Trade Shows Archives - Chief Marketer

Best of B-to-B: Five Event Tactics That Generated Love and Leads in 2025

Between budget restraints, tariffs, shifting trade policies and AI everything, it’s been one hell of a trip around the sun for b-to-b event marketers. But this industry always rises to the occasion, and the meetings, conferences and exhibits delivered in 2025 were no exception. With 2026 just around the corner, we rounded up some of […]

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Trade Shows

Big, Bold, and Data-Driven: Trade Show Trends Fueling 2026

Trade shows and exhibits are heading into 2026 with a new level of ambition—bolder storytelling, smarter tech, and deeper attendee insight. From kinetic LED architecture and themed entrances that double as sponsorship goldmines, to actually personalized experiences, to sustainability strategies with real teeth, the year ahead promises a show floor that’s more immersive, more intentional, […]

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B-to-B Events

Field Report: 11 Memorable Activations from the AWS re:Invent 2025 Show Floor

If you’ve never taken a slide instead of an escalator, you haven’t been to AWS re:Invent, Amazon Web Services’ flagship global cloud-computing conference, which took place Dec. 1-5 in Las Vegas. The 14th annual gathering (T3 Expo served as general contractor) brought together thousands of cloud computing experts, builders, partners, and tech enthusiasts to learn […]

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B-to-B Events

IAAPA Expo 2025: Eight Exhibit Trends from the Business of Fun’s Show Floor

When the global attractions industry gathers under one roof at IAAPA Expo, it’s a bit of sensory overload. Flashing lights and sounds are emerging from arcade games, attendees are screaming on roller coasters and drop towers, popcorn is popping, animatronics are speaking to passersby, and kids are bouncing on inflatables. But that’s what makes this […]

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B-to-B Events

IAAPA Expo 2025: Sights, Sounds and Scents from the Attractions Industry’s Annual Show

The week before Thanksgiving marks IAAPA Expo’s annual return to the Orange County Convention Center and takeover of Orlando’s I-Drive tourist district, gathering the global attractions industry for a week of conference sessions, show floor exploration, networking and celebrations. From Nov. 17-21, more than 40,000 professionals took part in 170-plus education events and walked a […]

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B-to-B Events

Field Report: How Brands Fused Passion and Business at the 2025 SEMA Show

A drift demo shredding tires to a cheering crowd? Hundreds of meticulously decked-out rides and a wild after-party festival? You’re at the 2025 SEMA Show, the automotive aftermarket global business event, which took place Nov. 4-7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. With more than 153,000 attendees from 140 countries and regions, including 2,300 exhibiting […]

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B-to-B Events

Heroes and Legends: Six Bold Engagement Ideas from HLTH USA 2025

No Entry. Flesh Eating Mutant Guppies with Perms said a sign on the door next to Registration at HLTH USA 2025 that took place at the Venetian Expo Center in Las Vegas, Oct. 19-22. What you wanted was the door where Petunia, the unicorn mascot, was sprinkling magic dust. Now in its eighth year, HLTH […]

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B-to-B Events

In the Works: Convention Centers Are Expanding to Meet the Next Era of Events

From Louisville to Los Angeles, a wave of convention center expansions is reshaping the North American trade show and convention landscape, adding continuous space, modern amenities, outdoor terraces, and pedestrian-friendly districts to accommodate more flexible, more experiential events. Los Angeles: A $2.6 Billion Expansion to Compete at the Top Tier Construction officially began Oct. […]

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B-to-B Events

Built Differently: How Carlyle Fired Up Next-Gen Technicians at SEMA 2025

At SEMA 2005, Carlyle Tools showed up with a single mission: to help attendees “turn their toolbox into a beast.” Part of NAPA since 2012, the brand recently underwent a transformation to appeal to a younger audience. “We felt like there was an opportunity to reinvigorate and reinvent how Carlyle tools are being presented,” says […]

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Pop-Ups

Fordham University Taps Experiential to Cut Through in Higher Ed Marketing

Fordham University’s Marketing VP discusses a new brand platform designed to differentiate the institution, grow brand awareness and battle the complexities of higher education marketing.