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5 MIN. READ
Trade shows and live events are tremendous opportunities for marketers to learn more about industry providers. Unfortunately, the pandemic triggered the cancellation of live events, hitting the trade show industry hard. Many trade shows innovated by creating virtual events for attendees.
Now, as more people become vaccinated and COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, trade shows are back up and running, live and in-person for the first time in more than a year.
So how essential is it for companies to get back on the trade show circuit and which are the best manufacturing shows to attend?
For starters, not only are key personnel from large enterprises presenting, but you can actually see the products and services different companies offer firsthand. For marketing and sales professionals, this level of immersion allows you to speak with authority when working with these companies.
Related: Top 5 Reasons for Attending a Trade Show
Trade shows are also perhaps the most effective way for marketers to get their foot in the door with industry representatives. Since trade shows are usually attended by a majority, if not all, of a company's senior and C-level staff, finding the right people is quite literally a walk in the park (or in this case, a walk on the showroom floor).
It's not a one-sided relationship, either. There's a reason company executives and senior officers attend trade shows so regularly. Brands need to get their products or services in front of marketers to succeed. For brands that make a standout appearance at a trade show, the return on investment in contacts made and contracts negotiated is sizable. The fact that both marketers and businesses are so invested in the success of their trade show appearances makes these shows the go-to location for good firms and marketers to outpace the competition.
If you would like to benefit from face-to-face meetings and extensive education on the industry, consider the following can't-miss events.
Design-2-Part
Date: Multiple dates/locations in Spring and Fall of 2021
Featuring 300 service categories, the Design-2-Part Show is America’s longest running and most trusted events for sourcing custom parts and services. For over 40 years, the Design-2-Part shows have provided job shops and contract manufacturers the opportunity to meet in-person with OEM engineers and buyers. In 2021, Design-2-Part shows are upcoming in Texas, Connecticut and Greater Chicago this summer and Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana this fall. See here for a list of upcoming shows.
Oktoberfest Tool Show
Date: September 21-23, 2021
Location: Plymouth, Minnesota
Billed as the largest distributor operated trade show event in the Midwest, the biennial Oktoberfest Tool Show hosted by Productivity, Inc. showcases the latest in machining and offering live demonstrations of current manufacturing technologies.
At this show, attendees are treated to new product releases, robotic cells in action, tool vending systems, measurement and programming software solutions, dimensional inspection products, and can even bid online on a used machine live auction.
Read more: The Show Must Go On: Announcing Productivity's 21st Oktoberfest Tool Show
National Business Aviation Association
Date: October 12-14, 2021
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
The National Business Aviation Association's convention is one of the premier trade shows for the aerospace and aviation industry.
This convention is dedicated to exploring and promoting the interests of business-related aerospace manufacturers and organizations. Whether you aim to do business in the aerospace industry internationally or locally, this is one trade show you shouldn't miss.
Specialty Equipment Marketing Association
Date: November 2-5, 2021
Location: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
If your niche is in the premium auto parts market, you'll want to attend this one. Averaging over 100,000 attendees and 2,000 exhibitors, the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association is a seminal event for premium auto parts manufacturers and marketers.
The sheer size and scope of this event make it well worth a visit for any marketer focused on specialty auto parts or cars.
FABTECH
Date: September 13-16, 2021
Location: Chicago, Illinois
If there's one trade show on this list that's a must-visit for marketers regardless of the industry they target, it's FABTECH.
FABTECH covers the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industries. The event averages more than 1,900 exhibitors and 48,000 attendees per year, making it one of the largest trade shows for the fabrication industry.
FABTECH is dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge advancement in fabrication technology from all the most prominent industry players, as well as scrappy start-ups and medium-sized enterprises. As part of this focus, it regularly features presentations on the most significant advancements in fabrication technology.
The wealth of exhibitors at FABTECH and the presentations the event offers make it uniquely valuable to marketers. Not only can you make vital connections with company executives and senior officers, but you can also leave the event completely up to date on the latest in fabrication technology. You can't ask for much more from a trade show than that.
National Automobile Dealers Association
Date: March 10-13, 2022
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
This convention is another key event for marketers in the automotive industry. The purpose of the National Automobile Dealers Association is to connect automobile dealers with leading manufacturers in the industry.
For marketers - whether you're helping dealers sell cars or trying to penetrate the automotive manufacturing market - this trade show offers an abundance of opportunities.
International Wireless Communications Expo (VIRTUAL)
Date: September 27-30th, 2021
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
If you're invested in the communications industry, this trade show is for you. From revolutionary developments in 5G technology to communications devices that look like they were stolen from the set of Star Trek, this show is one of the best places to mingle with the best minds the wireless communications industry has to offer.
The International Plastics Showcase
Date: May 6-10, 2024
Location: Orlando, Florida
This trade show is a ways off, but it's essential to have it on your radar. The International Plastics Showcase is perhaps the only trade show where you can find all the biggest movers and shakers in the international plastics industry in a single location.
For marketers invested in the plastics industry, this is simply a show that you can't afford to miss - so start planning to attend.
Live U.S. Cannabis Expos
For those looking to do business with the cannabis industry, the multistate U.S. Canna Expos provide a unique opportunity for dedicated cannabusiness professionals to connect with exhibitors providing the products and services needed in this fast-growing market. Each expo has a large floor to showcase companies and dozens of educational business seminars led by industry leaders.
The U.S. Canna Expo Shows combines live events with a winter virtual event December 8-9, 2021 The live events are as follows:
• Chicago: June 24-25
• Michigan: July 13-14
• Penn., NY, NJ: August 25-26
• Ohio/Kentucky: September 9-10
• Missouri: November 17-18
This year, MNI will be displaying the North American Cannabis Industry Business Database at both the Chicago (booth 245) and Michigan shows (booth 210). The North American Cannabis Business Industry Database is a comprehensive database of cannabis industry businesses, powered by MNI data. The database provides live access to 11,000 companies and 13,000 executives in the cannabis industry.
Are you struggling to effectively reach manufacturers? IndustrySelect can help. With access to over 400,000 providers and contact data for their decision-makers, you can make the right connections all year round. If you already have a subscription, you can easily build lists of prospects at one of these trade shows and follow up with them later. Try our free demo today.
Editor's note: This article was originally published in October 2019. It has been updated to reflect new dates and trade show information.
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