2022 TSNN Awards Honor Top Show Organizers and Trade Shows
November 11, 2022
Trade Show News Network (TSNN) celebrated achievement, innovation and leadership in trade shows with the 12th Annual TSNN Awards and education conference, held Nov. 8-9 at host venue Caesars Forum in Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) rolled out the red carpet with a spectacular opening party at Nobu Hotel Villa that represented Las Vegas at its best.
“The 2022 TSNN Awards was an incredible celebration of the best of the best people and shows in our great industry,” said TSNN President Rachel Wimberly. “Caesars Entertainment went above and beyond to create a memorable event. Congratulations to all of the finalists and award winners!”
The robust education conference kicked off with the “State of the Industry” panel discussion, where the overall message was that of recovery and hope.
“We’re still skiing uphill, but we’re optimistic,” said David DuBois, CEO and president, IAEE.
Full recovery is expected by 2024, according to Cathy Breden, CEO of CEIR, with leading indicators such as attendance returning quicker. Vinnie Polito, incoming CEO of SISO, was encouraged by the fact that along with the return of existing shows, smaller members of his organization are launching brand new events. Staffing shortages and slow U.S. visa processing times continue to be obstacles for show growth.
Panel discussions, moderated by Danica Tormohlen and Stephanie Selesnick, highlighted best practices in addressing some of the industry’s pressing issues, including sustainability initiatives, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, and creative ways to get attendees back to in-person events.
Caesars Entertainment, the event’s premiere sponsor, dazzled event participants with a glamorous Awards Gala that proved to be a memorable occasion for everyone who has worked so hard during these incredibly challenging past few years.
This year, TSNN received a record-breaking number of nominations in 12 categories for the Innovation Awards and an incredible number of nominations for the Outstanding Show Pro Awards.
2022 TSNN Comeback Awards, (see finalists here) honored shows that have demonstrated resilience by “coming back” in areas such as attendance, overall business excellence and customer connectivity. The winners were:
- Customer Connectivity: OFFPRICE Show
- Exhibitor Excellence: The 2022 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show)
- Business Excellence: The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI)
- Outstanding Attendance: JCK
- Overall Resilience: MODEX
2022 TSNN Innovation Awards (see finalists here) went to:
- Best Exhibitor Program: Affordable Shopping Destination - ASD Market Week
- Best Use of Technology: Anime NYC
- Created (Maintained) Culture: Channel Partners Conference & Expo
- Giving Back (Charitable): World of Concrete
- Hybrid-Virtual Experience: New York Vet
- Savvy Marketing Campaign: InfoComm
- Team Building: VMX 2022
- Created (Maintained) Community: AQS QuiltWeek
- Best Engagement (Think Fun!): DISTRIBUTECH International 2022
- Most Innovative Design (or Redesign): Live Design International (LDI)
- Best Use of Data: Global Pet Expo
Karen Chupka, Consumer Technology Association, was honored with the Industry Icon Award for producing the association’s Consumer Electronic Show (CES), the world’s most influential tech event and the largest trade show in the U.S, and for her widely recognized contribution to the trade show industry.
“A great thing about what we all do is that it takes a village,” Chupka said when accepting the award. “In our industry, we share so much information and we’re always there for each other, and not many organizations and industries have that. Always reach out and ask somebody because we’ve all been through so many things and we’re all willing to share and help make each of our events a little better.”
The Outstanding Show Pros who were honored include:
- Kim Roehricht and Amy Bartz – AWFS
- Jennifer Muna – International Market Centers
- Emily Hartstone – From the Hart Management
- Diana Rich – Emerald
- Dawn Walton – Questex
- Kelly Helfman – Informa Markets
- Brittany Weltcheff – Association of Equipment Manufacturers
- Diane Vidoni – eMerge Americas
- Joseph Marks – Informa Tech
- Liz Bothwell – Informa
In addition, Tommy Goodwin, Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance, received the Industry Support Award; Specialty Coffee Association was honored with Sustainability Award; and Janice Rogers, Diversified Business Communications, received the DEI Leadership Award.
Rogers encouraged the audience to foster the DEI culture in their organizations. “If it's your first step or your 20th, keep going forward because we’re all going to make change together,” she said.
Thank you to all our sponsors and partners for making the TSNN Awards possible! View here: https://www.t-awards.com/sponsorship/sponsors
Take a spin around social media with #TSNNAwards to see all the fun pictures!
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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