I. Description of Fairs, Expositions and Exhibitions
B. Types of Exhibitions

Trade Shows
are b2b events. Companies in a specific industry can showcase and demonstrate their new products and services. Generally trade shows are open to the public and are attended by company representatives and members of the press. Examples of trade shows are CeBIT and Hong Kong Electronics Fair (computer industry).

Historically, trade shows have been conceived of as vehicles of communication with company exhibits fulfilling an advertising and display function. Over time, this view has been challenged and replaced with the view that trade shows are primarily events where products and services are sold, or contracts and rights signed. However, in some instances, product or service offerings and buying processes are regarded as too complex to permit full assessment or commitment to be made on-site. In such situations, trade shows, at best, are likely to generate sales leads to be followed up afterwards. In the 1980s, a broader view of trade shows became more accepted. Several researchers argue that companies use trade shows to pursue multiple objectives beyond communications and selling.

CEBIT, Germany world‘s largest show for the computer industry