If you're involved with music to any extent -- whether you're an artist, a producer, or just a music-lover -- you've got to make it to Atlanta, Georgia for the Music Makers Trade Show & Conference, which is scheduled for September 1 - 2. The groundbreaking event will take place at the World Congress Center.

The goal of the trade show, according to creator Perri Farmer, is to "provide a platform for independent artists to be seen and heard; allow the diverse facets of the music industry to network and connect; and introduce the latest in technology. Music Makers will bring the music world together in one venue."

It's an incredible idea, and attendees are excited to discover new musical talent.  Plus, some of today's hottest acts will take the stage throughout the two-day event, as well.

Perhaps most importantly, those hoping to break out into the music scene will have an opportunity to learn.  And as we all know, when it comes to the music industry, there's a lot to study.  According to the event's Web site,

Representatives from major record labels will be on-hand to share their knowledge. Educational "How To" seminars relative to composing, publishing, and branding yourself in the music world will be conducted. Top entertainment lawyers will lead roundtable discussions regarding the legal aspects of the music business.

Promoters, DJs, producers, and other influential individuals will be handing out music industry promo items at trade booths, giving each attendee the opportunity to "be one of the first to experience the latest in cutting-edge equipment and products."

If you're an artist who's ready to be seen and heard, mark the Music Makers Trade Show & Conference on your calendar today!

If you've been to your local mall at least once in the last decade, you've seen that there are more businesses sprouting. While it is true that malls all over the country have been expanding in size, it is because of temporary stores, kiosks and turnkey operations. Kiosks alone are an industry comprised of bright, intelligent minds in an industry that is raking millions of dollars a year. 

Have you always had an idea for a business but simply don't have the money to purchase property and build from there? Consider attending SPREE 2012.

SPREE 2012, which takes place in Las Vegas this year, is a tradeshow that brings together people of all walks of life who are interested in increasing or starting this type of business. People who currently own/are interested in owning kiosks, mall managers and business managers are typically the demographics that attend the annual festival. They meet with exhibitors of all walks of life (turnkey company operators, property managers/developers, manufacturers and wholesalers) who are willing to help and answer questions. 

Need a way for an exhibitor to remember you? Or are you an exhibitor hoping your clients do not accidentally throw out your business card? Consider visiting our Tradeshow Giveaway page. This page helps you categorize our promotional products by industry, item category or even price. A promotional keychain with your name or logo sticks out more than you know. 

I couldn't be more excited about the fact that natural products are in again.  Gone are the days when mystery ingredients and fake sugars dominated store shelves.  The trend that's entering the natural products world?  "What's old is new again."

That's according to one reporter for the Miami Herald after attending the increasingly popular Natural Products Expo in Anaheim, California.

What were most popular at this year's show, which ran from March 8 - March 11, 2012, were foods and products your grandparents would remember.  Products on display ranged from organic promotional products produced by local farmers to natural sunscreen.

One stand-out item was Broo Craft Beer Shampoo.  That's right; one exhibitor showed off a natural shampoo that's made from not much more than a standard six pack.  The Miami Herald reports that the product was inspired by "women in the 1960s, including Jackie Kennedy, [who] rinsed their hair with beer."  It will be available in select Whole Foods stores this April.

Typically, when referring to Austin festival South by Southwest (SXSW) we refer to its prestigious film festival or the up-and-coming bands expected to grace the many stages in Austin. But the impact of this year's festival may stretch further than just film and music.

As reported by Michelle Bruno on the Tradeshow News Network website, South by Southwest is being opposed by a renegade group called the Badgeless. The Badgeless is a group of social media users who refused to pay the price of the SXSW festival. This group, rather than seeing the official films, concerts and keynote speeches of the SXSW festival, put the element of gathering together at top priority. As described by Michelle Bruno, "Badgeless participants didn't get to see the Al Gore or Ray Kurzweil keynotes...but they did get a lot of free tacos and beer and themselves, which is apparently the main attraction for them."

So how might it affect other tradeshows? It is possible that other festivals known for exclusivity or steep pricing could be outpaced by the spread of social media groups. The result could continue to wear at waning participation and pull tradeshow veterans away from the original tradeshow.

Organizers seemed not to be threatened by the Badgeless, acknowledging the group and explaining how each year of the festival has been more successful than the last. With over two decades of success, it'll be some time until the Badgeless can cause a reasonable dent in the participation.

Did you know that the British Bridal Exhibition is not only the biggest show in the United Kingdom, but the largest bridal tradeshow on Earth? And the 2012 show, which began on Sunday, March 11, was no exception to that tradition; it brought in buyers from around the world.

So it should come as no surprise that if you want to work within the bridal industry, you've got to attend.  Stacy Lock of The Earrings Boutique told Harrogate-News that the British Bridal Exhibition "is the main Bridal Show and it is just so important to have a presence. If you want to be in Bridal then this is the place to be."

The show, which took place at the Harrogate International Centre in Harrogate, England, played host to exhibitors from the US, models from across Europe and buyers from all over the world.  According to Wetherby News, "Collections of bridalwear [and] formal menswear," as well as promotional personal accessories, were on display.

Last week, more than 3,000 researchers, educators and entrepreneurs met near Washington D.C. to discuss the future of alternative energy at the Energy Innovation Summit.  Upwards of 300 exhibitors, comprising companies, universities, and more, unveiled unique and innovative technologies that will shape the way we create power in the coming years.

The Energy Innovation Summit, which was sponsored by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) took place February 27 - 29, 2012, and featured keynotes by prominent figures such as former President Bill Clinton and Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates.  But most intriguing for members of the scientific community were the technologies and products on display.

According to PhysOrg.com, one of the "remarkable" technologies showcased was presented by Sheetak, a Texas-based company.  The innovation offers a new way to cooling that "fits the transformed workings of a compressor onto a circuitry board the size of a credit card."

Other energy friendly promotional products on display included algae that can create fuel and an extra-large capacity lithium-ion battery for powering hybrid cars.