The Future of Trade Shows: Virtual & In-Person

Participating in trade shows and conferences are the ideal way to strengthen your brand and take your business to the next level.

Up until now, trade shows have been an integral part for all industries; the important building blocks of the industry among them. Sales and marketing managers alike say a trade show is an effective method to generate quality leads and gain in-person trust, but now may have to consider whether their event budgets will decrease temporarily for the coming year.

With the health and safety of exhibitors and attendees in mind, many in the industry had to pivot and make hard decisions. In mid 2020, the first wave of cancelled shows came in and in the blink of an eye it became clear the hits would keep coming. More reports were released indicating COVID-19’s severe impact on trade shows, meetings, hospitality, travel and the overall economy in the U.S.

Now we are entering 2021. While things are slightly better, we still have a long way to go. With new safety measures being put into place across the country, this allows for some shows to make the decision to open back up and for the world to begin doing business face-to-face once again.

Start searching for trade shows online now using our Trade Show Calendar!

Here is a list of top trade shows happening in the US in 2021 that have rescheduled, gone all digital or are proceeding as planned in-person.

Process Expo – FPSA

When: October 12-15, 2021
Where: McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
About The Trade ShowProduced by FPSA, Process Expo is an annual trade show where exhibitors representing every market of the food industry from the United States as well as around the globe meet face-to-face with suppliers showcasing the newest developments in processing technology. Exhibitors are able to demonstrate high-tech food processing equipment in baking, beverage, dairy, fruit and vegetable, poultry & meat industries. Being one of the largest trade shows in Chicago, there will be a wide variety of seminars and networking opportunities available throughout the show.

Consumer Electronics Show – CES

When: January 11-14, 2021
Where: ALL DIGITAL
About The Trade ShowCES is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies and for 50 years has been the launchpad for new innovation and technology that has changed the world. At CES, more than 3900 exhibitors participate from different parts of the world and the average number of attendees is no less than 1,55,550 that makes it one of the largest tech trade shows not only in the USA but across the globe.

AWEA Windpower

When: June 7 – 10, 2021
Where: Indiana Convention Center · Indianapolis
About The Trade ShowHosted by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), Windpower 2021 is the best place to explore what is currently happening across the wind industry. The show will be welcoming speakers with ground-breaking ideas that continue to reinforce wind energy’s value proposition and challenge the present way we do business. This conference is a game-changer for thousands of qualified buyers from the wind energy industry. Also, this show can be a great platform for exhibitors to learn from industry experts, network with the major players in the wind industry, keep up with the hottest and creative products & services, as well as strengthen your brand. All in all, at Windpower 2021 you will not only experience possibilities but reality.

ASD Road Show

When: March, April
Where: Dallas, Orlando, Phoenix
About The Trade ShowIntroducing the ASD Road Show – a series of three, 2-day trade events located across the U.S., showcasing 200+ vendors, that encourages order-writing and connection and, as always, the highest margin products for buyers. Through a safe and efficient shopping experience, the ASD Road Show was designed to minimize travel risks and reduce travel costs, while helping you refresh your product mix and get back to business. Whether you are local or want to make a road trip out of it, you’ll find fresh, new merchandise at the ASD Road Show in 2021.

E3 Expo

When: June 15-17, 2021
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA
About The Trade ShowThe Electronic Entertainment Expo that is commonly known as E3 Expo is one of the pre-eminent shows in Los Angeles, for computer and video games-related products. E3 is a video game-related trade show event where the entertainment industry showcases future events and products inside the Los Angeles Convention Center. The event lasts three days and is filled with new technology and products that can be played or tested while also connecting patrons with industry executives, gamers, and social influencers giving exposure to those in attendance. The event also showcases e-sports events and activities upon occasion, and many of the press conferences and games on display are livestreamed on platforms such as Twitch and YouTube. Companies such as Sony, Intel, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sega, and others are regularly in attendance.

National Hardware Show – NHS

When: May 11-13, 2021
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
About The Trade ShowWhen it comes to looking for new buying opportunities, merchandising solutions & ideas, cost-effective deals, and face-to-face networking opportunities relating to hardware industries then the National Hardware Show is a trade show you must visit. This conference will be welcoming approx. 2700 exhibitors from different parts of the globe and more than 20000 attendees. Also, it offers seminars and training sessions via NRHA stage sessions. Whether you are a first-time exhibitor or a frequent one, the NHS is a golden opportunity for companies to network with their peers, boost their client base.

Offshore Technology Conference – OTC

When: August 16-19, 2021
Where: NRG Park, Houston, Texas
About The Trade ShowThe Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) is the world’s leading conference for the development of offshore resources in the fields of drilling, exploration, production, & environmental protection. OTC is a 50-year-old technological trade show that allows the exhibitor to connect with C-suite leaders and more than 100 speakers globally and strives every time to showcase something new. To cover this global event, there will be more than 300 journalists from every corner of the world.

InfoComm

When: June 12-18, 2021
Where: Orange County Convention Center
About The Trade ShowWith more than 1000 exhibitors and over 44,000 trade show visitors from all across the world, InfoComm 2021 is one of the top and most exciting trade shows in North America focused on the professional audiovisual industry. This conference will consist of audio demo rooms, where you can hear equipment from the leading brands in audio. If you are an international exhibitor and want to make a mark in the AV industry, then InfoComm 2021 is the best show you can exhibit in.

JCK Las Vegas

When: June 4-7, 2021
Where: Sands Expo & Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
About The Trade ShowIf you are looking to participate in one of the leading annual trade shows in the jewelry industry then JCK Las Vegas is the ideal show you must visit. This conference will be converging no less than 30,000 influential industry professionals from different parts of the world. When it comes to participation, there will over 2,300 global exhibitors and over 23,000 individual retailers. Whether you are a first-time exhibitor or an experienced one, the JCK Las Vegas is a grand platform for every exhibitor looking to make a make in the jewelry industry.

Natural Products Expo West

When: March 24-27, 2021
Where: Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
About The Trade ShowNatural Products Expo West is one of the biggest trade shows in Anaheim where top players from the healthy, natural & organic products industry will converge at the Anaheim Convention Center, USA. This global conference has already climbed the ladders of success because of its professionalism and excellence. More than 2800 global exhibitors and over 57,000 attendees from every corner of the globe are going to be present at the National Products Expo West 2021.

Medical Design & Manufacturing – MD&M

When: August 10-12, 2021
Where: Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
About The Trade ShowMedical Design & Manufacturing that is commonly alluded to as MD&M West is a great opportunity for exhibitors to get ahead in the global medical manufacturing community. Ideal for MedTech professionals, this trade show will be gathering more than 2000 exhibitors from various parts of the globe. In addition, this event will witness the presence of expert panelists discussing the pros and cons of a particular research underway. Whether you are a rookie or a seasoned veteran, MD&M 2021 is the eminent conference you must visit.

Bio International Convention

When: June 14-18, 2021
Where: ALL DIGITAL
About The Trade ShowHosted by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Bio 2021 brings together more than thousands of biotechnology companies, state biotechnology centers, academic institutions, and related organizations. Featuring more than 500 education sessions and over 16000 attendees from 67 countries, Bio International Convention 2021 is a show you should not miss. As an exhibitor, you will not only gain visibility in front of influential decision-makers but also meet with high-level executives through BIO One-on-One Partnering. In addition, you will also form valuable partnerships with leading biotech companies.

Pack Expo Las Vegas

When: September 27 – 29, 2021
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
About The Trade ShowIf you are looking for advancements in processing and packaging or opportunities to boost your business, then Pack Expo is the ideal trade show you must visit. Pack Expo 2021 will be welcoming a broad spectrum of life science and application areas namely drug discovery, biomanufacturing, genomics, biofuels, nanotechnology, and more. This global summit will be featuring more than 1800+ international exhibitors and over 16,000 attendees from 76 countries.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The importance of trade shows still exist to serve as the starting point of the client/vendor relationship. All under one roof, you can connect directly with current and new customers, business partners, and maybe even colleagues from different branches of your company. A great lead at a trade show has the ability to flourish into a long lasting connection if you follow up and turn it into a productive relationship.

The one thing we do know is trade shows and trade show displays are OUR business. In-person trade shows still and will matter more for the future. We absolutely cannot wait to get back on the trade show floor and look forward to PARTNERING WITH YOU when you’re ready to have the best trade show booth ever!