In June, unions in Chicago, Illinois struck a deal making it easier for trade shows to come to the Windy City. Since then, industry professionals knew they'd see an increase in expos and conventions. Now, months later, it appears to be already making a difference.

Attendance at Chicago's most popular trade fair, according to the Chicago Tribune, is up 4.4 percent from 2010. "The biennial International Manufacturing Technology Show, historically the city's largest trade show, is seeing a boost in attendance as it opened at McCormick Place Monday morning," the newspaper reports.

By Saturday, the last day of the event, attendance could break 100,000. Participation hasn't been that high since 1996.

According to the convention website, "Manufacturing industry professionals from all over the world attend IMTS to see more than 15,000 new machine tools, controls, computers, software, components, systems and processes that can improve their efficiency." Companies show off their products and services and likely handout technology trade show promos, as well.

Peter Eelman, an executive at the Association for Manufacturing Technology, the International Manufacturing Technology Show's sponsor, told the Chicago Tribune that the growth can at least in part be attributed to improvement in the manufacturing sector. "...We feel like there is pent-up demand that maybe is even waiting for this show to see what's new," Eelman said.

Every day, digital content replaces more and more forms of print content.  It's become obvious that business which rely on the medium, like ad agencies and publishers, need to begin to effectively blend the worlds of social, digital and print media.  Upcoming tradeshow ON DEMAND seeks to help companies navigate "The Business of Content" and to use emerging technologies in a profitable way.

According to Wendy Loew, Group Show Director for Questex Media Group, ON DEMAND's sponsor, "Change is occurring rapidly and many businesses are struggling not only to keep up with all of the emerging technologies, but to understand how to apply them and make them profitable. ON DEMAND puts the focus squarely on the business of content and will expose attendees to a number of options to create it, distribute it and manage it effectively."

ON DEMAND will take place June 13-14 at New York's Javits Center.  Those attending will have access to expansive educational seminars, technology-focused exhibits, and technology trade show promos.  Four specialized tents will focus on cross-media technology, digital workflow, mailing and fulfillment, and social, mobile and local (SoMoLo).

Register today for admittance to two additional trade shows:  Info360 and SoMoLo@NY.  According to ON DEMAND's website, "At the intersection of all 3 events, attendees will gain actionable insight to enhance the bottom line with smart, cost-effective and practical IT solutions representing the intersection of marketing behavior, information technology and culture in a demanding and fast-moving marketplace."