Sustainable Shows Among TSW Fastest 50
Stephanie Corbin -- Tradeshow Week, 8/13/2009 3:11:00 PM
The list of this year’s Tradeshow Week Fastest 50 winners demonstrates a trend taking place in the tradeshow world: the rise of shows catering, in some way, to greening.In the past, the U.S. Green Building Council’s four-time winner, Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, has been the only show dedicated to sustainability or renewable resources to make the list of fastest-growing shows in the United States and Canada.
“We are humbled to be recognized for the fourth year in a row, especially during a time of economic uncertainty,” said Kimberly Lewis, vice president of USGBC. “Greenbuild continues to grow in both size and offerings, demonstrating not only that the green economy is alive, it’s thriving.”
But, joining that show on the winner’s list this year are first-time winners Solar Power International, WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition and Green Manufacturing Expo, which is a part of the collocated Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) West, Pacific Design & Manufacturing Show, WestPack, Electronics West, Automation Technology Expo (ATX) West, Process Technology for Industry (PTX) West & Green Manufacturing Expo shows.
“As sustainability becomes a more prevalent issue in the world, the tradeshow industry and TSW Fastest 50 reflect that,” said TSW Editor-In-Chief Michael Hart. “Shows catering to green segments and especially renewable resources have been growing by leaps and bounds. It’s no wonder they’d show up on this year’s winners list.”
For Solar Power International and WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition, show growth has been steady and directly attributed to the call for the United States to move away from its dependence on foreign oil and the call for clean energy, officials previously have said.
The seventh annual TSW Fastest 50 will be held Nov. 13-15 in Houston, which also hosted the inaugural event in 2003.
The overall fastest-growing show and the fastest-growing in the trade, association and public show categories will be announced at a black-tie gala awards ceremony and dinner Nov. 14 at the Hilton Americas-Houston, host hotel for the TSW Fastest 50 weekend.
To qualify, shows must have demonstrated growth during the three-year period from 2006 through 2008.
Biennial or triennial shows may include statistics from 2005. Results were calculated with a formula that takes into account both actual square footage increases and percentage of growth.
While details about the weekend’s events still are to be worked out, a lot of plans already are in place. The Nov. 13 opening night reception will take place at the Foundation Room of Houston’s House of Blues.
Saturday’s breakfast, executive-level conference, lunch and keynote talk will be at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Registration opened Aug. 10. To register and for more information, go to www.tswfastest50.com.
