For our industry, there is nothing better than the month of May. It isn't because of the lengthy Memorial Day Weekend or the exceptional weather. (although they also factor into it) Our big industry-wide trade show hits New York City and most of us get a chance to duck out of work to attend. See what Brandon had to say on it here.

Although not for another few days, I have spent my time (at work and at home) preparing for the 2 days of non-stop networking and marketing potentials. Here's just some of what I have done so far. Be sure to read carefully - it could come in handy for any trade shows you may have coming up.

1. Take Notes
Our ASI show gives us a chance to see new and trending product. I examine hundreds of products every time I go and choose the best ones to add to our website later on. Although we are often supplied a notebook and pen during the sign-in process, I find them to be too bulky to make quick notes. Instead, I use something similar to the Leeds Recycled Paper Jotter. This product is less than 3" x 3" and fits easily in my back pocket. In a matter of seconds, I can take out the pad, jot notes and put it back without any struggle.

2. Consider Using A Pen/Stylus
Complimenting piece of advice #1, I am bringing with me a miniature stylus/pen combo. Since getting it, I found that I can leave it concealed in my pocket and create notes very quickly - whether on a pad or on your tablet/smartphone. This also allows quick and easy switches between the old and new forms of note-taking.

3. Clean Yourself Up
Although it doesn't show now (I have a heavy 5 O'Clock Shadow going on) looking presentable at trade shows is a must. I will be ironing/washing my uniform beforehand and bringing mints/gum. As always, I will be doing my daily morning-time routine. (shower, brush teeth, etc.) Without all this, you'll be notorious for all the wrong reasons.

4. Read Your E-Mail
Since last week, I've noticed my Inbox at work filling up with requests to visit certain booths. Some promise for new products and opportunities to network while others create incentives (contests, giveaways, etc.) to bring you in. No matter what, research these companies/individuals. It gives you a chance to learn about what is being offered by the business/organization and can even help in creating a game-plan ahead of time.

5. Rest
Ignore the famous idiom "There's No Rest For The Weary" and take a few minute rest. Doing too much can cause you to crash and become far less resilient the next day or even during the latter end of that same day. A quick rest can allow you to organize some of your notes/business cards and even an opportunity to chew the fat with other potential clients/customers informally.

6. Keep Business Cards Safe
I had a problem last year where I didn't have a proper place for business cards. As a result, there were business cards that became so lost or unkept, that they showed up months after the trade show ended. This year, I will be removing my credit cards/business cards/discount cards from my wallet. This gives me ample business card space in something I am sure to check sooner than the bottom of a bag or the inside of a notebook. 

Preparation is key for a successful trade show run. Be sure to plan ahead, use the above advice and always think on your feet. Feel free to post your advice in our comments section.

It's been called a "fancy science fair," but the Intel-sponsored Science Talent Search is actually a lot more like a science trade show.

According to Extreme Tech, seven of the 70-year-old event's participants have won the Nobel Prize and 11 took home MacArthur Foundation Genius grants. Now that's impressive.

This year's winner of Science Talent Search's $100,000, four-year scholarship is Sara Volz, who researched whether or not algae can be used as a cost-effective biofuel. Volz was able to pinpoint which organisms create the most fuel, and kill off algae that didn't perform as well. "The end result of her project is a process that can produce algae-based biofuel more efficiently, and if anything, stands as something of a proof-of-concept for commercially viable biofuel," Extreme Tech reports.

What Ms. Volz accomplished is nothing short of amazing. Congratulations on your eco-friendly discovery!

Last week was an exciting time for those who support mainstream and underground arts. Whether your life revolves around music, film, technology, pop-culture or a variation of all the above, SXSW is an exciting time to discover something new and rediscover something classic. See what Brandon had to say about this year's South by Southwest Festival here. 

Every year around the beginning of March, I receive personalized e-mails from friends and acquaintances across the country inviting me to catch up and meet at a conference, concert or film premier. It is sometimes a project someone is associated with but often times it is just an event the invitee will be attending and a chance to connect again. Companies, consider definitely taking a page out of this book and be more personable with meeting your clients.

This post has more to do with two of the east coast's answers to SXSW.

Then first, appropriately called North by Northeast (NXNE) is a week long festival of music, film and much more in Toronto, Canada. Although NXNE does not have the prominence that SXSW has, it has everything that is offered - great new and famous forms of art with a unique place for visual arts, gallery art, art spaces and even comedies. I have worked with the NXNE festival and planning team before and I can tell you from first-hand experience that there is plenty of opportunity to network with bright and creative minds. 

Can't make it to Canada? College Music Journal hosts a week long festival on the streets of one of the largest year-round Meccas for entertainment - New York City. The CMJ Music Marathon is more than just tunes and musicians - it includes debut films at famed Tribeca film theatres, special events at bars and restaurants throughout the city, seminars at NYU (and others) and much more. My last year attending CMJ Marathon was in 2008 and included such events as the national premier for Zach and Miri Make A Porno, an intimate in-studio performance sitting with Broken Social Scene, a small Crystal Castles concert at Webster Hall and a meet-and-greet opportunity with Donovan Frankenreiter just to name a few.

Didn't get a chance to find great talent for your business or find the new best thing in music or film? NXNE takes place June 10-16 and offers something very unique: huge student discounts (over 50% off standard badge prices) and single day bracelets for those who want to experience what is offered without breaking the bank. Details are forthcoming but the initial music lineup includes The National, Buke & Gass, Flag, Mickey Avalon, Joey Bada$$ and much more. College Music Journal's Music Marathon takes place later in the year from October 15-19 and is currently taking submissions for artists, films and art along with other business opportunities. Stay tuned to this website for more details. Both of these will have plenty of opportunities for promotional product hand-outs and informal meetings with industry elite.

We are all very familiar with the notoriously hedonistic lifestyle that takes over once visiting Las Vegas. Last year alone, over 38,000,000 people came to Las Vegas for a taste of the glitz, glamour and gambling that is almost commonplace in this Western city.

But for those in the business industry, you may start to see a new, interesting ad slogan: "Vegas means Business."

A far cry from "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," "Vegas means Business" is an invite for businesses to host or attend trade shows, business meetings and retreats. An advertisement on the Trade Show News Network homepage, when clicked, expands to a website with planning tools for business trips and details about the many locales designed for trade shows.

Las Vegas seems like the perfect place to attend a trade show or business meeting. Not only are the venues large and updated but there is plenty to do once the meeting or trade show is over. Be sure to have a flashy promotional giveaway on-hand when visiting.

Just one month ago, America, and indeed the world, wept as news of a deadly shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut made headlines. Twenty children and 6 adults were fatally shot, bringing the issue of gun control back into the national debate.

But as the president prepares to propose a new national gun plan, firearm-enthusiasts are meeting in Las Vegas for one of the gun industry's biggest trade show: the SHOT (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade) Show. According to The Guardian, The SHOT Show will host more than 1,500 gun vendors, "displaying some of the most powerful weaponry available for purchase."

To make matters worse, the trade show, which is scheduled for Jan. 15 - 18 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, is sponsored by a Newtown-based gun industry group, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). The Guardian reports that NSSF's headquarters are located a mere three miles from Sandy Hook Elementary School.

The SHOT show, which is not open to the general public, is not allowing media coverage at this year's event. Some argue that NSSF wants to keep Americans in the dark when it comes to today's firearms business. "The public doesn't understand that with just a credit card and a good record, anybody can build an army in modern America," said Josh Sugarmann of the Violence Policy Center, a gun-control group.

What do you think? Should the SHOT Show have been canceled or rescheduled?

Do you find that most of your time online is on mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets? You may find that the convenience of the Web at your fingertips is beneficial but keeping up with your favorite webpages could have a little bit of a damper. We have great news though.

The Trade Show News Network, a primary source for our Trade Show news and updates, is proud to announce a partnership with a2z Inc. This partnership with the leading provider of web-based event management tools means the coming year will be easier to organize your calendar and your life around the important tradeshows surrounding your area and your industry.

We will continue to give you news about trade shows and events throughout the United States so be sure to add The Trade Show Blog and Motivators.com to your list of homepages on your devices. 

Some people will never know how a trade show works until they attend or exhibit at one. But the students in Laura Spey and Diane Gesacion's fifth-grade class at Poland McKinley Elementary School will always be prepared thanks to an in-school trade show they held for their parents.

According to Poland Neighbors -- a Poland, Ohio online newspaper -- the fifth graders built their own products and put them on display for parents last month in order to learn how advertising works. "The kids had to learn all about advertising techniques, such as propaganda and band-wagon, prior to the show," Gesacion said.

Using that knowledge, the Poland McKinley students were asked to promote their creations in a tradeshow. It's a tradition that Poland McKinely has celebrated for almost 10 years now.

Students even handed out trade show giveaways as incentive for parents to visit their stands!

What do you think about Poland McKinley's fifth-grade trade show? Is it a smart way to prepare kids for the real world?

The Trade Show Blog loves to talk about events at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, mostly because of its eclectic variety in events and its proximity from its Westbury corporate office.

Sadly, this post is not so much about an event that is happening but an event that was supposed to happen and will be scheduled for a later time.

The ISC East, a security industry tradeshow that was supposed to take place at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City tomorrow and Halloween has been postponed until further notice. This is because of the State of Emergency issued by both the state of New Jersey and New York for Hurricane Sandy. Public Transportation will not be running and the storm is said to be detrimental to the safety of those who don't find shelter. Because of this, the trade show will be postponed to another time to be determined.

The tradeshow was to have sessions, plenty of booth-space from vendors and conferences regarding the industry.

For more information, be sure to visit the ISC East website. 

With the Holidays creeping up slowly, many are already thinking of what to get their loved ones for seasonal gifts.

So while many children are looking for modern gifts such as tablets, video games and electronics, others are looking for vintage. 

So where do you go for the best in vintage toys? Head East to the Greenberg's Train and Toy Show. Taking place in the Monroeville, PA at the Convention Center, (November 10-11) this tradeshow is an opportunity for children of all ages. It is deemed the "largest train and toy show in the Northeast" and gives the public an opportunity to see some new and old gifts in the hobby industry. Best of all, children under 12 are allowed in free while those over 13 are only $7. (and one ticket allows you in either day) That way, you can spend your money on gifts for the Holidays. (or for yourself)

Are you a hobby store? Want to get your name out there? Consider custom imprinted magnet business cards or even custom imprinted vehicles. That way, your name can forever be on a model town or two.

Many of the different trade shows we mention on the Trade Shows Blog don't need our help in getting people to walk through the door. The truth is that if you have a fun/entertaining spin on your industry trade show in a major city, you'll find that people would be willing to do whatever it takes to get there.

But if your trade show isn't much of a success, how do you get people to show up? And if it is already successful, how do you bring more people through the door?

As mentioned almost one month ago, the New York Comic Book Convention and Anime Festival will be opening its doors in just over one week. Since last year's festival brought in over 105,000 people, the trade show tends to not hurt too badly. But how to bring more people in and raise revenue?

The answer is simple: open the doors earlier. The folks at New York Comic Con are opening their doors at 7:00am each day to give early-risers a chance to see the inside of the Javits center and to get advanced tickets for autograph signings and much-desired photo opportunities. With all those scrambling to get spots on a line for later on in the day, opening hours earlier gives people a chance to explore the premises and get some shopping on. 

The idea can work with any type of industry. If your trade show is having a celebrity come in, consider signing a deal for him/her to do autograph signings. If your trade show is filled with experts, consider holding private Q&A meetings with experts before the doors open to the general public. It'll create more buzz for the trade show or convention while increasing revenue from vendors in-house. 

Vendors and companies that co-host a celebrity or expert can create promotional pens informing fans and industry members to go to a booth later in the day.