We have introduced several additional navigational buttons to enhance your ability to effortlessly locate your upcoming trade show event. Previously, our categories were limited to trade shows taking place in Chicago, Las Vegas, and on a global scale. We have now expanded these categories to include Orlando, as well as two specific industries: Dental and Healthcare. The Tradeshow Calendar serves as a comprehensive global search engine for B2B trade exhibitions, offering direct links to thousands of official exposition websites. You can conduct searches by industry, date, city, and/or country to discover face-to-face marketing events that facilitate the buying and selling of products and services across any market worldwide. This tool is designed to streamline your search process, ensuring you can efficiently connect with the right events that align with your business objectives and industry focus.
What is a Trade Show?
A trade show is an event held to bring together members of a particular industry to display, demonstrate, and discuss their latest products and services. Major trade shows usually take place in convention centers in larger cities and last several days. Local trade shows may be held at a local arena or hotel and allow businesses in the area to connect with prospects.
Since the purpose is to bring together members of the trade – or industry – most trade shows, which may also be referred to as trade fairs or expositions, only permit industry members to attend. Book Expo America, held annually, is one show that only allows publishing industry pros in, while the Consume Electronics Show, another major event, tries to limit attendees to professionals in the electronics and technology fields. Conversely, SXSW (South by Southwest), held in Austin, TX, each year welcomes the public, as does America’s Largest RV Show, which restricts attendance to industry members for the first couple of days and then opens to the public for several more.
What Happens at Trade Shows
Trade shows often provide:
- Exhibit space
- Workshops or presentations
- Opportunities to interact with the media
- Evening networking events
- Private exhibitor events
- Awards presentations
Exhibitors participate in trade shows with the primary goal of connecting with potential new customers, which can lead to increased sales and business growth. They also aim to reinforce and strengthen existing relationships with dealers and distributors, ensuring continued collaboration and support in the distribution of their products. Additionally, exhibitors seek to network with key influencers and members of the media, which can enhance their brand visibility and reputation. By engaging with these stakeholders, exhibitors can gain valuable insights, receive feedback on their offerings, and potentially secure media coverage that amplifies their reach and impact within the industry.
Attendees come to trade shows for a multitude of reasons, primarily to gain firsthand exposure to the latest products and innovations being introduced by industry leaders. This direct interaction allows them to see, touch, and experience new offerings in a way that is not possible through digital channels. Additionally, trade shows often feature exclusive "show prices" or special discounts provided by exhibitors, offering attendees the opportunity to purchase products at reduced rates, which can be a significant draw for those looking to make cost-effective investments. Beyond these tangible benefits, attendees also seek to deepen their understanding of their industry by attending educational sessions, workshops, and presentations that provide insights into emerging trends, best practices, and future directions. This comprehensive learning experience helps attendees stay informed and competitive in their respective fields, making trade shows an invaluable resource for professional development and industry networking.
What it Costs to Participate
While the cost to exhibit at or attend a trade show varies greatly, typical expenses can run into the thousands of dollars and include:
Exhibitors
- Booth space rental
- Design and production of a professional display space
- Shipping of booth and equipment
- Costs to unload booth and move onto show flow, called drayage
- Travel and accommodations for staff manning the booth
- Marketing materials specific to the event
- Samples or promotional items handed out
Attendees
Attendees, on the other hand, still have expenses, but they are a fraction of what it costs to exhibit.
- Attendance fee
- Travel and accommodations for staff in attendance
For that reason, smaller companies often opt to simply attend a show and network with the captive exhibitors, rather than setting up their own booth.
Popular Trade Show Venues
Some of the largest convention centers in the U.S. include these top 10 locations:
- McCormick Place - Chicago, IL
- Orange County Convention Center - Orlando, FL
- Las Vegas Convention Center – Las Vegas, NV
- Georgia World Congress Center – Atlanta, GA
- Sands Expo and Convention Center – Las Vegas, NV
- Kentucky Exposition Center – Louisville, KY
- New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center – New Orleans, LA
- Reliant Park – Houston, TX
- International Exposition Center – Cleveland, OH
- Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center – Dallas, TX
A business should consider trade show participation successful if they return from a show with a comprehensive list of potential prospects, confirmed orders, valuable media mentions, or meaningful connections. These outcomes indicate that the company has effectively engaged with key industry players, captured the interest of potential clients, and enhanced its visibility within the market. Additionally, securing media mentions can amplify the company's reach, while building connections can lead to future collaborations and partnerships. Such achievements not only reflect the immediate benefits of attending the trade show but also contribute to long-term business growth and brand recognition.
