At Allotts, we’re all about helping you make the most of the opportunities ahead to power your marketing, sales and growth.

So, here’s your guide to the best trade shows in 2023.

But before we get to those crucial diary dates, here’s a reminder of why trade shows and exhibitions matter, and can make a big difference to your business growth, especially with the current headwinds buffeting the economy.

Four reasons why trade shows and exhibitions are important:

1. Sales/lead generation – they give you a platform to market to your prospects and generate new leads/sales. Attending and exhibiting at shows with high visitor numbers gives you access to a large pool of potential leads.

2. Networking and building your brand – the saying people buy people is so true. And so networking face-to-face is crucial for growing your business and raising brand awareness because they’re the perfect place to get interest and buy in from the people you meet. Plus, once you meet face-to-face, you’re no longer someone at the end of the phone or tucked away in a spam folder – you become ‘real’ and someone people want to interact with.

3. Gaining competitive edge/insights – attending a trade show or exhibition is one of the best ways for you to stay ahead of your competition, especially during a downturn. You’ll often find trade shows are used as testing grounds for new products, processes and ideas. You can test your innovations, but also survey what your competitors are doing now and in the future.
4. Customer outreach – every business knows that to keep customers you must continue to invest in that relationship and work to keep that business. After all, it costs more to find new customers than keep your existing ones, and no one wants to lose business. Plus, it gives you a chance to upsell to people who have already bought into your brand.

JANUARY

Paris Packaging Week

When: 25-26 January

Where: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles

Sectors: Packaging

This exhibition offers four events for brands in key packaging markets, including luxury products, FMCG, beauty and premium drinks. It is an opportunity to source the latest packaging solutions and connect with key decision makers. Hundreds of the world’s biggest suppliers and thousands of designers, packaging developers, marketers and buyers are expected to attend.

Read more about Paris Packaging Week here

IPPE

When: 24-26 January

Where: Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, USA

Sectors: Primary and secondary meat and poultry processing, feed production

The International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) showcases the latest technology, equipment, supplies and services used in the production and processing of eggs, meat and poultry from farm to fork, as well as those involved in animal feed manufacturing. IPPE hosts thousands of international visitors every year, including operations and plant managers, buying agents, engineers, and researchers from the world’s top feed, meat processing and packing and poultry companies.

Read more about IPPE here

Arab Health

When: 30 January-2 February

Where: Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE

Sectors: Medical devices and technology

Dubai welcomes around 35,000 healthcare and trade professionals from across the globe to Arab Health every year, making it the biggest show of its kind. Along with some accompanying conferences, Arab Health brings the healthcare industry together to showcase the latest innovations in this sector. A great opportunity to network and learn from state-of-the-art imaging equipment and cost-effective disposables to developments in surgery and advances in prosthetics.

Read more about Arab Health here

FEBRUARY

Build Expo

When: Seven events from February to November

Where: Regionally across the USA

Sectors: Construction and engineering

Build Expo is America’s premier building and construction show, hosting suppliers from construction related sectors including: architecture, engineering, design, facilities management, tools, property development, Government and private construction. As well as providing the opportunity to connect with thousands of key decision makers in the industry, you can take advantage of Build Expo’s classroom-style workshops where industry experts discuss the key issues affecting the sector.

Build Expo takes place regionally throughout 2023 at the following locations:

Palmer Events Center, Austin, 1-2 February

Dallas Market Hall, Dallas, 12-13 April

Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, 17-18 May

NRG Park Center, Houston, 28-29 June

Cobb Galleria Center, Atlanta, 30-31 August

Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, 20-21 September

Broward County Convention Center, Greater Fort Lauderdale, 15-16 November

Learn more about Build Expo here

Executive Hire Show

When: 8-9 February

Where: CBS Arena, Coventry, UK

Sectors: Tools, plant and equipment hire

The Executive Hire Show is the hire industry’s number one event for the UK and Ireland. It brings together hirers and suppliers involved in the tool, plant and equipment hire trade. The show hosts representatives from trade bodies and hire firms large and small, and is particularly known as an important resource for independently-owned entrepreneurial hire outlets. It was first launched in 2007 by Executive Hire News, the sector’s leading trade magazine and a strong voice within the industry.

Read more about the Executive Hire Show here

Packaging Innovations/EMPACK

When: 15-16 February

Where: NEC, Birmingham, UK

Sectors: Packaging including design

Packaging Innovations/EMPACK is a premier UK event for packaging professionals which covers all aspects of the packaging supply chain. It is held annually, and brings together hundreds of specifiers, buyers and suppliers. Visitors are equipped with knowledge on the latest new materials, formats, smart packaging technology and the expert know-how needed to create the future of their brand’s packaging.

Find out more about Packaging Innovations/EMPACK here

Gulfood

When: 20-24 February

Where: Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE

Sectors: Food and beverage

Arguably the world’s biggest trade fair for the food and beverage industry, Gulfood welcomes around 60,000 visitors from across the globe every year, and hosts thousands of exhibitors across 20 exhibition halls. The halls are arranged by sector and cover beverages, dairy processing, fats and oils, health and free-from, meat and poultry, world foods, cereals and grains, and private label brands.

Read more about Gulfood here

MARCH 

ProMat

When: 20-23 March

Where: McCormick Place, Chicago, USA

Sectors: Logistics, supply chain

ProMat brings together industry peers from across the USA and beyond, to showcase the latest technology in the supply chain and transportation world. With more than 1,000 exhibitors, ProMat is great for networking, but also has a strong emphasis on education. It will feature a comprehensive educational conference with keynotes from some of the industry’s best minds, and show floor seminars led by industry experts and leading professionals.

Read more about ProMat here

IntraLogisteX

When: 28-29 March

Where: NEC, Birmingham, UK

Sectors: Logistics

 An unmissable showcase of the latest and best in intralogistics, this exhibition is for companies covering the full range of logistics activities including, warehousing, automation, packaging and software. Here you’ll find more than 150 exhibitors, 1,400 visitors, 20 conference sessions on innovation and live demonstrations. IntraLogisteX will be packed with everything you need to improve productivity, safety, maximise space and reduce costs.

Discover more about IntraLogisteX here

APRIL

Index

When: 18-21 April 

Where: Palexpo Centre, Geneva, Switzerland

Sectors: Nonwovens, geotextiles, infection control, packaging

Index is the key event for the nonwovens industry and takes place every three years. This is a must visit for companies working in any of the various sectors of the nonwovens industry and will host around 12,000 visitors from around the world.

Learn more about Index 2023 here

FoodEx

When: 24-26 April

Where: NEC, Birmingham, UK

Sectors: Food processing, packaging and logistics

FoodEx is the UK’s premier trade event for food and drink manufacturing, processing, packaging and logistics, taking place every three years. Industry 4.0 will be a key theme at the 2023 edition, as well as sustainability.

Discover more about FoodEx 2023 here

Labelexpo Mexico 2023

When: 26-28 April

Where: World Trade Center, Mexico City, Mexico

Sectors: Labelling, packaging, printing

Labelexpo Mexico is the biggest show specifically dedicated to the labelling, packaging and printing sectors across the Americas. Latin America is strongly represented at this event, where people can experience the latest technology in printing, converting, software and interactive technology, packaging materials and more.

Learn more about Labelexpo Mexico here

Take a look at part 2 here

Planning to exhibit at a trade show next year? We are the experts in industry PR and marketing and are here to help you raise your profile pre and post event. Get in touch with our team to find out how we can help you make your mark at trade shows and exhibitions in 2023 and beyond.

Hosting an event and want to be included in this guide? Get in touch with Emily at emily@allottandassociates.co.uk