Are you desperate to get into the limelight but too nervous to up and leave for Hollywood? Or maybe you're a talent agent looking for the next Zooey Deschanel.

If you want to see your name in lights, the Showbiz Expo is the place to start. Located in the talent capital of the world (New York City) this expo will feature some of the most cutting edge in products and services for showbusiness. What makes this a great show to attend is that there will be guest speakers from the professions you are passionate about, technology showcases, an online job database and even a film festival. This tradeshow is the best place to network so be sure to have plenty of custom imprinted business card magnets on hand and a large custom imprinted business card holder.

Vendors will love the 10,000 attendees expected to show up for the tradeshow and the modest prices for a tradeshow booth. Just be sure your custom imprinted tradeshow items are in order, bring some custom imprinted pens, promotional magnets or custom imprinted t-shirts and sponsor one of the many areas of the tradeshow and you'll have a guaranteed success at the Showbiz Expo.

Believe it or not, there are a great variety of smartphone applications out there designed specifically for trade shows. These interesting apps allow vendors to better connect with attendees and ease the process of doing business. Thanks to technology, no one has to go into a trade show blind. In fact, Motivators has compiled a list of mobile apps that we think are most helpful to both exhibitors and their potential customers:

FollowMe - Downloaded directly into your phone, the FollowMe app requires no signal or internet connection, making it ideal for pre-show planning. The mobile app reveals trade show schedules, interactive floor maps and brochures. It allows attendees to link to each others' schedules and download exhibitors' information for a paperless experience. This is also to the exhibitor's advantage because the material is less likely to be lost or misplaced. In addition exhibitors can promote what's happening at their booths - special guests, trade show giveaways, awards, new products - with tools like banner ads and coupon ads. FollowMe is managed by the trade show organizer and uses a revenue sharing model.

Pathable - Pathable allows you to network at trade shows and conferences. With interest-based discussion groups, attendee directories, recommendation systems and personalized conference calendars, attendees can better connect to others who share their interests and goals. Exhibitors also benefit with registration service integration, company profile pages, print-ready badges and attendee reports. In addition, attendees can book meetings online through customized virtual trade show booths set up by exhibitors. This app incorporates your social media network - Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook - into the experience as well so you can find out if anyone you know will be at the trade show.

Snipp - This text messaging app allows information to be sent from exhibitors to attendees by texting the ID code. It's an offline medium for interactive ads. You can even track the effectiveness of generating customer leads and driving traffic to your booth. Attendees also benefit with the ability to store snippets of information on their phones and via email to keep things organized. Snipp eliminates the need to write things down or memorize information. This mobile app is priced on a performance basis.

As technology continues to advance, more and more trade show apps will come out of the woodwork. Stay up-to-date with the latest innovations for marketing your brand here at The Trade Shows Blog.

Most people know that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Each year, the month-long event serves as a way to spread awareness about early detection and self-testing for the disease.  But it's important that information about breast cancer prevention is shared beyond the month of October.  One upcoming event that helps to stress the importance of strides in breast cancer research is the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS).

SABCS, an annual event, is scheduled for December 6 - 10, 2011.  According to the conference's Web site, it's "An international scientific symposium for interaction and exchange among basic scientists and clinicians in breast cancer."  Scientists and exhibitors gather each year at the convention to discuss and present the latest information regarding breast cancer research, as well as "engrossing discussion for basic, translational and clinical cancer research professionals."  The conference is sponsored by the Cancer Therapy & Research Center at UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, the American Association for Cancer Research, and the Bavlor College of Medicine.

Those planning to attend the important event are encouraged to either sponsor or exhibit.  Exhibitors will show off top-notch products and services, ranging from genetic testing to medical equipment.  If you're looking to support SABCS and pitch your technology, there are breast cancer awareness giveaways that will help draw attention from leading decision makers and professionals within the areas of breast cancer research and treatment. 

SABCS presents a rare opportunity to share your medication, product, or service to highly influential medical professionals.  Your support could change lives forever.

Solar Power International is the biggest B2B solar event in North America. This year's conference and exhibition takes place in Dallas, Texas from October 17th to the 20th. The leaders in the solar power industry will gather to discuss the newest innovations in solar power, explore your products and learn about your solar power services.

The following professionals from the solar industry will be in attendance:

• Architects
• Builders and Developers
• Distributors
• Engineering Firms
• Entrepreneurs
• Government Representatives and Policymakers
• Installers and Contractors
• Investors and Financiers
• Manufacturers
• Utilities

With both indoor and outdoor exhibit space available, there is plenty of opportunity to reach your target market. Order your energy-friendly promotional products now to get the perfect giveaways in time for the exhibition. Contact Shane Poblete at spoblete@solarenergytradeshows.com or 202-595-1149 for details and to reserve your exhibit space.

Are you passionate about horticulture, going green, plant nurseries, and gardening? Then you must be looking forward to the 2012 Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS).  The beloved event, which is commonly known as 'The Masterpiece of Trade Shows,' was founded in the early 1970s.  Since then, it's only grown in popularity.

MANTS:  A History

The first MANTS event was held in Williamsburg, VA in 1971.  In the years following, MANTS would be held at several different venues throughout the Mid-Atlantic, from The Greenbrier in West Virginia to the Hunt Valley Inn in Maryland.  According to MANTS' Web site, in 1981 the event was held for the first time at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland due to its "consistent growth in size, popularity and attendance."  The Baltimore Convention Center has continued to serve as the venue of choice for MANTS.

MANTS Today

According to the trade show's Web site, the event is now in its fourth decade.  The upcoming event, scheduled for Tuesday, January 10 - Friday, January 13, is "the premier, private green industry marketplace for finding plants and nursery stock, landscape and garden items, heavy and light duty equipment, tools, furniture and hundreds of other allied industry products."  Exhibitors, attendees, buyers, shoppers, and browsers all look forward to the annual event, which will be attended by big-name nurseries and garden solution companies.

Be Prepared

With one look at MANTS' giant list of exhibitors, it becomes clear that attendees will have to stand out to compete.  That's why stocking up on the right trade show giveaways before the show is important.  One item that is sure to be a resounding success at the 2012 MANTS is the promotional plant-a-tree card.  Considering the show's plant-loving audience, this handout will undoubtedly be a crowd favorite. 

Are you embarassed about having company over? Do you use paper plates too often? Or perhaps you need an inexpensive way to spruce up your house.

The New York Tabletop Market is a tradeshow happening in New York from October 25-October 28 and has everything you can imagine for the tabletop in your kitchen or dining room. The website states that it has custom imprinted barware, promotional stemware, custom imprinted kitchen & home gift set, and other promotional products. The purpose of the tradeshow is to bring the latest in designs at affordable prices.

If you need to buy some early gifts for the Holidays or you need promotional Kitchen & Home items, then this is a phenomenal tradeshow to attend.

It can sometimes to be difficult to stay up-to-date on upcoming events in the healthcare industry, so Motivators has compiled some information about October healthcare trade shows to make things a little easier and help you be prepared.

1) American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Convention & Exhibit

   10/1/11 - 10/6/11
   Salt Palace Convention Center
   100 S. West Temple
   Salt Lake City, UT 84101
   801-534-4777

Rental Rates: $2,400 per 10x10 booth
                    $250 per corner premium
                    $1,500 island premium

The AHIMA is holding their 83rd annual convention and exhibit to draw health information management (HIM) professionals. As an exhibitor, your company would gain direct exposure to these key decision-makers. This convention is the world's premier HIM annual event expected to bring in more than 4,000 people in your target audience.

2) Rock 'n' Roll San Jose Half Marathon: Health & Fitness Expo

   10/2/11 (exhibit occurs prior to event)
   Sane Jose McEnery Convention Center
   150 W. San Carlos St.
   Sane Jose, CA 95110
   gbarnett@competitorgroup.com

Rental Rates: $1,500 per 10x10 booth
                    $1,900 per 10x10 corner
                    $3,000 per 10x20 booth
                    $3,400 per 10x20 corner
                    $6,600 per 20x20 booth

The San Jose half marathon event will be held on October 2, 2011, but this event features a two-day Health & Fitness Expo presented by Power Balance prior to it. In addition to the expo being free and open to the publicit is also where all participants must pick up their race packets.

3) National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Annual Convention & Trade Exposition

   10/8/11 - 10/12/11
   Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center
   2800 Opryland Dr.
   Nashville, TN 37214

Rental Rates: $4,500 (corporate member) / $6,000 (non-member) per 10x10 booth
                    $9,000 / $12,000 per 10x20 booth
                    $13,500 / $18,000 per 10x30 booth
                    $18,400 / $24,400 per 20x20 island
                    $27,400 / $36,400 per 20x30 island
                    $36,400 / $48,400 per 20x40 island
                    $40,900 / $54,400 per 30x30 island
                    Corner = $100 extra charge

The NCPA's 113th Annual Convention & Trade Exposition brings you face-to-face with independent pharmacy owners and powerful decision-makers. Studies show that patients accept the products recommended by such pharmacists 90% of the time. This expo provides the opportunity for you to demonstrate your product's value, introduce new products and broaden your products' reach.

Search Motivators for the perfect health fair giveaways to draw your target audience into your booth for the best results.

If you need a reason to let your inner child out, there is no better place than the New York Comic Con. This convention is happening at the Jacob Javits Center from October 13-16 and will include various activities, panels, and vendors of comics, graphic novels, video games, toys, anime, movies and television. 

There are hundreds of vendors who will be selling promotional items such as promotional t-shirts, custom imprinted mugs, customized totes and other phenomenal promotional products by famous and up-and-coming artists. There will also be dozens of panels featuring some heavy-hitters of pop-culture like Mark Hamill and Kevin Smith. These are great ways to have your promotional products autographed.

For more information about New York Comic Con, visit the website below.

Love cooking and all things kitchen? Then get ready for the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show (MCES), slated for November 5 and 6 in Washington, D.C.  This year's event will feature presentations by celebrity chefs Paula Deen, Guy Fieri, and Giada De Laurentiis, among others. The star-studded trade show is making its way to the District of Columbia for a sixth consecutive year, and will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

In addition to appearances by well-known cooks, the MCES will feature dozens of exhibitors, from Tupperware to Agave Dream Ice Cream.  Exhibitors will have a chance to sell their products face-to-face to consumers, making it a great opportunity for brand exposure. "Exhibiting at the Show is a great experience all the way around," said Holly Di Maura, owner of Holly's Oatmeal. "The staff is so supportive, pays attention to detail and gives a personal touch to everything. And they bring in attendees who are there to buy, which has been essential in helping us build our brand in the marketplace."

Interested individuals are encouraged to sign up at MCES's Web site for updates on events, sales, and to enter to win promotional cookbooks and other fun custom printed home items.  If you're not looking to exhibit, and instead interested in shopping, take a look at the ticket assistant guide to determine which ticket is right for you.

H.H. Backer Assocites' 45th Annual Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show and Educational Conference is quickly approaching. This year it is being held in Rosemont, IL at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. The trade show begins October 14th and lasts through the 16th. Located in the exciting Chicago area, it is expected to have a huge turnout of close to 9,000 buyers.

This conference is the perfect opportunity for generating sales leads, networking and order-writing. With a huge variety of new and innovative products as well as exclusive show specials and potential contacts, the Backer show allows businesses large and small to build brand awareness with promotional pet products that target their specific audience. According to Backer, an average of 15% of their 9,000 buyers attending the show each year are there for the first time, which means there is a huge opportunity for obtaining new customers as well as getting valuable face-time with existing ones.

The target audience includes: boarding kennel operators, pet store owners, managers, distributors, grooming professionals, specialty gift store owners and mail-order catalog companies.

While most exhibit spots have already been reserved, there are still a few vacancies. In addition, the show offers sponsorship options as well. Exhibit setup and move-in begins as early as October 12th, so be sure to reserve your spot and order your promotional pet products in time. Be prepared with giveaways your potential new customers will love; check out the great selection of promotional pet products from Motivators to find just what you need to make the Backer Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show a success!