In my professional life I have been to more tradeshows and conventions than I care to admit.  Never did I give a thought to everything that goes into a show and the huge undertaking it must be to put one on. 

Even as a presenter, all I had to do was make sure my presentation was loaded on the computer, pray that the video and sound worked like it should and give a "drop  the mic" worthy presentation. 

And the exhibitors?  Never paid attention to them, except to get the cool swag they give away and see friends in that space.  Sure, I would notice the booths and intense displays, but I guess I thought someone snapped their fingers and all that stuff appeared.  

Topics: Tradeshow Shipping, Tradeshow, Logistics, Tradeshow Exhibit, Tradeshow Tools, conventions

Sure the internet and Google have changed the way we do business and find vendors and partners, but nothing beats the relationships that develop on a trade show floor. It's where we share our ideas, create partnerships and see the latest and greatest first hand.

Over the past year we have featured several great events, conferences and tradeshows on our list of interesting trade shows, including my personal favorite - this blog featuring The International Pizza Expo. 

But what do you do if your industry is a bit, um, unique?

Well I bet there's a tradeshow for that! 

This month we are showcasing events for the few things that we just can't avoid in life.

Topics: Tradeshow Shipping, Tradeshow, Tradeshow Exhibit, Events, Tradeshow Tools, High Road, Unusual Tradeshows

The good, The bad, The Cool and The ugly

We've been shipping freight for the tradeshow industry for almost two decades now and we've seen - and shipped - an awful lot of promotional products. Through careful research we have even developed a scientific method for determining the success of your promotional product: subtract the number of promo items shipping out of the show from the number shipped in. Isn't science wonderful??!!

Speaking of promo products - we asked our friends at ProForma Printelligence for some show stopping promo trends - aka The Good. We covered some cheap conference giveways - The Bad, added in some new and perhaps non-traditional items for The Cool and rounded it out with The Ugly - giveaways you couldn't give away and may need to ship to the nearest dumpster.

Topics: Insider, Tradeshow Shipping, Tradeshow, Tradeshow Exhibit, Nashville, Events, People You Need to Know

DID YOU KNOW???

Whether you’re new to trade show events or you're a seasoned pro, keeping a close eye on “the numbers” will help determine where your company should exhibit and / or which shows to attend for the latest and greatest trends in your industry.

Which shows bring in the most attendees? Have the largest square footage? And hey, here's one for your sales team to answer - What's the average percentage of lost sales due to a lack of follow-up??? 

Continue reading below for these answers and more... 

Topics: Tradeshow

 

3 Trade Shows That Will Tickle Your Taste Buds

 

As part of our new blog series  -  There’s a Trade Show for That??? - we thought it would be fun to dive into the delicious, healthy (or not so healthy) world of the food and snack shows!

 

A 2014 U.S. consumer spending analysis recognized that the food industry raked in almost one and one-half trillion dollars - that's a one and a five followed by a dozen zeroes - among individuals, businesses, and government entities. Figures like these make it seem obvious that the food industry would have several expos available across the country to attend and exhibit at, right? So let’s take a peek at some of the country’s hottest, newest, and fastest growing food expos in the nation!

 

Just don’t us blame if you start craving a Snicker’s bar.

 

International Pizza Expo

According to the USDA, nearly 40 cents per dollar spent in 2014 went to food purchased at restaurants, pizza shops, and burger joints nationwide, so it’s not surprising that we came across a show specifically targeting one of the country’s favorite fast food industries –  pizza!

 

The  International Pizza Expo is one of the largest pizza shows in the world, with over 500 exhibitors showcasing the most innovative products and services in the industry. Attendees from around the globe flock to the Las Vegas Convention Center to learn modern techniques to open, grow, or improve their pizza businesses. Although the annual conference is not open to the general public, pizzeria restaurant owners and managers, distributors, and food brokers can significantly benefit from attending the three-day event which includes over 90 seminars, baking demonstrations, networking events, and even skill competitions (hey paisan, it’s more than just tossing pizzas!).

 

To learn more about the International Pizza Expo or to register for the next year, which is scheduled for March 27-30, 2017, visit their website, www.pizzaexpo.com.

 

VIVA Fresh Produce Expo

If you are more into watching your waistline, or simply love working in the fresh produce industry, then the VIVA Fresh Produce Expo is the place to be. This regional event replaces the former Texas Produce Convention and is a fairly new event having been around for only two years. It offers dozens of networking and education events, including seminars, keynote speakers, golf tournaments (with awards!), and luncheons.

 

The VIVA Fresh Produce Expo takes health and wellness with a 5k Fun Run and 1k Wellness Walk event. They're not just talking the talk, they're walking the walk!

 

You can learn more about the VIVA Fresh Produce Expo by visiting www.vivafreshexpo.com. Be sure to subscribe to their newsletter to stay up-to-date on when to register for next year, which is scheduled for April 20th - 22nx at the Hilton Austin & Convention Center in Austin, Texas

 

Sweets & Snacks Expo

Quite possibly the sweetest place on earth, the Sweets & Snacks Expo is right up your snacking aisle if you are in the sugary, salty, sweet – and yummy – industry. With over FOUR ACRES of candy and snack products on display by exhibitors around the world, it just might be the biggest snack food exhibition in the world!

 

Every year, over 16,000 industry professionals and over 750 companies exhibit at the Sweets and Snacks Expo. The exhibition has earned significant media attention, has been recognized as one of the top 250 trade show events as well as landed in the top 50 as one of the fastest-growing trade shows in the industry. Attending or exhibiting at the event means you will be able to mingle, connect, and network with some of the largest and up-and-coming snack food companies in the world. Companies such as Almond Brothers (not to be mistaken for the Allman Brothers), Boyer's Candy Company, Inc., Clear Bags, Frito-Lay, and Dippin' Dots (and, really, who doesn't love Dippin' Dots?) frequently exhibit and attend. 

 

We're still on a candy high from last month's show in Chicago but it's never too early to start planning for next year. Learn more about Sweets and Snacks by visiting www.sweetsandsnacks.com. 

 

So there you have it! Three of the most delicious, sweet, satisfying tradeshows on Earth – or at least in the U.S.

 

If pizza, veggies and snacks aren't quite your thing (um, what???), check out our super duper check list for move out - maybe this might be more up your alley (hmm... wonder if there's a bowling show???). And as always, let us know if we can help with your tradeshow planning! 

 

 

Oh hey, did you miss our last post in this series? Not to worry, you can catch up by clicking here - Unique Trade Shows

 

Topics: Tradeshow Shipping, Tradeshow, Tradeshow Exhibit, Events, Tradeshow Tools

 

Our trade show department has been quite busy with the late spring and early summer bookings. As the show season is in full swing, we're getting knocked down a bit by allergies - if we're not sneezing into a tissue we're wiping down every surface with antibacterial wipes. Whoever came up with that idea was a genius!

 

Which reminds me...

 

Hey, there's a tradeshow for that! 

Paper products have become a staple in global economic history, from the development of paper for writing letters and postcards to the evolution of cold, flu and allergy season necessities.

 

So why wouldn't there be a show or two dedicated to two of the most used and useful paper products today - the tissue and the wipe.

 

These fantastic, interactive events are where the movers and shakers of the personal paper products industry meet, greet, discuss, and share ideas - but never tissues.

 

Before we start sneezing again, take a moment to check out these amazing conferences and conventions for an industry we hold near and dear to our hearts, um, noses. 

  

Tissue World

Hold on to your tissues!

 

Tissue World is one of the largest trade show and conference events in the world focused on sharing ways to serve the community and customer better. Tissue World holds several events around the globe, from Florida, to Milan and Istanbul to Sao Paulo. The stateside event is typically held in Miami and features over 150 vendors and exhibitors throughout the industry. 

 

If you missed the 2016 event held in New Orleans this year, be sure to register for the 2018 three-day event being held at the Miami Beach Convention Center on March 21 through 23.

 

More information on Tissue World can be found here.

 

World of Wipes

From baby wipes to facial wipes – the wipes industry has grown significantly over the last few decades. So it’s not surprising to find several trade shows and conventions across the nation specifically for this niche industry. World of Wipes is one of the largest international conferences in the world for the wipes industry, allowing professionals to exhibit and display their new products and talk about new markets and modern technology throughout the industry.

 

With thousands of visitors and hundreds of exhibitors attending the two-day event, professionals in this sector will enjoy networking with their peers on important topics like flush-ability, regulations, and formulations. Reserve your seat at the 2016 World of Wipes Conference, scheduled for June 6 and 7, or visit their website to see their full list of speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors. 

 

Check out the World of Wipes by clicking here. 

 

Remember, tradeshow planning isn't something to sneeze at. exhibiting at a trade show takes some serious planning. For top tips on trade show exhibits and planning, read Ask the Experts, our recent posting where we received tips from the top exhibt industry professional.

 

Looking for some info for your next show? Have you tried our Dim Weight Calculator? 

 

 

Topics: Tradeshow Shipping, Tradeshow, Tradeshow Exhibit, Events

 

Topics: Logistics

In terms of organizing events, trade show planning is at the pinnacle of challenging functions to coordinate for most every organization and association. It takes months to coordinate every detail, and even the smallest overlooked detail can have a big impact on the event's success. 

Learn the 10 elements that all the best trade show events have in common, and then apply these tips to your next trade show:

Topics: Tradeshow, Tradeshow Exhibit, Tradeshow Problems, Events

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Trade shows are hard...

They can also be expensive. And time consuming. And difficult to measure the return on investment. However, such a networking opportunity to meet potential partners and customers can be invaluable for your company. Unless of course, your trade show booth is a flop and you fail to attract and engage any passers by. In the world of trade shows, your booth can make or break your team. 

Make the most of your next trade show by learning how to put together a successful trade show booth!

Topics: Tradeshow, Tradeshow Exhibit, Tradeshow Problems

We had the pleasure of interviewing Vince Battaglia, Founder of B2B Communications. The company designs and supplies all of the data available on our website's trade show calendar. The trade show calendar includes a comprehensive list of various shows and exhibits held around the United States. It allows users to customize their search based on the show’s name, location, and industry. Learn more about Vince, The Trade Show Calendar, and how he began his career in the trade show industry.

Topics: Tradeshow, Tradeshow Exhibit, Events, Tradeshow Tools, People You Need to Know