A trade fair (trade show, trade exhibition or expo) is an exhibition organized so that companies in a specific industry can showcase

and demonstrate their latest products, service, study activities of rivals and examine recent market trends and opportunities. In contrast to consumer fairs, only some trade fairs are open to the public, while others can only be attended by company representatives (members of the trade, e.g. professionals) and members of the press, therefore trade shows are classified as either "Public" or "Trade Only". A few fairs are hybrids of the two; one example is the Frankfurt Book Fair, which is trade-only for its first three days and open to the general public on its final two days. They are held on a continuing basis in virtually all markets and normally attract companies from around the globe. For example, in the U.S. there are currently over 2500[citation needed] trade shows held every year, and several online directories have been established to help organizers, attendees, and marketers identify appropriate events.

Modern trade fairs follow in the tradition of trade fairs established in late medieval Europe, in the era of merchant capitalism. In this era, produce and craft producers visited towns for trading fairs, to sell and showcase products. From the late eighteenth century, Industrial Exhibitions in Europe and North America became more common reflecting the technological dynamism of the industrial revolution.

What is a Trade Show?

A trade show is a kind of exhibition which is organized in order to provide space to the

companies that wish to demonstrate their services and new products. Usually, a trade show is organized for a specific industry and all the companies in that particular industry can take part in the show by paying a fee. However, a trade show can cover a number of industries as well.

Sometimes, a trade fair is open to the public and people are allowed to see the new products and sometimes, only the company representatives i.e. the members of the trade are allowed to enter the trade fair. Apart from the members of trade and public, members of press are also invited to the trade fairs so as to cover the event. A considerable amount of capital is required to successfully run a trade fair. A trade show is usually run for few days but a large number of people are required for the smooth running as a lot of services are required for exhibitors. The participating companies pay some agreed amount of money in order to showcase their new services and products in the trade fair. They spend money in order to create a buzz among people and its worth it as they can get good amount of business if they manage to create the hype among people. The money charged from participating companies is used for providing several facilities like accommodation, telecommunication, space for setting up the booth, designing trade show displays, constructing trade show displays, internet services and manuals. These services are required for smooth running of the trade show and you cannot neglect one facility while working on another. All of them need to be considered equally as all of them are required. However, trade show displays need some special consideration as there are a number of different trade show displays and they vary greatly in cost, size and complexity. So, they need some special consideration. Basically, trade show displays are physical screen banners that are used to attract the attention of the visitors and bold images along with catchy phrases are used to do so. Pipe and drape, tabletop displays, pull-up displays are some of the common types of trade show displays. As it takes considerable amount of money, space, instruments, staff for running a trade show, virtual trade shows have been introduced. A virtual trade show is an online environment that stays live only for a limited period of time allowing like-minded participants to connect with each other. A virtual trade show can even incorporate a virtual web conference so as to allow users to interact with each other. Usually, a virtual exhibit hall is included in a virtual trade fair and the users enter it in order to either setup the virtual booths or just to view the virtual trade fair so as to get information about the new products and services. Online registration is required in order to get the permissions to enter the exhibit hall available on the site. As a result of the development in technology, virtual trade fairs reflect the real-world virtual trade fairs as virtual trade fairs include desks, displays, interactive menus, videos and audios. The virtual trade shows are gaining popularity among people as its very easy to setup a virtual trade show when compared to a real-world trade show. Also, the cost and the resources required for setting up a virtual trade fair is very less when compared to that of a real-world trade fair.

Chittagong International Trade Fair (CITF), the largest international trade fair in the country for the last thirteen consecutive years and the event has been a total success with respect to enthusiastic participation by leading local, foreign and multinational business & manufacturing enterprises of Asia, Europe, USA and African countries. Venue: Railway Pologround, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Dhaka Textiles & Garments Industry Exhibition (DTG 2012) is designed to be the trendsetter for the industry player to showcase new technology, state-of-the-art equipments, materials and services, as well as an excellent avenue for international suppliers and visitors to expand business to the lucrative market and accelerate Bangladeshi technological advances that will impart effective quality, high speed and competitive cost to gain that all important edge in textile & garments industry. Venue: Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh