Today we’re highlighting the top influential events and live marketing experiences in the United States. These events feature the largest brands in the world and the most innovative event production ideas to date. From huge events that happen every year like the Super Bowl to the launch of Apple’s worldwide products to newer up-and-coming events like the New York Fashion’s Week: Mens, we’re featuring a list of the best events of 2015 thus far.
These events are curated from a list via BizBash’s list of the top 100 events in the world. From this top 100 list, we’ve narrowed the list down to our top events of the year per category! Check it out!
Sporting Events
1. Super Bowl XLIX
There isn’t a single larger or more prominent event in the United States than the Super Bowl. Super Bowl XLIX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots drew record-breaking crowds and a widely buzzed about halftime performance from Katy Perry. Remember the now meme-famous left shark?!
2. Daytona 500
While I personally don’t understand the appeal to fast cars, the Daytona 500 is a bonafide sport with hundreds of thousands of race-day followers. This years event drew record crowds to watch the 500-mile race in Daytona, Beach Florida.
3. Kentucky Derby
The fashion-forward Kentucky Derby had a huge year in 2015 as American Pharaoh became the first horse to win the coveted Triple Crown in the last 37 years. The program estimated a total revenue stream of $194.3 million dollars.
Trade Shows
1. Magic
One of the largest event trade shows in the world, Magic is held twice a year in Las Vegas. The event features the most prominent brands in the fashion world; from powerhouse names like Levi’s to up-and-coming branding services like BrandedOnline specifically targeting the fashion world, Magic is the place to be every February and August. In 2015, nearly 60,000 industry professionals attended the three-day event.
2. North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is a grown-up’s version of Christmas morning. This show draws huge media coverage and huge crowds. Show organizers estimate a crowd of nearly 800,000 people attended Detroit’s largest trade show last year. The event brings nearly $100 million dollars in revenue to the area each year.
3. National Restaurant Association
This show is held every year in Chicago and centers around all things food and restaurants. It’s a foodies dream. The show draws around 65,000 industry attendees every year. In 2015, a new section called “Startup Alley” showcased the newest technology in the restaurant and food industry.
Music Festivals
1. South by Southwest
The South by Southwest music festival is officially the biggest music event of the year. The event draws nearly 65,000 people to Austin, Texas each year to view debuts in music, film, and technology. Huge companies like Pandora, Spotify, and Comedy Central produce marketing campaigns directly for SXSW fans.
2. Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Often called the ‘Woodstock’ over our generation, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival features the most prominent artists in the world in some of the most buzzed-about performances of the year. The 2015 event was sold out completely. Pop-up campaigns featured H&M, Chevrolet, McDonald’s and more!
3. Lollapalooza
Sir Paul McCartney headlined this years music festival featuring other world-famous bands like Metallica, Florence and the Machine, and Sam Smith. The event is held yearly in Chicago and draws over 300,000 people yearly, and generates $50 million dollars in media value. That’s a lotta money!!
Fashion Industry Events
1. New York Fashion Week
New York Fashion Week is the reigning queen of the fashion world. The huge event recently relocated from Lincoln Center to Skylight at Moynihan Station and Skylight Clarkson Square help accommodate the over 100,000 industry insiders. The event draws top designers, models, and influencers from around the globe each year.
2. Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala
Did you see Kim K’s dress?! While this notorious photo may have taken the spotlight at the 2015 Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala, the event itself is one of the most celebrated galas in the world. The event draws a-list celebrities, politicians, and socialites. 2015’s theme “China: Through the Looking Glass” drew hundreds of preselected guests to attend the highly selective gala.
3. Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards
An award show that highlights fashion designers is bound to evoke the best designs in the world. This year’s event highlighted Womenswear Designers of Year Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen and Men’s wear designer Tom Ford, among the list of winners. Betsey Johnson was awarded the coveted lifetime achievement award.
Want to see more of 2015’s top events? Check out BizBash’s full list of events here.
Need help planning your branded merchandise for your next event? Send us an email, we’d love to help! happy@brandaiding.com.
As with all lists, these are subjective. To choose and rank the annual events, we look at several factors, including economic impact, buzz, innovation, and an event’s prominence within the communities it intends to serve. We also vetted selections with industry insiders.