With an estimated 13,000 trade shows taking place in the United States each year, it can be difficult to know where to begin.
There are endless trade show opportunities, but how can you narrow down the list and determine which are worth attending? One major factor to take into account when choosing a trade show is location… location, location, location!
An Introduction to Trade Show Destinations
When looking at different trade show destinations in the United States, you will want to think about the city’s infrastructure, the venue options, the size and number of the shows there, the type of shows typically held there, and the distance and ease of travel, among other factors. This will help you prioritize which are the most important for your business to attend.
If you get overwhelmed by the options and need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our trade show experts for guidance!
Our Top 10 City Trade Shows
10. Atlanta Trade Shows
Atlanta is the largest city in the Southeastern United States. Year after year, the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta draws some of the top trade shows in the country. The events here are known for drawing attendees from not only across the country but around the world.
9. San Francisco Trade Shows
San Francisco’s proximity to Silicon Valley, home to many of the world’s largest tech companies and a plethora of start-ups, makes it a major destination for trade shows. Some of the top trade show venues in San Francisco include the Moscone Center, Mission Bay Conference Center, and South San Francisco Bay Convention Center.
8. Chicago Trade Shows
Chicago is another heavy-hitter when it comes to top trade show destinations in the United States. Why? Well for starters, Chicago is home to McCormick Place, the largest convention center in the United States, which can draw up to 3 million visitors per year. Chicago is also a central location on the East Coast with not one but two large international airports.
7. Washington DC Trade Shows
As the United States Capitol, Washington DC is another major hub for trade shows on the East Coast. D.C. was ranked ninth among the nation’s top convention cities according to Cvent in 2018.
6. New York Trade Shows
You probably aren’t surprised to see NYC, “the marketplace of the world,” on this list. Because of the city’s incredibly diverse culture, the city hosts a wide variety of interesting trade shows — from tech to contemporary furniture expos, and much more.
5. Dallas Trade Shows
Dallas hosts some very popular trade show events, including the Dallas Home & Garden Market, the Composites & Advanced Materials Expo, the Dallas Pet Expo, a Small Business Expo, and more.
4. Portland Trade Shows
True to the popular local phrase “Keep Portland Weird,” Portland, Oregon hosts an array of unique and wonderfully wacky trade shows and festivals, including the infamous Portland Oddities & Curiosities Expo. Exhibits Northwest is based in Portland and can help ensure your trade show success while you’re in town.
3. San Diego Trade Shows
San Diego’s sunny climate makes it a popular and inviting trade show destination year-round. It also has great infrastructure and high-quality facilities for maximum convenience.
2. Seattle Trade Shows
As the main trade show hub in the NW, Seattle has lots of great trade show venues, including the Washington State Convention Center, the Seattle Center, the Mendenbauer Center, SeattleMart, and the Lynwood Convention Center, just to name a few. If you’re looking for a Seattle trade show partner, our team at Exhibits Northwest is here to help!
1. Las Vegas Trade Shows
Las Vegas is perhaps the most popular and well-known trade show destination. Las Vegas is home to the number one ranking trade show according to Trade Show News Network’s 2019 top shows list, as well as some of the largest trade shows in the world. In fact, in 2019, the NAB Show in Vegas drew over 100,000 people and more than 1,600 vendors! It’s no surprise that Las Vegas, the “entertainment capital of the world,” hosts some pretty outlandish and grand trade show events.
A Trusted Partner for Your Next Trade Show
As you can see, there are many great trade show destinations in the U.S., and this list just scratches the surface.
Once you decide on a trade show destination, our experienced team can help ensure you stand out from the competition and achieve your trade show goals. With offices in Seattle and Portland, we’re especially familiar with and fond of the PNW trade show scene.
Check out some of our best trade show displays and contact us today to get started!