Trade Show Industry Updates: News, Data, Trends -

Exhibit industry news for corporate trade show marketers, featuring intel on research, trends, and company updates.

Celebrate Global Exhibitions Day

The world’s top exhibition organizers, Clarion Events, Comexposium, Emerald, Informa, and RX, joined forces on June 4 to celebrate the 10th edition of Global Exhibitions Day (GED). Under the theme “Exhibitions Unleash Potential,” the milestone event, “underscores the invaluable role of exhibitions in driving multi-industry growth through in-person engagement,” according to a release. Here’s how to get involved and celebrate the power of trade shows. #GED2025

New Research

Freeman’s new trends report, “Unpacking XLNC: The Future of Commerce for Trade Shows and Conferences,” reveals that commerce now outranks experience, learning, and networking as the top reason people attend events. Discovering new products and solutions was a top-ranked commercial objective for attendees, with hands-on in-booth experiences and face time with subject experts key to this process.

Among other report findings is the details of what exhibitors expect when it comes to all-inclusive packages, which were Wi-Fi access (74 percent), badges (68 percent), booth space (63 percent), booth elements like carpeting and furniture (56 percent), lead retrieval (50 percent) and contact information of attendees (5 percent).

Convention Centers Updates

Austin Convention Center Department recently unveiled the new Austin Convention Center, dubbed “Unconventional ATX.” The $1.6 billion project will nearly double the rentable space of exhibiting at 620,000 square feet and add seamless indoor-outdoor connection and transparent design to maximize natural light. It is scheduled to be completed in late 2028.

Las Vegas Convention Center topped off its $600 renovation, on schedule for completion by the end of the year. The renovation will deliver a new expansive lobby, state-of-the-art spaces, digital signage, enhanced technology, and a redesigned parking lot. If you’re at this venue a lot, you can’t wait for this renovation to be over.

Bloomington Convention Center expansion broke ground on June 3 bringing more than 70,000 square feet of modern, flexible meetings and event space to Monroe County, Indiana. It’s scheduled for completion in 2027.

The Pennsylvania Convention Center is the first convention center in the United States to become Sage Certified, affirming that the facility meets accessibility standards for individuals with mobility, visual, hearing, cognitive, and allergy-related disabilities.

New Shows

Consumer Technology Association (CTA) is launching CES Foundry, a new destination at CES 2026 dedicated to accelerating breakthroughs in AI, blockchain, and quantum technologies. CES Foundry, located at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, January 7-8, will unite innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, media, and industry leaders in exploring how these transformative technologies are defining the future.

Company News

EideCom, an event production company in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park, MN, is doubling the size of its company headquarters from 20,000 square feet to 41,000 square feet as part of a significant expansion project that’s now underway. The upgrade will help EideCom make room for nearly $6 million in new event production equipment and add new bays for Blackhawk Event Logistics, expanding the capabilities of this growing division.

Trivandi, a global events production company, has acquired Brisbane-based Cutler Synthesized Projects, a specialist event overlay company already contributing significant value to Brisbane 2032 and LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. These projects highlight how organizers are embracing more sustainable delivery models, in line with the International Olympic Committee’s Agenda 2020+5, which calls for host cities to optimize existing venues and minimize unnecessary construction.

Impact XM has expanded its strategy department to meet the rising demand for insight-led, tech-enabled brand experiences and investing in AI, data, and omnichannel capabilities. Led by Ben Putman, the expanded team brings together specialists in content, analytics, personalization and engagement.

Freeman has announced its acquisition of Tag Digital, a full-service digital marketing agency specializing in innovative solutions for event organizers in EMEA, APAC, and North America. Tag will combine its services with mdg, a Freeman company, enhancing mdg’s digital marketing capabilities to better serve show organizers and associations while positioning it for growth in new markets.

Exhibitus has been honored with a Platinum (for client Fluidra), a Gold (for client AGCO) and an Honorable Mention (for client NAPA) in the Hermes Creative Award Program, which is ofcused on interactive brand experiences and event marketing. The agency also honored with a Gold Stevie Award for Toshiba.