Trade Shows to know about
Whatever market niche you are in, there are trade shows and conferences full of resources and connections. There are also many benefits in attending events in related and other markets, because of the cross pollination of products, services and customer wants & needs.
The websites of past and current trade shows and conferences are also full of connections. The organizers of the events, the exhibitors and the presenters at the seminars are one of the few ways to discover the current people you need to know. Hiring people who actively participate in your market is ideal.
You need official and unofficial event ambassadors of you and your products / services.
It also adds to your trust requirements.
Research the many trade shows and conference websites of the markets for your products.
Some are niche, like wholesale plumbing distributors.
Some are put on by the publishers of the industry trade magazines. Many are free to subscribe.
The ads and articles in the trade publications are full of mentions of niche service providers that have the connections you need.
Many of the larger wholesale and retail distribution groups have their own very large trade shows. (ACE and True Value, among them)
Discover the organizations that sponsor them, the people who speak at them and the exhibitors that display at them.
Some of the larger shows video record and post, on their websites, targeted seminar speakers and panel discussions / Q&A
I reached out and met the VP of new technology for one of the largest restaurant equipment manufactures from a video of a show seminar.
Subscribe to the notification trade show lists.
TSNN.Com/trade-show-calendar lists hundreds of events in the US and around the world. And their are other comprehensive lists.
Develop industry friends who might attend shows for you as a scout or ambassador.
Each has a wealth of resources and connections for your market validation, product development and distribution journey.
Look at the websites from past trade shows to start learning, connecting and preparing for the next one that you might attend.
Every product category has their own events or is co-hosting with others.
Look for videos of “walk around highlight tours” of shows. Some YouTube content creators do this every year.
US based trade shows, that are international in scope, will have many overseas product manufacturers that show products that won’t show up on a US patent search.
If you’d like my advice in finding trade shows and conferences in your market, let me know. dave@inventorseducationforum.org
Do a Google search for targeted event calendars in your niches.
Think about the various markets where your product might be sold by you and others.
Like: Pet product industry trade event calendar 2026.
Back it up with other searches: “Pet product industry publications and Pet product industry associations.
The results of these searches will lead you others.
Make a special note of events, in locations, where you may already have relationships for lodging and transportation.
Contact me about advice in attending events to maximize your results.
Written by Dave Savage – Founder and advisor of the Inventor’s Education Forum. November 1 2026
InventorsEducationForum.org