Know everything about trade shows, its history and importance

Trade Shows And Its Importance 

We all have heard people going to trade shows and coming back with valuable information about their respective industries. A trade show is known to be the best place for making business and valuable connections, but what are trade shows? A trade show gathers members of a particular industry under one platform to discuss solutions, introduce groundbreaking innovations, display or demonstrate products and services, and discuss the industry’s latest and emerging trends. 

Major trade shows are organized at locations convenient for the show participants from different places as they attract international audiences to the show floor. Cities with convention centers and large spaces usually used to be the central location of trade shows. There is this concept of local trade shows, which are planned to be organized at a local arena or hotel, which allows business owners of that particular area to meet and interact with each other while discussing business and making connections.

Since the purpose of a trade show is to attract the attention of thousands of industry members, it is also known as a trade fair or exposition. Trade shows can permit the public to explore the show and interact with businesses they like, or they can be restricted to only industry members to gather, connect, and discuss solutions to develop business.

What happens at trade shows

People who attend a trade show are often exposed to various opportunities and solutions that help them thrive in their respective industries. At trade shows, there are plenty of things which happen on the show floor as trade shows often provide- 

●    A diversified exhibit space 
●    Platform to engage and interact during productive workshops or presentations
●    Opportunities to interact with the media during the show
●    Various networking events
●    Private events for exhibitors 
●    Awards & recognitions programs 

Exhibitors at any trade show participate with the motive of connecting with like-minded professionals, connecting with industry experts and interacting with their targeted customers. This term is usually known as trade show marketing. Trade shows are the perfect place to exchange ideas, discuss business and get valuable leads for oneself. 

Attendees at tradeshows mark their participation to learn more about the products, services, and brands they like or are interested in. It helps them learn about exclusive deals, offers, and the latest additions to the product line and explore the range of services. 

What is the history of trade shows

Trade shows are a modern concept now, but history has been started way back. In late medieval Europe, champagne fairs or the Skane Market were organized during the era of merchant capitalism. During this time, the crafts producers visited towns for trading fairs, presented their products, and sold them later. Such markets are organized annually and last up to several days. The markets gathered many people as they were organized during cultural festivals that benefit them with the rush and at favorable locations as a pivotal attraction to gather at such markets. From the late eighteenth century, industrial fairs and exhibitions in Europe and North America became widespread, showing the upscaling graph of the Industrial Revolution and technology in several industries.

In the late 19th century, this concept of organizing annual fairs came into the industry, and since then, industry-wise trade shows have come into the spotlight. This concept spread from European markets to North America instantly, and by the 20th century, many companies and industries had come into existence to manage the trade show industry. After this, many convention centers and halls were established as trade show venues. 

Later on, in the 21st century, there was a rapid industrialization of Asia along with trade shows and exhibitions worldwide, which made trade shows a familiar and productive event to be organized in every industry.

What it costs to participate at trade shows

Planning to attend a trade show can be a memorable experience for many of us, but the cost can greatly vary depending on the exhibitor's requirements and desires to meet their trade show marketing goals.

Expenses exhibitors do in a trade show

●    The cost of the booth space
●    The design and production cost of the display space 
●    Shipping of the booth and other design or related equipment
●    Costs of drayage, i.e. unloading the booth and moving it to the show floor.  
●    Accommodations for staff operating the booth
●    Purchasing the marketing materials required for the trade show
●    Samples or promotional items 

Why trade shows are essential for business 

Trade shows are an essential platform for business owners, entrepreneurs, and industry enthusiasts in different industries to thrive. With many attendees and exhibitors, a trade show offers invaluable opportunities to build strong partnerships, gain experiences and expand one’s business to another level. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned exhibitor, participating in trade shows in your industry can significantly enhance your business growth graph. 

There are some limitations with trade shows, as only some of them allow the public to attend, while the majority of trade shows allow only industry representatives and business owners to attend and explore opportunities. There are a few examples of shows that are hybrid, and one of them is the Frankfurt Book Fair. The first three days of the show are only open to the general public. 

Generally, trade shows involve significant investments as they invite plenty of exhibitors and attendees to the show floor to learn about various projects, industry services, and the latest products and equipment which contribute towards shaping the industry's future landscape. With a lot of planning and brainstorming, a trade show includes several venues, resources, and opportunities to offer to the show attendees, as well as a list of opportunities they can grab. Besides planning while executing a trade show, there are plenty of other factors which make up for the expenses, such as exhibit rental, trade show booth design and construction of trade show booths, setting up communication channels, travel, accommodations, promotional items and giveaways for the attendees at the show floor. For a successful trade show experience, you must partner with the best booth-building company to get the most productive outcome and valuable leads.

What Is a Conference?

You have all heard people say trade shows and conferences. You might know both terms, but many need to learn about conferences. A conference is the convergence of industry members and experts to discuss opportunities and explore new offerings in the industry's product and service range. Conferences discuss business solutions, innovations, and business opportunities to deliver solutions to industry professionals. 

Types of trade shows

Every trade show runs according to the industry it caters to. If you're planning to attend a trade show or invest in your business to expand its reach, then it is crucial to understand the different types of trade shows and how they differ. Below, we have listed the industry-wise trade shows. Have a look at each of them-

Healthcare Industry Trade Shows

The healthcare industry is worth more than 12 trillion dollars, and trade shows help a lot by bringing most professionals, researchers, insurance providers, and pharmacists together with platform trade. People looking into the latest and emerging trends in the healthcare industry should definitely attend such shows. 

Manufacturing Industry 

If you’re in an industry that requires product manufacturing and you want to be at the forefront of the industry, then manufacturing industry trade shows are the perfect place for you.

Arts and Crafts Industry Expos

Whether you’re an artist from potter, jewelry or any other craft, you must not settle for anything less. It is for art and craft professionals looking to foster connections with influencers and purchasers. Mark your participation in the art and craft industry trade shows to learn invaluable information and solutions to grow your business and succeed further. 

Technology Industry Shows

Technology and innovation cross-cut a wide variety of topics, from computing to home appliance products. You can find shows for different niches or general shows for the highest-quality industry advancements. 

Amusement Industry Trade Shows

Trade shows, which are aimed at showcasing the latest in the parks and amusements industry, gather sector professionals to their specialized trade shows to offer them the newest application trends in amusement attractions. 

Agriculture Trade Shows

Agriculture trade shows are where industry professionals learn about the latest trends in farming machinery and technology. The agriculture industry is one of the largest in the world, and attending its trade shows will be very advantageous. 

Food and Restaurant Industry Trade Shows

The restaurant and food industry trade shows are among the most significant worldwide. With thousands of related expos held annually, you can explore the best restaurant and food industry trade shows for extraordinary insights. 

Housing and Building Industry

Next on the list is the housing and building industry trade shows, which showcase products or purchasing needs within the building sector. At such trade shows, you'll be able to experience new trends, materials, legal documents, etc., along with connecting with industry designers and architects. 

Fashion, Beauty and Apparel 

Fashion, beauty, and apparel trade shows invite industry professionals to the show floor to get industrial insights into the latest products, services, equipment, and technological advancements.

About Author

Olivia, Creative Content Developer

A seasoned content marketing strategist with 7 years of experience in trade show industry