Attendance at trade shows in the US can easily eclipse the population of most towns in this country. With counts of over 160,000 people, these shows can be huge. Exhibitors put a lot of time and energy into their displays, while the organizer make sure they have the best venue. Good shows are dynamic, with fresh content each time and lots of ideas for attendees. But they don’t all happen in exhibit halls. Some of the largest trade shows and conventions happen outdoors.
Here are the top ten trade shows based on Trade Show News Network’s 2014 list.
CONEXPO-CON/AGG put on by Association of Equipment Manufacturers has 2,111 exhibitors and over 97,000 attendees. This construction industry show is held every three year in Las Vegas.
2) Farm Progress is put on by Penton with about 617 exhibitors and 150,000 attendees. This agriculture trade show is held outdoors and has a huge range of events.
3) Husker Harvest Days also held by Penton, this farm show take place in Grand Island Nebraska on an 80 acre site. There are about 600+ exhibitors and over 100,000 attendees.
4) International CES. Breaking out of the ag business, the Consumer Electronics Show is probably one of the most popular trade show in the US. It is held by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), with 3,673 exhibitors and over 160,000 attendees. Las Vegas is PACKED during CES.
5) IMTS 2014 – International Manufacturing Technology Show held at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago is where manufacturers go to learn new tricks and technology. over 114,000 attendees can view more than 2,000 exhibitors.
6) The January Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market had over 90,000 attendees with 2,721 exhibitors in Atlanta GA. It is the largest home and gift trade show in the country.
7) The July Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market had over 89,000 attendees with 2,317 exhibitors in Atlanta GA.
8) The SEMA Show, attended by over 145,000 people with 2,380 exhibitors is an automotive specialty products trade show attended by people from more than 130 countries.
9) MAGIC Market Week – Aug. MAGIC is is one of two shows for MAGIC fashion held by Advanstar Communications. There are more than 71,000 attendees viewing 4,927 exhibits in the August trade show.
10) Mid-America Trucking Show The Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) is held each year at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, KY, with over 79,000 attendees and 1,077 exhibitors, this is the trade show for heavy duty truck.
If you happen to be an exhibitor at one of these trade show, or any others, take a look at the iPromo trade show page for links to way to make the show more effective for your, or get additional giveaway ideas. If you’re going to invest the time and energy into exhibiting, we want you to be armed with as many ideas as we can provide.