Trade Show Newsletter December 2023

2023 was a momentous year for the trade show industry. With several events witnessing record attendance from exhibitors and visitors both, it is safe to assume that we’re well past the slump caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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However, as the event landscape is rapidly changing, exhibitors need to keep up with the latest trade show news and trends. Here’s our December 2023 newsletter with some of the most newsworthy updates to help you better plan your upcoming exhibit-

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[READ: Trade Show Planning Guide]

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1. Process Expo 2023 Ends on a Successful Note

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The eighth Process Expo, the global food and equipment technology show, was held between 23-25 October in Chicago, IL. This was the last edition of this event before it is rebranded to EATS (The Equipment and Technology Show for Food & Beverage) in 2025.

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The event witnessed strong attendance, with over 380 exhibitors and several thousand visitors from 50+ countries. The product showcase area at the McCormick Place Convention Center was buzzing with businesses from 18 countries demonstrating their latest offerings. The event also had new feature areas and three live production setups.

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[READ: 20 Trade Show Booth Activity Ideas for 2024]

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2. Top Trends at IMEX 2023

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IMEX America 2023 was held from October 17-19 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. As one of the largest trade shows for global events, meetings, and the incentive travel industry, exhibitors look up to the trends at this event to refine their exhibits. Here are some of the biggest highlights from this event- 

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• Exhibitors using the latest tech innovations to offer an engaging experience to the visitors. For instance, the event entrance had a hologram with Carina Bauer, the President of IMEX Group, welcoming the attendees.
• AI is the hottest event topic of 2023. At one of the sessions at the event, industry professionals talked about the wide range of AI tools they use for repurposing content.
• Sustainability remains a trendsetter, with exhibitors looking for innovative ways to integrate eco-friendly practices, reduce carbon footprints, and embrace environmentally conscious solutions.

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[READ: 21 Best Eco-Friendly Trade Show Giveaway Ideas]

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3. IAAPA Expo 2023 Breaks Pre-Pandemic Numbers

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The IAAPA (International Association for Amusement Parks and Attractions) Expo is a one-stop destination for attractions and leisure industry professionals. The latest edition of the event, held from 14-17 November in Orlando, Florida, witnessed record-breaking numbers.

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Spread across 550,000 square feet, the event attracted over 36,000 industry professionals, with around 26,400 of them being qualified buyers from over 18,000 companies. Around 10,000 exhibitors participated in the event, representing 1,147 global companies.

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  4. Record-Breaking PLMA Expo 2023

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The PLMA (Private Label Manufacturers Association) Expo is one of the largest offline events for the store brands industry. Held from 12-14 November, PLMA 2023 was a grand success, surpassing the records established in previous years.

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The sold-out event had 1,165 exhibitors and over 2,750 booths. Due to the strong demand from the exhibitors, an additional hall was used at the Stephens Convention Center in Chicago, where the event was organized. The booth space demand increased by 20%, and there was a strong 40% rise in the number of non-food companies exhibiting at the event.

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Supercharge Your Booth with Audiencegage Trade Show Games

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The dynamic landscape of trade shows requires exhibitors to adapt to the latest trends and fulfill the expectations of the visitors. With consumers looking for engaging experiences at such physical events, a fun and memorable trade show game can give your booth that edge to stand out.

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Audiencegage offers a wide range of digital trade show games, including Trivia Challenges, Prize Wheels, Scavenger Hunts, Raffle Games, and Custom Games to help exhibitors attract and engage visitors. Schedule a free demo to see how our games can amplify your booth’s presence on a crowded trade show floor.