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.

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?

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!

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."

For 24 years, the Hauppauge Industrial Association Long Island (HIA-LI) has held its annual Business Trade Show and Conference. And this year, the show expects a record number of attendees looking for business-to-business (B2B) information and education.

According to the HAI-LI's website, its 24th Annual Business Trade Show & Conference will take place Thursday, May 24, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Suffolk County Community College Sports & Exhibition Complex in Brentwood, New York.  Those attending can expect a bustling trade show floor and complimentary business seminars.

The organization is looking forward to the more than 4,500 attendees and almost 400 exhibitors expected to attend.  Its website asserts that the event is a great way to "Meet thousands of potential customers and develop new business relationships."  It looks like a promising event for Long Island businesses to show off their best trade show giveaways!

For more information, take a look at highlights from last year's show:

Are you attending the trade show this year?

CTIA WIRELESS, a trade show dedicated to "all things mobile," kicked off its New Orleans, Louisiana conference this morning with a variety of speakers from the Federal Communications Commission, MasterCard, Pandora and Cellcom.  And as the day's events progressed, it became clear what people are interested in:  spectrum and data growth.

Spectrum, according to the New York Times, is made up of "the government-rationed radio waves that carry voice calls and wireless data."  The industry asserts that it needs more spectrum in order to keep up with the high demand from consumers.  President of CTIA, Steve Largent, touched on spectrum in his keynote address: "We simply need more spectrum in a marketplace with more consumer demand," he said. "More spectrum means more opportunity for you."

Representatives from Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile USA agree, according to the Wall Street Journal: "...the future of data use, such as streaming video and photos, is at risk if more airwaves, or spectrum, aren’t put to use," they say.  Even the largest carrier could be maxed out in some areas by as early as 2013.

But others propose a different strategy.  FCC chairman Julius Genachowski asserts that small cell technology is the way to go.  Small cells, also referred to as femtocells, can expand wireless capacity; they improve mobile device reception by channeling calls and data over Internet broadband.  The New York Times reports that small cells "increase the density of network deployment several times over," making them key to meeting the increasing demand for extra data.

However, there's more to CTIA than the sentiments expressed by its keynote speakers.  According to the trade show's official website, its floors will be open for several hours each day until the show's conclusion on Thursday.  Exhibitors include AT&T, CNBC, Intel, Nokia, and more, so attendees are no doubt in store for some stand-out promotional cell phone accessories!

If there's one really awful trade show strategy, it's this:  Trying to exhibit at as many as possible. The truth is not all shows are suited for your company or organization, so outdoing your competition will only end up costing you more money.

To avoid this common pitfall, it's important to focus on high-quality conventions that will get you maximum exposure. But how do you find the best trade fairs in the country? The Trade Show News Network (TSNN) unveiled its list of the 2011 TSNN Top 250 Trade Shows in the United States yesterday. Shows were ranked by net square footage. Let's take a look at the top three events:

1. CONEXPO-CON/AGG
   
   The Las Vegas, Nevada trade show brings together professionals within the construction industry to take a look at equipment, technologies and services. Over 86,000 people attended the 2011 show.
   
   
2. International CES
   
   Our world is becoming increasingly focused on technology, so it's no surprise that the International CES made TSNN's list. The event is the top technology tradeshow worldwide, and attendees get a first-hand look at new technologies and innovations.
   
   

   

   
   
   
3. The January Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market
   
   According to TSNN, "AmericasMart encloses 7,053,000 square feet of space housing 4,500,000 square feet of product, which takes center stage as the chief attraction for retailers from every U.S. state and more than 80 countries worldwide attending its 13 annual markets."  The trade fair focuses on a variety of products from gifts and home furnishings to fashion and apparel.

For a look at TSNN's full list of top 2011 trade shows, click here. And remember, more is not always better! Focus on high quality shows and your target demographic to really make a difference for your company or organization.

According to the ASI Show's Web site, as of this writing, ASI New York begins in just five days, 18 hours, 57 minutes and 15 seconds.  There's something about a good, old-fashioned countdown that gets me really excited. Many of my coworkers and I will be attending the huge event, so the office is abuzz with anticipation. 

There are a lot of things we're looking forward to at the May 8 - 10, 2012 event. First, Randi Zuckerberg (former marketing director for Facebook) will be delivering a keynote address!  She'll be speaking about social media and its impact on our lives -- sounds right up my alley! The trade show's several educational seminars are also worth mentioning; there's everything from sessions about marketing to classes on budgeting.

I really can't wait to hit the trade show floors and speak with the dozens of exhibitors who will be showing off their products and services. I'll no doubt be receiving tons of trade show giveaways from vendors trying to win our business. Sounds like a great way to spend a couple of days!

Are you attending ASI New York?

Movie-lovers are watching the media closely this week as CinemaCon 2012 kicks off at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

The trade show, hailed as the biggest and most esteemed gathering of movie theater owners worldwide, began yesterday, April 23, and will run until Thursday, April 26.  The trade fair's schedule of events includes educational seminars and sneak preview of select upcoming releases, as well as several star-studded dinners and parties.

Theater owners can look forward to seeing tasty new popcorn toppings, top-notch 3-D glasses, and other film promotional products on the trade show floor.  But film fanatics worldwide are no doubt keeping their eyes and ears peeled for news about their favorite celebrities and the industry's most anticipated film releases.

For example, Hollywood hot shots Chris Pine and J.J. Abrams spoke about their forthcoming film "Rise of the Guardians." The Los Angeles Times reports that "'Rise of the Guardians,' is a 3-D DreamWorks Animation movie featuring folklore characters like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny; it's set for release near Thanksgiving." 

Pine praised Abrams, who is known for keeping films like "Cloverfield" and "Star Trek" under-wraps: "It's such a pain in the [butt], but I think about how awesome it is, because what he's protecting is the magic of the unknown," he told the Los Angeles Times.

Other stars who attended the trade show so far include Chris Rock, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Sylvester Stallone.