Agenda

Monday

September 21, 2026

10:00 am
 - 1:00 pm
Terranea Resort

The 2026 Women to Watch winners will join together for a day of glam and a professional photoshoot by Oscar & Associates on Monday, September 21 onsite at the luxurious property of the Terranea Resort.

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Women to Watch Program by July 20th! Women to Watch – Trade Show Executive’s Gold 100 Awards & Summit 

2026’s TSE Women to Watch are announced on August 3rd, 2026, and awarded at our Gold 100 Awards Gala on September 23rd at the Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes, CA and featured in the November Issue of Trade Show Executive magazine. The deadline to submit is July 20, 2026. For any questions, please reach out to Gold100@tradeshowexecutive.com

Thank you to our Sponsor, Connections Housing.

SPONSORS
6:00 pm
 - 8:30 pm
Ocean Lawn at Terranea Resort

Don’t miss this unforgettable evening by the sea!

For guests arriving early, you’re invited to an exclusive Chairman’s Dinner hosted by Rick Simon and the Trade Show Executive team. Set against the stunning backdrop of Terranea’s Ocean Lawn, you’ll take in breathtaking sunset views while enjoying a relaxed evening.

Reconnect with friends, meet industry peers, and savor exceptional food, drinks, and conversation in a truly spectacular setting.

Please note: Separate confirmation is required, and space is limited—be sure to secure your spot soon!

Tuesday

September 22, 2026

8:00 am
 - 2:00 pm
The Links at Terranea

Tee off with your peers at the stunning Links at Terranea.

Designed by Todd Eckenrode of Origins Golf Design, this dramatic 9-hole, par-3 oceanfront course showcases sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island. Masterfully routed and seamlessly integrated into its natural surroundings, The Links offers a championship-caliber setting ideal for both group play and friendly competition.

This PGA-led golf experience includes breakfast, lunch, awards, and an open bar cart—ensuring a day that’s as enjoyable as it is memorable.

Golf Tournament

Enjoy an exciting 18-hole Shamble, shotgun-style tournament as you compete alongside your peers. Test your skills in our tournament which includes: hole-in-one challenge, putting contest, longest drive, closest to the pin and best team score.

Winners will take home awards—and, of course, serious bragging rights!

Please note: Separate confirmation is required to attend. Space is limited, so be sure to secure your spot early.

8:00 am
 - 9:30 am
Cove Terrance at Terranea Resort

Enjoy a refreshing breakfast buffet.

10:00 am
 - 2:30 pm
Terranea Resort

Attendees will enjoy a restorative wellness experience at Terranea Resort beginning with a guided, beginner-friendly Tai Chi session overlooking the ocean, focused on mindfulness, movement, and breathwork.

The experience continues with a scenic coastal nature walk along Terranea’s bluff-side trails, featuring guided meditation pauses and moments for quiet reflection. Guests will then participate in a ceremonial tea experience, complete with curated herbal blends and intentional opportunities to unwind and connect.

The afternoon concludes with a lunch served at the resort.

Please note: Space is limited, and separate confirmation is required. Reserve your spot early!

 

SPONSORS
5:00 pm
 - 6:15 pm
Point Terrace at Terranea Resort
Join us at the Terranea Resort for a special tasting event hosted by Map Your Show, where attendees can mingle before the Welcome Reception and later in the evening. 
SPONSORS
6:30 pm
 - 9:30 pm
Palos Verdes Meadows at Terranea Resort

The Gold 100 Awards & Summit will officially kick off at the Palos Verdes Meadows at Terranea Resort. Our Welcome Reception offers breathtaking sunset coastal views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island, making it the perfect location for an unforgettable evening. Join us for the sunset with cocktails, company, and award-winning food as we celebrate the start of one of the industry’s most prestigious events.

Sponsored by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

SPONSORS

Wednesday

September 23, 2026

9:00 am
 - 3:00 pm
Marineland Ballroom at Terranea Resort

Get ready for an educational day program featuring the latest news, trends, and innovations in the exhibition industry. The Educational Summit, a popular event at TSE, will cover growth strategies and include case studies from successful show organizers. Join us for peer-led discussions and gain insights into achieving successful results.

9:00 am
 - 9:10 am
9:10 am
 - 9:45 am

Peter Rupert, Ph.D., returns to the Gold 100 stage to give industry leaders an outlook on the economic landscape for the final months of 2026 and into 2027. Rupert, a professor of economics at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), and the Associate Director of the Laboratory of Aggregate Economics at UCSB, will share what he sees on the horizon for various sectors and what signals leaders should watch to make business decisions of their own.

Speakers

Peter Rupert, Ph.D.
Professor of Economics, University of California, Santa Barbara

9:45 am
 - 10:25 am

Operating in international markets requires a playbook of its own, from understanding market conditions to cultural norms, to be successful. To learn more about what’s required to make the jump into new markets, and build and scale events around the world, leaders from various businesses explore what they’ve learned as they launch and operate across international borders.

Speakers

Jason Peskin
Senior Vice President of Revenue, Forge

Mike Seaman
Group CEO, Raccoon Media Group

Darrin Stern
President and Managing Director, Koelnmesse, Inc.

Moderators

Vinnie Polito
CEO, Society for Independent Show Organizers (SISO)

10:25 am
 - 10:50 am
10:50 am
 - 11:30 am

One of the hottest trends in 2026 has been the growth of meetings programs at large-scale events. These intimate, often one-to-one meetings provide high value for exhibitors and sponsors who participate to meet quality buyers, and they provide a strong revenue stream for organizers who are inviting key audiences to the table. Hear from industry pros who have helped build and scale successful meetings programs about what makes them top priority for organizers and their customers alike.  

Speakers

Karen Chupka
Executive Vice President, Global Connections and Events, National Association of Broadcasters

Katie Dominesey
Founder & Principal, Neon Sandcastle

Nancy Mastroianni
Head of Investors and Networks, HLTH Inc.

Moderators

Kate Youngstrom
Head of Marketing, RX US

11:30 am
 - 11:50 am

In a live Power Lunch interview, TSE’s September cover star, Ken McAvoy, talks about the industry’s evolution toward relationship-driven partnerships, delivering value for all event stakeholders, operational best practices that have led to success throughout his career, and what has him more excited for the future of the industry than ever before.

Speakers

Ken McAvoy
President, South Florida Ventures and Executive Vice President, Informa Markets

Moderators

Anthony Bartolomeo
Senior Vice President, Client Relationships, Freeman

Jeff Quade
President, GES Exhibitions

11:50 am
 - 1:10 pm
1:10 pm
 - 1:35 pm

“If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” is an infamous phrase in the U.S. capital, where industry sectors lobby for policies that benefit their businesses. In effort to keep the trade show and live events industry off the plate, the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance (ECA), led by President and CEO Tommy Goodwin, has been consistent in its efforts to advocate for business-friendly policies but they need our help. In this session, Goodwin provides an update on where things stand in the political arena for events businesses and shares ways that organizers can aid the efforts.  

Speakers

Tommy Goodwin
President and CEO, Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance

1:35 pm
 - 2:15 pm

Join exhibitor-training pro Robyn Davis, CPTD, CEM, of Exhibitors WINH, as she talks with leading show organizers about how they’re providing exhibitors with the information, training and expertise needed to supercharge their ROI. Learn how organizers are navigating working with newer exhibit managers, providing continuing education for exhibitors, and ensuring booth staff are engaging and targeting the right attendees before the show even opens 

Speakers

Sacha Carey
Vice President, Exhibits, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)

BJ Enright
CEO, Tradeshow Logic, a Messe Muenchen Company

Daniel McKinnon, CEM
Chief Exhibitions Officer, MHI

Moderators

Robyn Davis, CPTD, CEM
Trade Show Trainer/Consultant

2:15 pm
 - 2:35 pm

In this knowledge sharing and idea exchange session, two TSE Trailblazers sit down for a candid conversation about their own career journeys, the challenges and opportunities they see for the industry around workforce development and trends they think organizers should be leaning into.  

Speakers

Jordan Tuchband
Senior Vice President, RX

Vanessa Dang
Audience Development Manager, CommerceNext

2:35 pm
 - 3:05 pm

At the end of 2025, TSE, Lippman Connects and EVOLIO Marketing began conducting periodic joint surveys around attendee acquisition and exhibitor/sponsorship sales in the trade show industry. Over the last 10 months, the data has been compiled, and it tells a compelling story about what tactics are yielding strong results around sales and marketing, where opportunities and challenges lie, and how organizers are leveraging AI. Join Joe Federbush of EVOLIO Marketing, as he dives into the findings. 

Speakers

Joe Federbush
CEO & Chief Strategist, EVOLIO Marketing

3:05 pm
 - 3:10 pm

Join us for a wrap-up of the day’s education and get important details about the Awards Gala to follow.

5:45 pm
 - 7:15 pm
Catalina Terrace and Lawn at Terranea Resort

The Gala Reception, held in the Catalina Terrace, promises an opportunity to walk the red carpet in a glamorous style. Photo ops abound as honorees take their plaques and mingle with industry colleagues from the nation’s largest shows before the Gold 100 Awards Gala begins.

Dress code: Cocktail, Black Tie Optional

7:30 pm
 - 10:30 pm
Marineland Ballroom at Terranea Resort

The winners of the coveted Gold 100 Grand Awards will be revealed and take to the main stage in Ballroom to collect their glorious crystal trophy in front of their peers. Enjoy fine dining while we reward the hard work and achievements of your teams.

Dress code: Cocktail, Black Tie Optional

10:30 pm
Catalina Room at Terranea Resort

Don’t stop the fun, with the Afterglow for some more music, drinks and good company!

Thank you to our Sponsor of this event, LVE!

SPONSORS

Thursday

September 24, 2026

7:00 am
 - 10:30 am
Catalina Terrace & Lawn at Terranea Resort

Before you go, don’t forget the most important meal of the day! Come together for one last breakfast before your departure or take it to go.