The Powerhouse List: Discover the Events Dominating the U.S. Exhibition Industry in TSNN's Exclusive Top 250 Trade Shows ListThe Powerhouse List: Discover the Events Dominating the U.S. Exhibition Industry in TSNN's Exclusive Top 250 Trade Shows List
TSNN presents groundbreaking new research that provides the ultimate resource for attendees and exhibitors to find the largest and most influential trade shows in the U.S.
October 23, 2025
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What are the most popular trade shows in the U.S.? What events are dominating the hottest industry sectors? Which shows are growing year over year? What cities and venues are hosting the top trade shows?
These are just a few of the questions we set out to answer. The result: The TSNN Top 250 Trade Show list provides a comprehensive and meticulously researched resource that highlights the largest and most significant U.S. trade shows.
This list is the only one of its kind, offering an exclusive look at the top 250 trade shows based on net square footage, attendance, and number of exhibitors.
Here are some key highlights from our report. Download a free copy of the TSNN Top 250 Trade Show List below.
The World Ag Expo was the largest show by net square feet in 2024. Held at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, CA, this show covered 2.6 million square feet and attracted over 100,000 attendees. Photo: World Ag Expo
Top Trade Shows by Net Square Footage in 2024
World Ag Expo: Held at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, CA, this show covered 2.6 million square feet and attracted over 100,000 attendees.
CES: Hosted at the Las Vegas Convention Center, CES spanned 2.5 million square feet and draws 138,789 attendees.
PACK EXPO International: Taking place at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, this event covered 1.3 million square feet and attracted 47,816 attendees.
With 188,409 attendees, the National Farm Machinery Show was the largest in terms of attendance in 2024. Photo: NFMS
Top Trade Shows by Attendance in 2024
National Farm Machinery Show: With 188,409 attendees, this show was the largest in terms of attendance.
SEMA Show: Attracting 143,725 attendees, this show is a major event for the specialty equipment market.
CES: With 138,789 attendees, CES is a leading event for consumer technology.
Featuring 4,312 exhibitors, CES was the largest in terms of exhibitor participation in 2024. Photo: CES
Top Trade Shows by Number of Exhibitors in 2024
CES: Featuring 4,312 exhibitors, CES was the largest in terms of exhibitor participation.
IMEX America: With 3,537 exhibitors, this show is a key event for the meetings and events industry.
Natural Products Expo West: Hosting 3,371 exhibitors, this show is a major event for the natural and organic products industry.
Top 10 Cities for the Top 250 Trade Shows in 2024
Notable Trends and Insights
The list revealed a strong presence of trade shows in the technology, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors.
Las Vegas and Chicago were prominent locations, hosting multiple top trade shows.
The data highlighted the significant economic impact of these trade shows, with large numbers of exhibitors and attendees contributing to local economies.
Public company Emerald does not disclose attendance, exhibitors or NSF, so they are absent for our list.
Top 10 event producers (by number of top 250 shows produced)
Informa Markets/Informa Connect
World of Concrete
SupplySide West
MAGIC Las Vegas
Natural Products Expo West
MD&M West
Cosmoprof North America Las Vegas
The International Surface Event (TISE)
WasteExpo
Licensing Expo
WVC Vegas
Premiere Orlando
Premiere Anaheim
Premiere Columbus
Premiere San Antonio
JLC LIVE New England
Build Show LIVE
MAGIC Miami
MAGIC Nashville
MAGIC, PROJECT SOURCING at MAGIC Las Vegas
COTERIE and MAGIC New York February 2024
COTERIE and MAGIC New York September 2024
SupplySide East
Organic Produce Summit
MD&M South
MEDevice Boston
MEDevice Silicon Valley
National Restaurant Association Show
Greenbuild International Conference & Expo
2. RX
JCK
ISC West
Bar Convent Brooklyn
JIS Fall 2024
JIS Spring
G2E - Global Gaming Expo
ISC East
Fastener Fair USA
Luxury
Functional Fabric Fair - Spring Edition
3. Clarion Events Inc.
FDIC International
ITC Vegas
Halloween & Party Expo
DISTRIBUTECH International
Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention
POWERGEN International
Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show
The Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show
Smoky Mountain Gift Show
Womenswear in Nevada
4. ANDMORE
Atlanta Apparel
Atlanta Market
Casual Market Atlanta
Las Vegas Market
Shoppe Object
High Point Market
5. Hall-Erickson Inc.
American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference & Exhibition
Alzheimer’s Association International Conference
Design Automation Conference
National Association of REALTORS® NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience
The International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage, and Analysis
6. Diversified
Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America
The International WorkBoat Show
Organic Produce Summit
7. PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies
PACK EXPO International
PACK EXPO East
8. Questex
LDI
Bar & Restaurant Expo
9. SmithBucklin
KeHE Holiday Show
KeHE Summer Show
10. Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)
SEMA Show
PRI Show
Comprehensive Data and Analysis
The TSNN Top 250 Trade Shows list is based on extensive research and data collection from hundreds of show organizers. If you think your event should be included on this list, contact TSNN’s Danica Tormohlen.
The list includes detailed information on each trade show, including dates, locations, net square footage, number of exhibitors, and attendance figures.
Our research provides insights into the trends and dynamics shaping the trade show industry.
Comparing Year Over Year
Overall, the comparison between the 2024 and 2023 lists shows a robust and growing trade show market, with significant expansions in size, attendance, and exhibitor participation. The technology and sustainability sectors were particularly strong, and key locations like Las Vegas and Chicago continue to play a central role in hosting major trade shows.
The comparison between the TSNN Top 250 Trade Shows list for 2024 and 2023 reveals several key insights and trends in the trade show market:
Top Trade Shows by Net Square Footage
World Ag Expo remained a dominant force, maintaining its position as one of the largest trade shows by net square footage in both years. In 2024, it covered 2.6 million square feet, consistent with its 2023 footprint.
CES also continued to be a major player, with 2.5 million square feet in 2024, up from 2.2 million square feet in 2023.
PACK EXPO International showed significant growth, increasing from 978,118 square feet in 2023 to 1.3 million square feet in 2024.
Attendance Trends
National Farm Machinery Show remained the largest in terms of attendance, with 188,409 attendees in 2024.
SEMA Show continued to attract large crowds, with 143,725 attendees in 2024, compared to 141,083 in 2023.
CES reported an increase in attendance, from 117,841 in 2023 to 138,789 in 2024.
Exhibitor Participation
CES led in the number of exhibitors, with 4,312 in 2024, up from 3,200 in 2023.
IMEX America also showed growth, with 3,537 exhibitors in 2024, compared to 3,443 in 2023.
Natural Products Expo West remained strong, with 3,371 exhibitors in 2024, up from 3,058 in 2023.
Looking ahead
TSNN is currently compiling the 2025 list of the top 250 trade shows, and we expect to have the list completed by March 1, 2026. Submit your trade show data for consideration here.
About the Author
Danica Tormohlen, who has reported on the trade show industry since 1994, currently oversees content for TSNN as the VP of Group Content for Meetings|Travel|Sports at Informa Connect. Previously, she served as content director, publisher and editor-in-chief for the Society of Independent Show Organizers, editor at large at Trade Show Executive, and editor-In-chief and publisher of EXPO magazine. She also serves as president of the Women in Exhibitions Network North America. Connect with Danica on LinkedIn or Twitter.
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