishings descend on the High Point Market in North Carolina, where tens of thousands of products are introduced to the industry. The show takes place in 180 buildings totaling 12 million square feet of floor space. The biannual trade show—traditionally held in April and October—opted to cancel its spring 2020 show, followed by two scaled-back events with virtual showrooms held in the fall of last year and this June. This October, the show returned to its regular time slot and format for the first time in two years. But this time around, vendors faced a new challenge: supply chain issues. Next: April 2-6, 2022 and Oct.22-26, 2022
Photo: Courtesy of High Point Market
5. SEMA Show
Las Vegas
The Specialty Equipment Market Association’s annual convention attracts domestic and international buyers looking to check out the newest innovations in the automotive specialty products. The event was canceled in August 2020 because of the pandemic, but it returned to the Las Vegas Convention Center this month, hosting about 100,000 industry professionals. The event included educational seminars, demonstrations, networking opportunities and other programming, as well as SEMA Ignited, a post-show after-party where attendees were able to view hundreds of customized rides. Next: Nov. 1-4, 2022
The Specialty Equipment Market Association’s annual convention attracts domestic and international buyers looking to check out the newest innovations in the automotive specialty products. The event was canceled in August 2020 because of the pandemic, but it returned to the Las Vegas Convention Center this month, hosting about 100,000 industry professionals. The event included educational seminars, demonstrations, networking opportunities and other programming, as well as SEMA Ignited, a post-show after-party where attendees were able to view hundreds of customized rides. Next: Nov. 1-4, 2022
Photo: Courtesy of Specialty Equipment Market Association
6. Atlanta Market
More than 8,000 gift and home decor brands are represented at this semiannual market, which also includes seminars, product demos, networking events, parties and other events at AmericasMart Atlanta. Just in time for its in-person winter edition in January 2020, International Market Centers rolled out a rebrand of the event, changing the name of the show from Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market to the Atlanta Market. Later that year, organizers announced that the August show would be staged as showroom-only buying opportunities with no trade show component due to the pandemic. In 2021, the summer and fall editions of the market featured socially distanced temporary booth configurations across the three-building AmericasMart campus, along with expanded virtual tools. Next: Jan. 11-18, 2022
Photo: Courtesy of Atlanta Market
7. Design & Construction Week
Orlando
This massive event combines the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, forming the largest annual gathering of residential construction and design industry professionals in the country. The 2020 edition was held at Las Vegas Convention Center in January and boasted more than 90,000 attendees. Brands like Huber Engineered Woods, Moen and Schluter Systems cleverly brought their products to life on the trade show floor, including allowing guests to compete in a NASCAR simulator. And Elkay’s “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” activation came complete with a full-size water feature and a pool with a slide. After hosting virtual programming this year, Design & Construction Week will return to Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center next year. Next: Feb. 8 -10, 2022
This massive event combines the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, forming the largest annual gathering of residential construction and design industry professionals in the country. The 2020 edition was held at Las Vegas Convention Center in January and boasted more than 90,000 attendees. Brands like Huber Engineered Woods, Moen and Schluter Systems cleverly brought their products to life on the trade show floor, including allowing guests to compete in a NASCAR simulator. And Elkay’s “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” activation came complete with a full-size water feature and a pool with a slide. After hosting virtual programming this year, Design & Construction Week will return to Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center next year. Next: Feb. 8 -10, 2022
Photo: Oscar Einzig Photography
8. Toronto International Boat Show
Toronto
In January 2021, Canada’s largest boating event went virtual for the first time in its 60-plus-year history. The show included products, seminars and workshops, as well as new digital features such as virtual boat tours, interactive showrooms and community chat forums. The event attracted 35,641 registrations, including returning show patrons, new boaters and first-time show attendees. Next: Jan. 21-30, 2022
In January 2021, Canada’s largest boating event went virtual for the first time in its 60-plus-year history. The show included products, seminars and workshops, as well as new digital features such as virtual boat tours, interactive showrooms and community chat forums. The event attracted 35,641 registrations, including returning show patrons, new boaters and first-time show attendees. Next: Jan. 21-30, 2022
Photo: Courtesy of Toronto International Boat Show
