Ever wonder why so many businesses flock to trade shows and expos year after year?
Well, when it comes to B2B growth, these events are like the Super Bowl of networking and innovation.
Picture this: You’re walking through one of the top 100 trade shows in North America, surrounded by the buzz of excitement and possibility. That’s where the magic happens!
Let’s face it, in our digital age, nothing quite beats the power of a good old-fashioned handshake and a face-to-face chat. From the biggest trade shows that feel like small cities to those niche US exhibitions where everyone seems to know each other, these events are goldmines for building relationships that last.
Think about it – where else can you get up close and personal with the latest gadgets, gizmos, and game-changers in your industry? Popular trade shows and top conventions in the US are like playgrounds for professionals. You get to touch, feel, and experience products in ways that a website just can’t match. It’s like the difference between watching a movie trailer and actually sitting in the theater – the experience is on a whole other level!
And let’s not forget the brain food!
These expos events are packed with industry insights that’ll make your head spin (in a good way). Whether you’re soaking up wisdom from a keynote speaker or swapping stories with a fellow attendee, you’re guaranteed to leave with your mental tanks full and ready to take on the world.
From the glitzy exhibition shows in Las Vegas to the buttoned-up affairs in New York, the top 100 events in North America offer something for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re a small fish in a big pond or a market leader – these trade shows and expos are your chance to make a splash and show the world what you’ve got.
So, whether you’re eyeing the most popular trade shows or seeking out hidden gems among US exhibitions, remember – in the world of B2B, these events are where deals are made, innovations are born, and businesses grow.
Ready to dive in? Let’s explore the exciting world of trade shows and expos together!
How to Choose the Right Trade Show: Your Roadmap to Exhibition Success
So, you’re ready to dive into the exciting world of trade shows and expos, but with so many options, how do you pick the perfect fit? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Here’s your down-to-earth guide to choosing the trade show that’ll make your business shine.
- Know Your Industry Inside Out: First things first, stick to your playground. Whether you’re in tech, healthcare, or selling the coolest gadgets, there’s a trade show with your name on it. The top conventions in the US often cater to specific industries, so start by shortlisting the ones that speak your language.
- Size Matters (But It’s Not Everything) :Are you a small fish looking to make a big splash, or a corporate giant aiming to maintain your crown? The biggest trade shows might seem tempting, but sometimes the more niche US exhibitions can offer better networking opportunities. Remember, it’s not always about the size of the pond, but how well you swim in it!
- Set Your Goals (And Make Them SMART): What’s your endgame? Are you looking to launch a product, generate leads, or just soak up some industry insights? The most popular trade shows might be great for exposure, but if you’re after targeted networking, a smaller expo event might be your golden ticket.
- Crunch Those Numbers: Let’s talk money, honey! Your budget will play a big role in which trade shows and expos you can realistically attend. Don’t forget to factor in booth costs, travel, accommodations, and those fancy brochures you’ll be handing out like candy.
- Location, Location, Location: From the glitz of Las Vegas to the hustle of New York, the venue can make or break your experience. Consider your target audience – where are they likely to show up? The top 100 events in North America are spread out, so choose a location that makes sense for your business.
- Timing is Everything: Check your calendar and the industry pulse. Is there a peak season for your business? The timing of exhibition shows can impact attendance and engagement, so pick a date that aligns with your business cycles.
- Do Your Homework: Before you commit, do some detective work. Check out past attendee lists, read reviews, and maybe even chat with fellow exhibitors. The best trade shows have a track record of success and happy participants.
- Think Long-term: Remember, building relationships at trade shows is like planting seeds – it takes time to grow.
Consider choosing events that you can attend regularly. Consistency at popular trade shows can help build your brand presence over time.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to choosing the perfect trade show or expo for your business. Whether you end up at one of the top 100 trade shows or a niche industry gathering, you’ll be ready to make the most of it.
So, put on your comfortable shoes, practice your elevator pitch, and get ready to conquer the trade show floor!
The power of US trade shows and expos for B2B growth
Whether you’re CEO driving your company’s launch of new products, or a marketing manager selling and wanting to connect with purchasers and influencers, trade shows allow you to generate a level of exposure impossible to achieve through other channels.
The top events we’ve listed in this article can connect you with thousands of engaged attendees in just a few days. These immersive experiences lead to relationships that drive revenue for months and years to follow. The sheer depth of interactions, visibility, and connections mean US trade exhibitions deliver business outcomes that cannot be matched through other marketing, sales, or networking channels.
Use our list below to determine the right US shows for your brand and objectives, so you can optimize your presence without having to worry about pesky logistics costs. Start planning today, and choose which upcoming shows make the most sense to accelerate your brand’s growth through exhibitions. The opportunities are immense!
Must-attend US exhibitions in 2024 and 2025
Our list below includes all the exceptional exhibition events the US has to offer in 2024 and 2025; it naturally covers a variety of different business sectors across every region of the country. Rest assured, we believe there will be something for everyone to enjoy:
- CES Consumer Electronics Show 9 – 12 January 2024; 7 – 10 January 2025,Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- World of Concrete 21 – 23 January 2025, Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- NAMM Show 25 – 28 January 2024; 23 – 25 January 2025, Anaheim Convention Center (Anaheim CA)
- The International Surface Event 27 – 30 January 2025, Mandalay Bay Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- NRF – Retail’s Big Show 12 – 14 January 2025, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center (New York NY)
- PPAI Expo 14 – 16 January 2025, Mandalay Bay Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- NY Now 4 – 7 February 2024; 4 – 7 August 2024, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center (New York NY)
- Medical Design & Manufacturing – MD&M 4 – 6 February 2025, Anaheim Convention Center (Anaheim CA)
- International Roofing Expo 6 – 8 February 2024, Mandalay Bay Convention Center (Las Vegas NV); 19 – 21 February 2025,Henry Gonzales Convention Center (San Antonio TX)
- Southern Home & Garden Expo 7 – 8 February 2025, Venue: TBD
- WWDMAGIC 19 – 21 August 2024, Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- Southern Spring Home & Garden Show 21 – 23 February 2025, Greenville Convention Center (Greenville SC)
- World AG Expo 11 – 13 February 2025, International Agri-Center (Tulare CA)
- Intersolar US 25 – 27 February 2025, San Diego Convention Centre (San Diego CA)
- SME Conference & Expo 23 – 26 February 2025, Phoenix Convention Center (Phoenix AZ)
- The Precast Show 5 – 7 February 2025, Indiana Convention Center (Indianapolis IN)
- The Inspired Home and Housewares Show 2 – 4 March 2025, McCormick Convention Centre (Chicago IL)
- Conexpo-Con/Agg 3 – 7 March 2026, Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- Natural Products West 4 – 8 March 2025, Anaheim Convention Center (Anaheim CA)
- CMAA 5 – 9 February 2025 Tampa; 17 – 21 February 2026 Anaheim; 31 January – 4 February 2027 Chicago
- GDC 18 – 23 March 2024; 17 – 21 March 2025, Moscone Convention Center (San Francisco CA)
- Energy Storage 26 – 27 March 2025, Hyatt Regency (Dallas TX)
- PCA 11 – 14 April 2025, New Orleans Convention Center (New Orleans LA)
- Pizza Expo 25 – 27 March 2025, Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- Travel Goods Show 25 – 27 March 2025, Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- MWC Los Angeles 8 – 10 October 2024, Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- SHARE 4-8 August 2024, Loews Kansas City Hotel (Kansas City MO)
- SXSW Conference & Festivals 7 – 15 March 2025, Austin Convention Center (Austin TX)
- AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo 9 – 12 March 2024, Music City Center (Nashville TN); 5 – 8 April 2025 (Boston MA)
- ASD Market Week 10 – 13 March 2024, 9 – 12 March 2025, Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- Natural Products Expo 12 – 16 March 2024, 4 – 8 March 2025, Anaheim Convention Center (Anaheim CA)
- Vision Expo East 19 – 22 February 2025, Orange County Convention Center (Orlando FL)
- Seatrade Cruise Global 7 – 10 April 2025, Miami Beach Convention Center (Miami Beach FL)
- Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention 30 March – 2 April 2026, San Diego Convention Center (San Diego CA)
- NAB Show 6 – 9 April 2025, Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- Craft Brewers Conference & Expo 28 April – 1 May 2025, Indiana Convention Center (Indianapolis IN)
- National Hardware Show NHS 7 – 9 May 2024; 18 – 20 March 2025,Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- MailCon New York 17 April 2024, Convene (New York NY)
- eMerge 27 – 28 March 2025, Miami Beach Convention Center (Miami FL)
- IPW 14 – 18 June 2025, Venue TBC (Chicago IL)
- RIMS RiskWorld 4 – 7 May 2025, McCormick Place Convention Center (Chicago IL)
- AWEA Windpower 6 – 9 May 2024, Minneapolis Convention Center (Minneapolis MN)
- Offshore Technology Conference 5 – 8 May 2025, NRG Park (Houston TX)
- Clean Power 19 – 22 May 2025, Phoenix Convention Center (Phoenix AZ)
- White Label World Expo 16 – 17 April 2025, Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- PAX East 8 – 11 May 2025, Boston Convention Center (Boston MA)
- NRAAM 24 – 27 April 2025, Venue TBC (Atlanta GA)
- National Restaurant Association Show 17 – 20 May 2025, McCormick Convention Center (Chicago IL)
- JCK 6 – 9 June 2025, The Venetian Expo (Las Vegas NV)
- Premiere Orlando 31 May – 2 June 2025, Orange County Convention Center (Orlando FL)
- Bio International Convention 16- 19 June 2025, Venue TBC (Boston MA)
- NRF Protect 23 – 25 June 2025, Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center (Grapevine TX)
- IRCE @ RetailX Internet Retailer Exhibition + Conference 4 – 6 June 2024: McCormick Place (Chicago IL)
- InfoComm 11 – 13 June 2024, Orange County Convention Center (Orlando FL)
- Outdoor Retailer 6 – 8 November 2024, Salt Lake City Convention Center (Salt Lake City UT)
- ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition, 27 June – 2 July 2024, San Diego Convention Center (San Diego CA)
- Hydrovision International 15 – 18 July 2024, Colorado Convention Centre (Denver CO)
- HPE Discover 18 – 20 June 2024, The Venetian (Las Vegas NV)
- IFT First 14 – 17 July 2024, McCormick Place (Chicago IL)
- AWFS Fair 22 – 25 July 2025,Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- Cosmoprof 23 – 25 July 2024, Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- Clinical Lab Expo 28 July – 1 August 2024, McCormick Place Convention Center (Chicago IL)
- Click on 2 Aug 2024, InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile (Chicago IL)
- IWF 6 – 9 August 2024, Georgia World Congress Center (Atlanta GA)
- SIGGRAPH 6 – 10 August, Los Angeles Convention Center (Los Angeles CA)
- SuperZoo 14 – 16 August 2024, Mandalay Bay Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- iPharma Expo 16 – 17 August 2024, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (Boston MA)
- Farm Progress Show 27 – 29 August 2024 (Boone IA)
- IMTS 9 – 14 September 2024, McCormick Place Convention Center (Chicago IL)
- Solar Power International 9 – 12 September 2024, Anaheim Convention Center (Anaheim CA)
- International Fastener Expo 10 – 11 September 2024, Mandalay Bay Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- Bicsi Fall Conference & Exhibition 15 – 19 September, Caesars Forum (Las Vegas NV)
- NSC Safety 16 – 18 September 2024, Orange County Convention Center (Orlando FL)
- Farm Science Review 17 – 19 September 2024, Molly Caren Agricultural Center (London OH)
- Discovery on Target 20 September – 3 October 2024, Sheraton Boston (Boston MA)
- GSX 23 – 25 September 2024, Orange County Convention Center (Orlando FL)
- Bioprocess International Conference & Exhibition 23 – 26 September 2024, Hynes Convention Center (Boston MA)
- Big Boys Toys 4 – 6 October 2024, Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- Healthcare Design Conference & Expo 5 – 8 October 2024, Indiana Convention Center (Indianapolis IN)
- WEFTEC 5 – 9 October 2024, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (New Orleans LA)
- Global Gaming Expo 7 – 10 October 2024, Sands Expo and Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- The Utility Expo, formerly ICUEE 7 – 9 October 2025, Kentucky Exposition Center (Louisville KY)
- NACS Show 7 – 10 October 2024, Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- IMEX 8 – 10 October 2024, Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- FABTECH 15 – 17 October 2024, Orange County Convention Center (Orlando FL)
- GIE+EXPO 16 – 18 October 2024, Kentucky Exposition Center (Louisville KY)
- ISP Annual Meeting & Expo 13 – 16 October, Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Centre (Kissimmee FL)
- IMEX America 17 – 19 October 2024, Mandalay Bay Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- PMA Fresh Summit 17 – 19 October 2024, Venue TBD
- AAPS PharmSci 360 20 – 23 October 2024, Salt Palace Convention Center (Salt Lake City UT)
- Chicago Build 22 – 23 October 2024, McCormick Place Convention Center (Chicago IL)
- Money 20/20 27 – 30 October 2024, The Venetian (Las Vegas NV)
- Eats 28 – 30 October 2025,McCormick Place Convention Center (Chicago IL)
- World Drug Safety Congress Americas 29 – 30 October 2024, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (Boston MA)
- Pack Expo 3 – 6 November 2024, McCormick Place Convention Center (Chicago IL)
- AAPEX 5 – 7 November 2024, Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- SEMA 5 – 8 November 2024, Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas NV)
- Greenbuild 12 – 15 November 2024, Washington Convention Center (Washington DC)
- Automation Fair 20 – 21 November 2024, Anaheim Convention Center (Anaheim CA)
- San Diego International Auto Show 28 December 2024 – 1 January 2025, San Diego Convention Center (San Diego CA)
Venues for US exhibitors
As seen in our list above, the US trade fairs are held in a variety of prestigious exhibition venues that enable exhibitors, organizers, vendors and guests to make the most of their business-to-business (B2B) exhibition experience:
- Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) in Las Vegas, Nevada – One of the largest exhibition venues in the country and the world, the LVCC hosts some of the attended events of the year, such as the Consumer Electronics Show and the World of Concrete. It even has its own transportation system to help reduce walking times.
- Anaheim Convention Center (ACC) in Anaheim, California – This robust facility is the largest of its kind on the West Coast and has undergone half a dozen expansions in its recent history.
- Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada – Another premier event venue in Las Vegas, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center is known for its expansive 2.1 million square feet of flexible meeting space, its state-of-the-art facilities, and its prime location on the Las Vegas Strip.
- Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York – This leading event venue features plenty of versatile exhibition space, a modern design featuring an expansive glass façade, and a convenient location in the heart of Manhattan. It’s a key hub for several major conventions and exhibitions in the USA.
- San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California – With its eye-catching sail-like architecture, the San Diego Convention Center is an unmistakable waterfront venue with both charm and practicality. It hosts Intersolar USA’s flagship exhibition event.
- McCormick Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois – In terms of sheer size, Chicago’s McCormick Convention Center is king. With over 2.6 million square feet of pure exhibition space, it is the United States’ most practical venue for large-scale events.
- Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana – Co-located alongside the Lucas Oil Stadium, this upbeat venue is a regional powerhouse for conventions, trade shows, and sporting events.
- Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Florida – Recent renovations have turned this historic venue into a sleek and modern exhibition facility. It hosts the Seatrade Global exhibition, which focuses on the latest trends in the global cruise industry.
- Boston Convention Center, Massachusetts – A hallmark of the Boston Seaport District, the Boston Convention Center is one of the most advanced venues in the Northeast for conventions, trade fairs, and expo events.
US exhibitions – what do the stats say?
The exhibition and trade show industry in the United States has seen a number of significant developments following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2024, the market size of the trade show and conference planning services industry in the U.S. is approximately $21.4 billion, reflecting a 1.4% increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, total spending on trade show events reached $15.6 billion, with companies typically allocating about 31.6% of their marketing budgets to these events.
More than 90% of US trade fair visitors cite new product development and service displays as their core reason for attending; so if you’d like to capitalize on a hungry market, where better to participate in some exhibitions than in the USA?
Closing thoughts
That’s a wrap! Are you planning to exhibit at a top US venue soon? Our global experience, network & local leadership make Booth Exhibits™ your ideal partner. Calculate your project costs with our price calculator, or speak to one of our team today!