Northwest Event Show staged at Seattle Convention Center Arch dedicated a full day to education and another one for a trade show of activations and inspiration.
Northwest Event Show Pinnacle Award Winners
Best Association, Corporate Meeting or Brand Experience – Puget Sound Business Journal
Best Community Event Winner – GFS Events
Best Event Design & Experience Winner – PRA
Best Event Supplier Winner – Cort Party Rental
Community Connector Award Winner – NSA Northwest
Event – NSA Northwest Connects Speakers and Event Planners
Planner of the Year Jenn Pettersen, Premier Events Corporation
Best in Show – People’s Choice Sugar + Spoon Cookie Dough
For more than 30 years, event organizers from the Pacific Northwest have gathered in Seattle to glean new ideas, meet peers and do business. This week, the three-day program staged at Seattle Convention Center Arch dedicated a full day to education. Sessions explored everything from AI as Human Capacity Expander led by Anca Trifan, CEO at Tree-Fan Events Productions, and a Blueprint for Resilience & Purpose by John Elston, founder of WildHeart Team to tips for getting more respect and money for producing IRL events by Smart Meetings Vice President JT Long. When the lessons got too heavy, 24 Carrot Parties was on-hand with a bunny petting activation.
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The last day showcased 200 vendors at a demo and sample-filled trade show followed by the Northwest Event Show Pinnacle Awards (see winners below). 2026 Smart Meetings Ally and Northwest Event Show CEO Stuart Butler called the event a moment to “flex” the might of the Pacific Northwest and the major corporate event producers located there, including Microsoft and Boeing.
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Attendees were treated to a tour of the newly revitalized Seattle Waterfront with Friends of Waterfront Park. After 20 years of planning and development, the Alaskan Way Viaduct has been removed and replaced with a 20-acre urban park that includes Seattle Aquarium and its new event-friendly Ocean Pavillion. The walking reception featured stops at Seattle Marriott Waterfront, The Edgewater and rooftop views at Bell Harbor and Seattle’s Tall Ship.
The city, which is preparing to host six FIFA World Cup matches at Lumen Field, is full of new venues. Seven-month old Populus Seattle brings an organic, carbon-positive vibe with 120 guest rooms, a stunning rooftop overlooking Pioneer Square and an adjoining RailSpur event and office space on two floors that offers comfortable views inside and out. Salt Harvest restaurant offers private dining room flexibility with locally-inspired tastes along with a grounding history as the city’s first trade depot.
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1 Hotel Seattle in South Lake Union is preparing to celebrate a year delivering sustainable luxury with 153 gust rooms and elevated wellness options, including Prime IV Hydration Therapy clinic and HigherDose in-room amenities such as sauna blankets and red-light face masks.
Northwest Event Show Pinnacle Award Winners
- Best Association, Corporate Meeting or Brand Experience –
- Winner – Puget Sound Business Journal
- Event – PSBJ’s Washington’s Best Workplaces
- Best Community Event
- Winner – GFS Events
- Event – Seattle Animal Shelter 2025 Furry 5K
- Best Event Design & Experience
- Winner – PRA
- Event – Board of Governors Incentive Program transformed Napa Valley
- Best Event Supplier
- Winner – Cort Party Rental
- Event – 60th Birthday Party
- Community Connector Award
- Winner – NSA Northwest
- Event – NSA Northwest Connects Speakers and Event Planners
- Planner of the Year
- Jenn Pettersen, Premier Events Corporation
- Best in Show – People’s Choice
