People often think of makeup as something only girly-girls wear.  They think "makeup" and beauty promotional items like fake eyelashes, mascaras, and compact mirrors come to mind.  But makeup can be used for so much more like creating wonderful creatures and stunning effects.

That's why the International Makeup Trade Show (IMATS) brings in so many makeup enthusiasts each year.  And this year's Los Angeles event was a "sold-out success."

Exhibitors included big names like Urban Decay and MAC, which certainly helped to draw in the crowds.  Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics won makeup lovers over with its line of vegan products.

But an awards show for YouTube's Beauty Vlogger of the Year, hosted by the infamous Perez Hilton, may have been the biggest crowd-pleaser. "It was a really positive event. Competition is healthy—it keeps you striving, learning and trying to improve," Director of Education for Macadamia Natural Oil Michael Cain told Salon Today.

A deal struck earlier this week between the unions at McCormick Place and Navy Pier, two Chicago locations, will make it easier for trade shows to come to the windy city.

As of Tuesday, three trade shows, including a comics show and a book expo, have already committed to come through McCormick Place.  This is big news considering trade shows had almost completely backed out of Chicago all together.

"They had abandoned Chicago, basically, because they weren't getting the product they needed or the services they needed here," Jim Reilly, chief executive of the firm that owns McCormick Place and Navy Pier, told the Chicago Tribune.

The new agreement will allow for big clients like Microsoft to organize corporate gatherings in Chicago.  The Chicago Tribune explains: "...the labor break-through -- allowing stagehands, rather than show-floor electricians, to do audio-visual production work for presentations held outside the exhibit area -- should open the door to potential mega-clients..."

Hopefully the new work-rule will help bring in new business to Chicago soon!

You can staff your trade show booth with your finest employees and distribute the best trade show giveaways, but if your display is awful nobody will visit you.  That's why American Image Displays has been providing trade show displays for more than 25 years, specializing in everything from table tops to accessories.

American Image Displays announced today that to help your brand get noticed over the next few months, it's launched a summer sale.  Products like the Xpressions Lightbox and the Connex Xpressions Snap display will wow your target audience and get them over to your booth.

Most exciting are American Image Displays' new trade show kiosks which are designed to hold iPads safely and securely throughout the show.  This makes it easier to showcase product demos and videos.  What an awesome way to incorporate current technology!

Check out www.American-Image.com for more exciting, new products.

According to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), the trade show industry is showing seven straight quarters of positive growth. The first quarter of 2012 shows a 2.7 percent increase from the first quarter of 2011.

CEIR tracks four key metrics:

• Attendance
• Net Square Footage
• Number of Exhibitors
• Real Revenues

All four areas are showing positive trends, but attendance led the way with a 4.6 percent growth. Net square footage was not far behind with a 3.4 percent increase, and both number of exhibitors and real revenues saw a 1.5 percent increase.

It is good to see the trade show industry back on the rise and truly speaks to how effective trade show giveaways and face-to-face interactions really are to businesses.

The average salary of a Day Spa owner is anywhere between $50,000 and $120,000+. Knowing this, you can expect that the industry is a booming one and is sure to only grow as the travel industry does. 

That's why the Spa & Resort Medical Aeshetics Exposition, taking place in just over one week at the Jacob Javits Center in New York, is certainly one to attend if you belong to that industry or interested in learning more about this powerful industry.

Specializing in the advancement of technology, procedures and treatments involving spa, medical aesthetics and wellness, this event uses educational sessions, workshops and live demonstrations to showcase the strides the industry is making. 

This year's expo is no exception, with a vast array of companies that will better you and that 70% of all attendees will gladly purchase. Companies such as Christina Cosmeceuticals, Slim Lite, American Express and National Laser Institute will be there to help better your business or even give you great ideas and suggestions for treatments.

Be sure to bring your custom imprinted business card case and get lots of names to network. 

Today was the first day of Computex, the annual information technology show that takes place in Taipei, Taiwan.  First held in 1981, Computex has become one of the most expansive computer and technology shows in the world.  And this year's event is no exception; from ultrabooks to Windows 8, if it's important in the world of computers, it's at Computex. 

According to Computex's official website, the show attracts over 36,000 international buyers each year.  Almost 2,000 exhibitors manning more than 5,000 booths vie for attendees' attention with promotional information technology products, latest technologies, and popular trends.

Mashable reports that some of the most stand-out products at this year's Computex are tablets; for example, Intel alone announced that "at least 20 more Intel-powered Windows 8 tablets are coming this year."  Windows 8 will be officially released later this year and will surely shake up the tablet market.

"Natural interaction" ultrabooks are also all the rage.  According to PC World, Intel asserts that ultrabooks are the "next big thing" -- look out for products "equipped with voice recognition, face tracking and touch features."  The development of screens, sensors and other technologies will allow for this "natural interaction" going forward.

Computex will continue through Saturday, June 9, and many more hot, new products are expected to be unveiled.  Is there any product or technology you're most looking forward to?

Go away for a weekend and you'll find yourself staying at a hotel or motel and going to several restaurants for your meals. So once the vacation is done and over, how do you remember the hotel or the restaurant you visited?

Promotional products. 

According to eHow, promotional products is one of the most powerful and effective ways to expand your name. In hotels, you'll see this on bathrobes, shampoo bottles, hand lotion bottles and even the occasional pair of bathrobe slippers. In restaurants, you'll find after-dinner chocolates, after-dinner mints, business cards and matchbooks adorning the restaurant's name and information. Over the course of one weekend, you'll probably go home with something like the items listed above.

The International Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Show is an opportunity to meet other people from your industry and to those who cater to making your industry optimal. This is a chance to see what new promotional giveaways are available and what can help promote your name and likeness.

Although the show takes place in November at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City (November 10-13) use this time to register, book a flight/hotel and to prepare for networking. By doing so, you'll be sure to gain awareness of your brand in time for 2013. 

I know what you're thinking:  Summer's only just begun, why are we talking about autumn already?  But bear with me; you'll thank me later!

On October 17, 2012 in New York City's Javits Center, one of the Northeast's biggest business conferences will commence.  The New York Business Expo & Conference, aka the NY XPO, "is where the most profitable companies come to make decisions about their corporate growth."  The trade show, which caters to small and mid-sized businesses, is made up of five main components:  education, networking, meeting opportunities, comprehensive marketing campaigns, and attendees.

The two-day event will undoubtedly prove profitable for your business.  The goal is to help small and mid-sized organizations grow!

If you're looking to exhibit, click here.  Those expected to attend include government agencies, like-minded businesses, entrepreneurs, national media, and more.  Mark your promotional calendar today; this is one trade fair you don't want to miss!