Agenda

Up for an energizing run along the Atlantic before your day begins? Trade Show Executive’s Danica Tormohlen is leading an optional runner’s group from 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM that will meet in the Harrah’s Resort hotel lobby and go from there. So lace up your shoes and join her for a jog!

Jump into action and earn as many points as possible while experiencing Atlantic City in a custom Boardwalk Amazing Race! Teams will embark on a journey around Atlantic City armed with local maps, backpacks, digital cameras, pocket change, and a Racebook in hand. Your goal is to complete as many timed challenges as possible to earn the top score amongst all competing teams. Watch out for the competition!  Take a spin with a bird’s-eye view of the city from the top of our newest attraction standing at 227 ft above Steel Pier – the Observation Wheel. Can you outsmart our Magician with his tricks? Don’t blink, or you’ll miss it! Drivers, start your engines! Zoom around the local speedway at Central Pier in NASCAR-style go-karts to take you across the finish line first! Visit America’s first Convention Center built in 1929 now known as Boardwalk Hall, previously titled Atlantic City Convention Hall. From legendary performances from The Rolling Stones, to Miss America pageants, football games, ice hockey games, bowling competitions and much more, see why this iconic location became a national landmark. Land on the Orange Loop! Borrowing its name from everyone’s favorite childhood board game, Monopoly, the Orange Loop incorporates some of Atlantic City’s newest, developing businesses. Located right off the world-famous Atlantic City boardwalk, you’ll find restaurants, bars, live music, coffee, yoga, a bean-to-bar chocolate bar and more!  Take part in challenges within the Loop to find out if the bank’s error will be in our favor or if you’ll be sent directly to jail! Event takes place rain or shine.  It is requested guests wear comfortable shoes (sneakers are best), comfortable clothing, and sunscreen

Kick off the Fastest 50 at the Welcome Reception at the high-roller Diamond Lounge at Bally’s Atlantic City overlooking the scenic beachfront. Greet old friends and meet new ones as you join us for cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres. A memorable night and great networking await you!

Featuring Trade Show Executive’s Publisher & Editor, Gabrielle Weiss

The Summit takes off bright and early with former Air Force fighter pilot Anthony “AB” Bourke at the controls. After a sterling career flying high-performance warplanes, Bourke brought his military experiences and skills to the civilian world as a management consultant, speaker and author. His appearance at the Fastest 50 coincides with the upcoming release of his book, “The Art of the Debrief.” great leaders have a system for driving peak performance. This hard-charging, high-impact keynote offers your leaders the straightforward, critical tools that U.S. fighter pilots employ to lead their wingmen into the demanding environment of aerial combat. Learn how the best fighter squadrons and the best businesses in the world hire future leaders, how they then properly train those individuals, and continually promote a process of continuous improvement to stay one step ahead of the competition.

As VP at ReedPOP, Larry Settembrini created an internal agency from the ground up, helping brands such as AMC, Chevrolet, DirecTV, DC Entertainment, Intel, Marvel Entertainment, Samsung, Sprint, and others create highly successful authentic and engaging activations at Reed events. Larry will talk about understanding partner needs, then identify ways to meet those needs by leveraging events to create an unforgettable experience for attendees. He will share success stories and lessons learned from his wealth of experience.  

Nothing crunches numbers like artificial intelligence, but leadership in the world of big business requires more than big data. Executive Coach and former Senior Vice President of Organizational Development with UBM Angela Scalpello brings the idea of Emotional Intelligence to the Fastest 50 stage. Emotional Intelligence is an intangible skill of successful executives and is key to building effective teams and reaching both strategic and personal objectives.

The Fastest 50 agenda is the annual Power Lunch, an in-person interview with an industry luminary and which marks the midway point of the event’s invaluable educational sessions. This year’s guest of honor, Bill Reed, comes from one of the top medical conferences in the world. Reed, Chief Event Strategy Officer for the American Society of Hematology (ASH), leads a venerable conference and expo at a time when the medical profession has become highly diverse and is enthusiastically embracing digital technology in both clinical settings and at its meetings. Reed is a Past Chairman of the Professional Convention Management Association and developed a background in event technology as Senior Vice President of Experient. He will be joined on stage by TSE’s Gabrielle Weiss for a look at how he keeps the blood flowing at the ASH Annual Meeting & Exposition. The lunch, sponsored by Freeman, will also include plenty of time for questions and comments from the audience.

The Fastest 50 is all about growth, and what better place is there to discuss the strategies that can shift an event into high gear? Attendees will learn such strategies from the experiences of three well-known show managers who posted double-digit growth in their metrics. The panel will be moderated by TSE’s Danica Tormohlen and stars Yancy Weinrich, Senior Vice President of Reed Exhibitions; Kathy Compton, Senior Vice President, Brand & Engagement, American Institute of Architects; and Eileen Sahin-Murphy, Manager, Event Partners & Trade Show Services, Minor League Baseball.

Liz Crawford has one of the most distinguished careers in the industry, and recently added another major star to her sterling CV as Senior Vice President of Trade Shows and Events at the RV Industry Association. She presents a case study of her full-scale revamp of the association’s flagship recreational vehicle show and its relaunch to rave reviews as RVX: The RV Experience. Be sure to read the exclusive in our June issue.

It’s time to walk the red carpet and pose for photographs as you accept your Fastest 50 plaque(s).

The moment we have all been waiting for . . . a night of elegance, inspiration and intrigue. The show organizers who had the throttle wide open in 2018 will be the center of attention during the high point of the week, the Grand Awards Gala, where the coveted crystal trophies will be presented to the organizers who notched the highest percentage growth by either the Fastest 50 or the NEXT 50 shows. Accompanied by blue-ribbon cuisine and a first-rate setting, the top show managers of the year will enjoy some well-deserved public recognition for their accomplishments.

After the party, there will be yet another party.  The entire Harrah’s Loft/Balcony overlooking Harrah’s high-energy Pool After Dark has been reserved as a private club for the TSE’s celebs. The space overlooks the electric party below and honorees can fist pump like true New Jerseyites or network and enjoy the quieter open air terrace adjacent to the Loft | Balcony.

The Farewell Breakfast offers another opportunity to network with the Fastest 50 delegates and speakers before you head home or stay for an extended weekend of relaxation.