What is a Trade Show? • Trade Show Blog: Exhibiting Made Simple

A trade show is an event created with the intent to bring together members of a particular industry to share, demonstrate and discuss their latest products and services. Major trade shows usually take place in large convention centers in populated cities and typically last several days. Local business to business trade shows are smaller and might be held at a local arena or hotel to allow area businesses to establish connections with local prospects.

The main purpose of a trade show is to bring members
together of a similar trade or industry.

Some trade shows, which could also be referred to as a fair, trade exhibition, or expo, limit attendees and exhibitors to only those of the industry. For example, the Consumer Electronics Show, tries to limit attendees to professionals in the electronics and technology fields. However, America’s Largest RV Show restricts attendance to industry members for the first few of days but then opens its doors to the public for the remaining time.

What Happens at Trade Shows

Trade shows provide an exhibit space for your company to showcase your products or services. Once at the show, you’ll receive a schedule of the days happening, such as workshops or presentations featuring speakers knowledgeable in your industry. There are opportunities to interact with the media during networking events to promote your business online or on TV. Private or VIP exhibitor events are also held (for an additional fee) and awards presentations on the last day crowning “Best of Show”.

Exhibiting at trade shows provide a different setting to meet potential new customers, reinforce existing relationships with dealers and distributors. It’s essentially the ultimate in networking events.

Attending a trade show allows you to become familiar with the latest and greatest in your industry. It also gives you the opportunity to snag some good deals with special “show pricing” or educate yourself on the newest trends coming up.

Costs to Participate in a Trade Show

The cost to exhibit at or simply attend a trade show vary greatly, typical expenses include.

For Exhibitors

Booth space rental fee
Design and production of a professional trade show display
Shipping costs
Costs to unload booth and move onto show flow, called drayage
Travel and accommodations for booth staff
Marketing materials, handouts, giveaways, samples, promotional items

For Attendees

Attendees still have expenses, but they are a fraction of what it costs to exhibit. Attendee expenses would include an attendance fee to get in the show, along with any travel and accommodations for staff in attendance. This is a fraction of the cost to set up a booth at the show so often times smaller companies choose to simply attend the show and network.

Popular Trade Show Venues

America’s 5 Largest Convention Centers to Host Your Next Event

- McCormick Place, Chicago, IL.
- Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL.
- Sands Expo and Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV.
- Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, KY.
- New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA

Find Trade Shows Now!

TOP 14 Notable Trade Shows happening this month:

Washington Auto Show
www.washingtonautoshow.com
APR 05 – APR 14, 2019
Washington, DC
Attendees: 950,000
Exhibitors: 125

National Association of Broadcasters – NAB Show
www.nabshow.com
APR 06 – APR 11, 2019
Las Vegas, NV
Attendees: 89,313
Exhibitors: 1,581

Craft Brewers & BrewExpo America®
www.craftbrewersconference.com
APR 08 – APR 11, 2019
Denver, CO
Attendees: 13,000
Exhibitors: 800

Fire Department Instructors Conference – FDIC
www.fdic.com/index.html
APR 08 – APR 13, 2019
Indianapolis, IN
Attendees: 28,061
Exhibitors: 821

Aviation Week MRO Americas
mroamericas.aviationweek.com/en/home.html
APR 09 – APR 11, 2019
Atlanta, GA
Attendees: 10,000
Exhibitors: 800

ISC West – Security Solutions
www.iscwest.com
APR 10 – APR12, 2019
Las Vegas, NV
Attendees: 36,771
Exhbitors: 1,009

Specialty Coffee Conference & Exhibition
www.coffeeexpo.org
APR 11 – APR 14, 2019
Boston, MA
Attendees: 8,025
Exhibitors: 425

American College of Physicians – Internal Medicine – ACP
www.annualmeeting.acponline.org
APR 11 – APR 13, 2019
Philadelphia, PA
Attendees: 10,000
Exhibitors: 325

National Science Teachers Association – Annual – NSTA
www.s6.goeshow.com/nsta/national/2019/index.cfm
APR 11 – APR 14, 2019
St. Louis, MO
Attendees: 14,000
Exhbitors: 500

Army Aviation Association of America – AAAA
www.quad-a.org/19Summit
APR 14 – APR 16, 2019
Nashville, TN
Attendees: 8,000
Exhibitors: 300

New York International Auto Show
www.autoshowny.com
APR 19 – APR 28, 2019
New York, NY
Attendees: 1,000,000
Exhibitors: 185

National Catholic Educational Association – NCEA
www.ncea.org/NCEA2019
APR 23 – APR 25, 2019
Chicago, IL
Attendees: 4,965
Exhibitors: 443

International Sign Expo – ISA
www.signexpo.org
APR 24 – APR 26, 2019
Las Vegas, NV
Attendees: 20,140
Exhibitors: 589

National Rifle Association – NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits
www.nraam.org
APR 26 – APR 28, 2019
Indianapolis, IN
Attendees: 87,154
Exhibitors: 838

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