For inventors there are basically 3 different types of trade shows that would be valuable to follow up with. They are:
1. CONSUMER TRADE SHOWS
2. INDUSTRIAL TRADE SHOW
3. INVENTION TRADE SHOWS
Consumer Trade Shows are the Auto Shows, Boat Shows and Home & Garden Shows. These shows are held all over the country and anyone can pay the admission to attend. These shows are for local distributors and retailers to promote sales to consumers. As an inventor, you would attend the show as a consumer and look around at all the vendors to see what they offer. You will make a list of the vendors who you believe could be the most interested in your product. You can speak with the vendors at the show, however DO NOT let them know about your product idea. Simply ask them who you can contact to present your invention idea to.
Industrial Trade Shows represent specific industries—most of them having at least one national trade show held in a major city each year with smaller regional trade shows held throughout the country. Industry trade shows are usually sponsored by a trade association. Attendance is restricted to trade professionals and booths are sold to companies with products to sell to distributors and retailers.
Invention Trade Shows are where inventors go to exhibit their inventions in hopes of attracting a manufacturers, distributors and even retailers. You are the vendor showcasing your invention. Booth space can be somewhat expensive. You should only buy a booth at an invention tradeshow if you have legal protection such as a patent or at the least patent pending. You should also have several working products on display. Hopefully you have finished products that are packaged and able to be sold. This will attract more serious and interested buyers.
The following is a list of Trade Shows to consider.
· I.D.E.A. World Fitness Convention: August 11-16, 2009 | Anaheim, CA | http://www.ideafit.com/world/index.asp IDEA World Fitness Convention is the ultimate in fitness conventions, bringing you the perfect mixture of academic knowledge and practical skills, serious insights and entertainment galore, networking opportunities and the chance to enjoy time just for you. Gather the latest information on: Group exercise, personal training, nutrition, indoor cycling water fitness, mind-body fitness lifestyle coaching, kid’s fitness, and more…
· Surf Expo: Aug. 20-22 | Orlando, FL | http://www.surfexpo.com Boats, Body boards, Dive Equipments and ACCESSORIES, Kayaks and Accessories, Kite boarding, Skateboards and Accessories, Skim boards, Snowboards, Surfboards and Accessories, Volleyball Apparel and Equipment, Wakeboards and Accessories, Water-skis and Accessories, Windsurf Equipment and Accessories, Wetsuits.
· MAGIC Marketplace: Aug. 31 - Sept. 2 | Las Vegas, NV | www.magiconline.com Men’s, Women’s & Children’s Apparel, Accessories, Sportswear, Fabric etc.
· PGA Fall Expo: Aug. 31 - Sept. 2 | Las Vegas, NV | http://www.pgaexpo.com Golf & golf related products, equipment, apparel & accessories…apparel, footwear and carts, clubhouse accessories, etc.
· HIDA MedSurg Conference & Expo: Sept. 9 - 11 2009 TBA | Washington DC | www.hida.org Medical Products: bags, bandages, cardiology equipment, convalescent care products, dental, diagnostic equipment, disinfectants, disposable medical supplies, furniture, gloves, home medical equipment, lab equipment & supplies, lights, patient aids, personal care products, pillows/mattresses, safety equipment, skin care, surgical equipment, and more!
· Action Sports Retailer Show: Sept. 10-12 | San Diego, CA | www.asrbiz.com Largest action sports lifestyle industry - products in the surf, skate, swim, snow, and street wear/style markets.
· California Dental Association Conference: Sept. 11-13 | San Francisco, CA | http://www.cda.org The CDA 2009 Fall Scientific session will feature exhibit halls on two levels of the Moscone West Convention Center showcasing the latest products and services to complement the dental practice
· World Market Center: Sept. 14-17 2009 | Las Vegas, NV | www.lasvegasmarket.com Home furnishings
· Super Zoo: Sept. 15-17, 2009 | Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV | http://www.superzoo.org/ Pet Industry Trade Show
· HBA Health & Beauty America: Sept. 15-17, 2009 | Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY | www.hbaexpo.com Serving the cosmetics, personal care and fragrance industries
· Interbike International Bicycle Expo: Sept. 23-25, 2009 | Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas, NV | www.Interbike.com Bicycle Specialty Retailers, Bicycle Shop Owners, Rental Shop Owners, Guides and Outfitters, General Sporting Goods Retailers, Department Store Buyers, Mail Order Buyers, Outdoor & Bicycle Specialty E-tailors, Mass Merchants and Outlets, Resale Distributors and Wholesalers, Working Media, Manufacturers, Distributors, Importers & Exporters, Event Promoters, Team Managers, Athletes, and anyone affiliated with the bicycle trade industry.
· International Lawn, Garden & Power Equipment Expo: October 29-31, 2009 | Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, KY | http://www.gie-expo.com/ Outdoor power equipment, distributed through dealers, retailers and distributors for consumer, professional and rental use Lawn and garden products/ outdoor leisure items, distributed through home centers, dealers and retailers Light construction and landscape equipment used by general contractors, landscapers, golf course superintendents and parks & recreation crews.
· Medtrade Fall: Oct. 12-15 TBA | Atlanta, GA | www.medtrade.com Home healthcare, mobility products, medical/surgical equip.’s, aids to daily living, etc.
· H.H. Backer Pet Industry Show: Oct. 2-4 | Rosemont (Chicago), IL www.hhbacker.com Manufacturers, distributors & retailers of pet and pet related products and services.
· SEMA – Automotive: Nov. 3-6 | Las Vegas, NV | www.sema.org Restyling & appearance products, tires, wheels & accessories, tools & equipment, lighting & mobile electronics, etc.
· Chemical Process Industries Expo: Nov. 17-19, 2009 | NY, NY | http://www.chemshow.com Process Equipment, Instruments & Controls, Plant-wide Automation, Powder Processing Equipment, Engineered Materials, Environment & Safety Equipment, Fluids & Powder Handling Equipment, Maintenance & Retrofit, and more
International Events - Trade Shows, Spotlights, & Forums
ProcureCon 2009: Nov. 3 - 6 | Brussels, Belgium | Hotel Le Plaza | +44 (0) 207 368 9465 | email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | http://www.procurecon.com
Inventions New Techniques & Products Exhibition: April 21-25, 2010 | Geneva, Switzerland | http://www.inventions-geneva.ch/cgi-bin/gb-exposants.php
Power Industry and Electrical Engineering: 5/19/2009- 5/22/2009 |
Young inventors’ Corner: Camp Invention National Locations | 565 WHITE POND DRIVE AKRON, OH 44320| 800.968.4332 PHONE 330.849.8528 FAX | http://www.invent.org/camp/default.aspx
Collegiate Inventors Competition: Registration deadline for 09 June 16 | http://www.invent.org/collegiate/index.html
Inventors & Innovators - Summer Programs at Sims Park: July 15 - July 19, 2009 | Philadelphia, PA | Euclid Recreation Department 585 E. 222ndStreet | 216-289-8114 | www.euclidrecreation.com
2nd Annual Tampa Bay Innovation Express Inventor Contest at MOSI: March 2010 TBD | Tampa, FL | Museum of Science and Industry | MOSI.org
Taipei Invention Show & Technomart - Taipei, Taiwan: Taipei International Invention Show & Technomart is an exhibition related to the business services sector which includes High Technology, Fiber Optics, Machinery, Construction, Safety Equipment, Environmental Protection, Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare, Transport and Communications, Household Electronic Appliances, Hardware, Agriculture, Food, Textiles, etc.
Inventor Trade Shows
A listing of national and international trade shows of interest to inventors.
United States Trade Shows
The Licensing Show
– An annual trade event and conference sponsored by the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers Associationwhere consumer product manufacturers, retailers, and marketers come to acquire intellectual property rights, forge merchandising and promotional partnerships, and preview trends that impact consumer spending.
APPMA Pet Products Trade Show
– The international marketplace for the pet products industry. When you attend the APPMA Show you will find 600 exhibitors in 1,500 booths. 90% of the pet products manufactured in the United States are represented at the Show. Professional pet product buyers from more than 60 countries come to the APPMA Show to find the world's most innovative products all in one location.
Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo
- At no other show will you find as many qualified buyers and sellers from all segments of the automotive aftermarket. Last year, nearly 70,000* visitors from every corner of the global automotive aftermarket attended AAPEX, 31,000* of them were buyers with purchasing power. Over 1,700 exhibitors participate in AAPEX, the Automotive Aftermarket Event of the Year!
SEMA International Tire Expo
– SEMA Show runs concurrently with the AAPEX Show including additional manufacturers of automotive aftermarket parts, tires, accessories and equipment for the specialty equipment, performance, racing, import and general automotive markets.
National Hardware & Building Products Expo
– The premier event in the world for hardware, lawn & garden, building, and home improvement manufacturers, producers, distributors, independent representatives, retailers and marketers. Virtually everything imaginable in the building and home improvement trades is available. The National Hardware Show is the largest trade show of any type.
International Juvenile Products Show
– A national trade organization of more than 400 companies in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. These companies manufacture and/or import infant products such as cribs, car seats, strollers, bedding, and a wide range of accessories and decorative items targeted to infant and pre-schoolers.
International Housewares Show
– The world's largest housewares marketplace, showcasing thousands of new products and designs for the home and garden.
New York International Gift Fair
– The premier gift and decorative accessories market in the United States. This semi-annual event fills 638,000 net square feet, including the entire Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and the Passenger Ship Terminal. The 45,000 national and international attendees are drawn from major retail outlets, specialty retailers, distributors, catalog companies and others. There are more than 2,900 firms exhibiting in eleven major merchandise sections of the Fair, including international sponsored groups representing Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Guatemala, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Poland, Canadian Province of Quebec, South Africa, Thailand and United Kingdom.
Licensing International
– At Licensing 2003 International, exhibitors and attendees from all over the world meet to grant and acquire the rights to transform a sports team logo, character, trademark, brand or design into a retail phenomenon.
Variety Merchandise Show
– Introduced in 1949 as the first trade show to offer a one stop shopping opportunity in the general merchandise industry. Popular and effective, VMS is back in New York City at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center to maximize your show experience! Exhibitors of the Variety Merchandise Show are national and international prime source suppliers: wholesalers, distributors, and manufacturers of general and variety merchandise. Attendees of the Variety Merchandise Show range from volume buying syndicates to owners of small independent retail shops, and everything in between. VMS will feature thousands of products in 150 merchandise categories.
Super Show - World of Sport Innovation
– Sponsored by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, The Super Show has the latest merchandise fo health clubs, drug stores, golf shops, cruise lines, bookstores, fashion catalogs, hardware stores, surf shops, toy stores, auto accessory supply, etc. There is an incredible, diversified product mix that will boost sales, increase profits and foster customer loyalty. The Super Show is laid out with 21 distinct shows-within-a-show.
The NAMM Show
– Sponsored by International Music Products Association, the NAMM Show has everything from accordions to zithers. Miles of aisles feature the newest, state-of-the-art music products, as well established classics and hot, up-and-coming innovations - all under one roof! The NAMM Show is attended by more than 65,000 registrants packing the aisles of the Anaheim Convention Center to check out the latest gear. The show is a star studded event with endorsing musicians such as Carlos Santana, Sheila E., Stevie Wonder, Dweezil Zappa, Keanu Reeves and Korn, adding to the spectacle as they pose for pictures and talk shop with show attendees. From CBS to CNN and E! Entertainment Television, Journalists from throughout the world come to cover the new instruments unveiled.
Lawn & Garden Marketing and Distribution Association
– Represents distributors and manufacturers of lawn and garden goods throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico and is an influential force within the lawn and garden industry. The Association has guided many companies for almost 30 years during many periods of change and uncertainty. Their goal is to further the growth and profitability of all segments of the lawn and garden industry through the promotion of Distributor and Manufacturer partnerships. This 33rd annual trade show is for LGMDA members only and for retailers by member invitation only.
Tradeshows, Conferences and Seminars
Trade Show Central
– Trade Show Central is a free Internet service providing information on more than 30,000 Trade Shows, Conferences & Seminars, 5,000 service providers, and 5,000 venues and facilities around the world. TSC connects people who organize and support trade shows with those who attend and exhibit at them.
International Trade Shows
The Australian Innovation Festival
– The Australian Innovation Festival celebrates the development and implementation of new ideas and applauds better ways for operating across all industries.
Brussels Eureka!
– Held each year in Brussels, Belgium, The World Exhibition of Innovation, Research and New Technology is a forum for research specialists, inventors and innovative associations, as well as official patent and trademark registration personnel.
IENA - Ideas, Inventions, New Products Exposition
- Held annually in Nuremberg, Germany, past shows have included 450 exhibitors from 23 countries.
Additional Trade Shows
