Trade show activity throughout the world continues to grow. More and more exhibitors are finding trade shows to be their most effective marketing tool. No longer seen as a vacation away from the office, today's trade show is considered one of the best ways to meet with current customers, reach previously unidentified prospects and offer goods and services to the international market. Trade Shows Worldwide contains the vital information needed by every segment of the trade show industry. With its global perspective and clearly organized format, Trade Shows Worldwide allows industry professionals, city planners, information professionals and business executives quick access to the information vital for success and timely decision-making.

This book presents a radically innovative view on trade shows as knowledge-rich places, where firms learn through observation and interaction with other economic actors, and as enablers, rather than mere consequences, of globalization. Traditionally seen as marketing tools, trade shows are conceptualised as temporary clusters that facilitate the creation and diffusion of knowledge across geographical distances, even in the age of social media. The book is organized in four parts. Part I lays out the conceptual foundations of the knowledge-based perspective, from the early development of trade fairs to modern-day events. Part II analyses specific global developments, focussing on the trade show ecologies of Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Part III investigates differences in the nature of knowledge generation practices across international hub shows, exports shows, and import shows in different industries, and investigates competition between such events. Part IV discusses the implications of a knowledge-based conceptualisation of trade shows. The book will be of interest to scholars and students in economic geography, management, marketing, organization studies, political science, and sociology. It also has practical implications for trade show organisers on how to make their events more competitive through knowledge-based strategies; for industry associations and cities, on how to use these events for collective/place marketing purposes; and for policy makers, on how to use trade shows for export promotion and innovation policies.

Shows from One Country to the Next is a guidebook to help recalculate your thinking when marketing in multiple countries. “Trade Shows from One Country to the Next” delves into international marketing differences, with a focus specifically on global trade shows. Rather than concentrate on details about marketing, this book focuses on the needed adjustments that need be made, physically and culturally, when presenting your products and services at an international trade show. Although dedicated to trade show design and regulations, much of the information in this book speaks to effective communication skills that are required when spending a week or less marketing your services abroad. This book will not only appeal to exhibit managers, show organizers, venues and exhibit suppliers, but to those who market anything outside of their country of origin. Effective communication is the key! There is no right way, there is no wrong way, there is only a different way! Understand and respect what is different, and you are on your way to success with international marketing. Larry Kulchawik has served in the trade marketing industry for 45 years. As the first American president of IFES (International Federation of Exposition Services) he has met trade show supplier experts from around the world who have shared their opinions about achieving trade show marketing success in their countries.