21 IMC trade shows presented ‘fastest growing’ award

Twenty-one buying events produced by International Market Centers (IMC) in 2022 have been named to Trade Show Executive’s list of fastest-growing trade shows in the U.S., with Atlanta Apparel, Atlanta Market, Las Vegas Apparel, Las Vegas Market, LightFair and Shoppe Object among the magazine’s “Fastest 50” Class of 2022 and “Next 50” honorees. “IMC is pleased to have so many of our events acknowledged as being among the nation’s fastest growing in 2022,” said Bob Maricich, CEO of IMC. “These prestigious honors reflect the substantial growth of the industries served by IMC’s markets as well as the robust recovery of the trade show industry overall post-COVID.” Trade Show Executive’s Fastest 50 Awards recognize the fastest-growing trade shows held in the U.S., and the “Next 50” recognize events that were not fast enough to crack the Top 50 in 2022 but are strong contenders for 2023. Both awards, which are based on metrics including net square feet of exhibit space and number of exhibitors, offer show organizers an opportunity to highlight achievements. Of the 21 awards captured by IMC, the company’s gift and home markets were represented with Atlanta Market and Las Vegas Market each receiving four and Shoppe Object receiving two. In the apparel category, Atlanta Apparel received seven, and Las Vegas Apparel received two. LightFair, a trade show and conference for architectural and commercial lighting, also received two.

Fastest 50 Awards

Five buying events produced by IMC in 2022 were recognized among the nation’s “Fastest 50” shows by net square feet of exhibit space: the winter edition of Atlanta Market; the summer edition of Las Vegas Apparel; the summer and winter editions of Las Vegas Market; and the annual edition of LightFair. Additionally, six IMC trade shows were recognized among the nation’s fastest-growing in 2022 by number of exhibiting companies: the summer and winter editions of Atlanta Market; the summer edition of Las Vegas Apparel; the summer and winter editions of Las Vegas Market; and the annual edition of LightFair.

The “Next 50”

IMC’s six buying events named as the “Next 50” in growth by net square feet of exhibit space are the February, April, June and August editions of Atlanta Apparel; the summer edition of Atlanta Market; and the summer edition of Shoppe Object. Four IMC buying events also received “Next 50” honors for growth by exhibiting companies in 2022: the February, April and August editions of Atlanta Apparel; and the summer edition of Shoppe Object.