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Covid-19 found trade show events across Canada and the US completely cancelled or moving to online versions. Now, as travel restrictions have loosened more industrial companies are looking to get back to doing business face to face. There is a growing movement to reconnect with colleagues and friends in person and to meet people at networking events.
As such, the trade show circuit has opened up with lots of options to explore. Of course, it is yet to be seen if trade shows will fully recover from the lockdowns and businesses are still evaluating whether or not the return on investment is there. To help explore the options, we've identified the top trade shows that manufacturers are attending in 2023 and 2024. Whether you attend as an exhibitor or as a guest you can walk away with a ton of information, leads and new business.
We've researched some of the best shows for manufacturers to consider attending. Here's the list.
1. National Heavy Equipment Show (Toronto 2024)
http://www.nhes.ca/
Plans are under way for the Spring 2024 event at the International Convention Centre in Mississaugua, Ontario. The 2022 event boasted attendance and participation rates to be on par with pre-pandemic numbers.
The 2024 prospectus has not yet been published but here is the cost breakdown from the last event.
Exhibitor Space:
Value Pricing includes 100 sq. ft. - 700 sq. ft. for $15.55
Bulk Pricing ranges with 800 sq. ft. - 1900 sq. ft. for $9.65 or 2000 sq. ft. plus for $6.60
Admission Costs: $10 per person
2. Advanced Design and Manufacturing Expo (Toronto November 7-9, 2023) http://admtoronto.com/
The Advanced Design and Manufacturing Expo has joined forces with the Design & Manufacturing, Powder & Bulk Solids, Automation Technology Expo, Plastics Exo and the Packaging Expo shows to create a new all-under-one-roof experience for industry professionals.
ADM Toronto attracts attendees from all facets of manufacturing looking for innovative solutions to their packaging, plastics, automation and robotics, design engineering, and dry processing needs. The event is expected to attract more than 3,000 attendees and 250 exhibitors
Exhibitor Space: starts from $40.75 CAD/square foot
New this year they are offering packages for a 10x10 booth ($3875) and 10x20 ($7575) which include a 6 foot table, 2 chairs, carpet, waste bin and Digital Outreach Fee)
Admission Costs: Not yet accepting registration.
3. CMTS - Canadian Manufacturing and Technology Show (Toronto, September 25 - 28, 2023) https://cmts.ca/
Held every two years, this show boasts more than 9,000 attendees engaging with 700+ exhibitors on the floor.
Workshops, keynotes and live demos all centered around Machine Tools, Tooling, Metal Forming and Fabricating, Industry 4.0 Solutions, Automation and Design Engineering.
Industries represented at the show include aerospace, agriculture, alternative energy, automotive, commercial and industrial machinery, construction, consulting/engineering R&D, electronics/computers, fabricated metal/stamping, food processing, government/defence, medical/surgical, mining, oil and gas, pharma, plastics, transportation and utilities.
Exhibitor Space: $39/square foot with discounts on larger booths
Admission Costs: Exhibit floor is free with advanced registration for industry professionals. Full conference ranges from $225-$1200
4. FABTECH Canada (Toronto, June 11 - 13, 2024) http://fabtechcanada.com/
Improve productivity, increase profits and discover new solutions for all your metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing needs at FABTECH Canada. With more than 200 exhibitors and in excess of 5,500 visitors, this show attracts a national audience of prospective buyers. There are workshops, keynotes and networking opportunities.
The 2024 prospectus has not yet been published but here is the cost breakdown from the last event.
Exhibitor Space: $33/square foot with discounts on larger booths
Admission Costs: Free with advanced registration for industry professionals. Onsite registration is $50.
5. IMTS (Chicago, September 9 - 14, 2024) https://www.imts.com/
Coined as one of the largest manufacturing and technology shows in North America with close to 85,000 attendees, 1,800 exhibitors over 1.2M square feet of space. It’s well established and recognized by most people in industry.
Factoring in travel costs, exchange rates and the higher than average exhibit space, this is a show that will need some extra time to plan ahead to clear budgets and work on the logistics of your attendance. If you attend simply as a visitor, be sure to wear comfortable shoes, there is so much ground to cover you’ll have a hard time getting it all in. Make sure you have a game plan to get to all the vendors and events you want.
The 2024 prospectus has not yet been published but here is the cost breakdown from the last event.
Exhibitor Space: $33 USD/square foot
Admission Costs: $50 USD per person, discounts available
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