BJI’S BRITTON JONES NAMED TRADE SHOW NEWS NETWORK’S INDUSTRY ICON

by Stephen Garner
TSNN Awards - Britton Jones
BJI president and CEO Britton Jones and TSNN editor-in-chief Rachel Wimberly

Britton Jones, president and CEO of Business Journals Inc. (BJI), was honored with the Trade Show News Network (TSNN) Industry Icon Award at the 6th annual TSNN Awards on Saturday, November 7 in Atlanta.

“I am truly honored to be named TSNN’s 2015 Industry Icon Award honoree. I am tremendously blessed to work with incredibility insightful, talented and dedicated people,” said Jones in a statement. “We work in an environment that fosters creativity and real innovation. To me, this award is wonderful recognition of the impact and significance of our collective efforts to move the events industry forward.”

Rachel Wimberly, TSNN president said, “The TSNN Awards Industry Icon Honor typically is given to someone who is an innovator in the industry, and Britton has led the way for a long time. We are thrilled to honor him at this year’s awards in Atlanta.”

BJI produces 27 events per year, including brands such as AccessoriesTheShow, the industry’s largest and longest running accessories show, and the industry’s upscale menswear show, MRKET.

The BJI Fashion Group also has four women’s apparel shows, FAME, EDIT, MODA and STITCH, which provide full coverage of the major women’s categories ranging from the junior/ young contemporary to the luxury and premium contemporary markets. In total, the BJI Fashion Group runs 21 shows annually at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York and six shows per year at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas.

In addition, BJI produces numerous trade magazines, has a custom publishing division, and maintains seven websites along with one of the industry’s largest databases of fashion retailers.

Besides overseeing all aspects of BJI, Jones also serves as CEO of LeftField Media, a company he formed in late 2014 with Greg Topalian (former senior vice president at Reed Exhibitions and founder of New York Comic Con) and Mac Brighton (BJI’s chairman and COO) and Sharon Enright (BJI’s executive vice president). LeftField is dedicated to building experientially rich events and celebrations for fans and enthusiasts primarily in the pop culture space.

Jones currently is the chairman of the board of directors of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, as well as serving on NYC & Co.’s Trade Show Council and the Javits Center’s Customer Advisory Board. Additionally, Jones was also chairman of the board of Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) from 2008-2010 and served on the SISO board from 2001-2010.

Editor’s Note: MR Magazine and Mr-Mag.com are owned by Business Journals Inc.