Trade shows are a crucial aspect of building a business, especially at the early, formative stages. They are a unique opportunity to build your brand, generate sales leads and of course to generate actual sales as well.

 

While trade shows have always been a big part of operating a business, the tools available to make sure that trade show’s are a successful experience for their vendors have never been more advanced or diverse. For example, a vendor attending a trade show now would want to invest in or rent a tradeshow scanner. A tradeshow scanner is a piece of electronic equipment that is used for scanning barcodes or badges. In a trade show setting, such equipment allows you to keep track of valuable sales leads that you acquire at the show. While tracking sales is obviously important, leads may actually be a better indicator of trade show success and thus tracking them via these types of scanning equipment is important.

 

In addition to advances in electronic equipment, there have also been advances in the effort of cities to make sure they are attractive destinations for trade shows and conventions. Cities are realizing that these trade shows and conventions are not just economic engines for the industries and companies themselves: they are also drivers of economic activity for the cities they take place in. Here are a few cities that have had the most success and experience with trade shows.

 

 

Las Vegas

 

Las Vegas, perhaps more than any other American city, thrives on its reputation as a destination city for all types of visitors.  While you might first think of Las Vegas as an entertainment destination, it is also increasingly becoming a place that draws people for work. The many trade shows and conventions it hosts are proof of this. While the trade shows themselves are business settings, the ability of a company or industry to have a business event in Las Vegas with the opportunity to engage in the entertainment the city has to offer either before or after the event is a major factor that makes Las Vegas such an attractive setting for these events.

 

Orlando

 

It might not have been your second guess, but Orlando is home to the second most trade shows and conventions after Las Vegas. Like Las Vegas, Orlando is chosen for its convention centers, hotels and other event centers suitable to host high-attendance events. Also like Las Vegas, it offers a lot of entertainment options including Universal Studios and the Kennedy Space Center. The beaches and weather also allow Orlando to be a destination for companies and industries seeking to turn their show into both an event and a vacation for the attendees.

 

Indianapolis

 

One city that it would take awhile to guess is a popular trade show and convention destination is Indianapolis. The capital city of Indiana is the twelfth largest in the United States and one of the top 5 and rising cities for these types of events. One reason is due to its large convention center which is connected to its professional football stadium, Lucas Oil Stadium—the home of the Indianapolis Colts. The walker-friendly layout of the downtown Indianapolis area also makes it a popular host of big events.