In this week’s episode of Event Marketer’s Toolbox, hosts Chris Dunn and Dana Esposito sit down with industry historian, author, and advocate Bob McGlincy to uncover the incredible scope, history, and impact of the global trade show industry — a trillion-dollar force that too often goes unseen.

Bob shares insights from his book The Invisible Industry and his decades of experience leading operations and teams in live events. From ancient marketplaces to the Crystal Palace and today’s international conventions, he takes us through the evolution of trade shows — and why they remain vital to innovation, human connection, and economic growth.

Visit Bob’s website to learn more about his work and writings: bobmcglincyauthor.com
1. Trade shows are an economic powerhouse.
Bob reveals the staggering size of the industry — with 11,000+ shows annually in the U.S. alone, supporting millions of jobs and generating hundreds of billions of dollars in commerce. Events like COMDEX once produced nearly $700 million in local economic impact from a single show.

2. The roots of exhibitions go back centuries.
From ancient trading posts to the Frankfurt Book Fair (1462) and the 1851 Crystal Palace Exhibition, trade shows have always driven commerce and collaboration. Bob traces how each generation reinvented the format while keeping the same goal — bringing people together to exchange ideas and opportunity.

3. Trade shows are where innovation debuts.
The world’s first looks at air conditioning, the typewriter, color TV, and touchscreen technology all happened on trade show floors. From Colt’s first firearms demos to Apple’s early product unveilings, exhibitions have been launchpads for game-changing innovation.

4. The human connection is irreplaceable.
Despite digital transformation, face-to-face connection remains the ultimate driver of trust, creativity, and business relationships. As Dana Esposito shared during the conversation, “Humans seek experience. We need to feel, see, and connect.” Bob adds, “You can’t replace that with a screen.”

5. It’s time for the industry to be seen.
Bob calls trade shows “the invisible industry” because so many — even insiders — underestimate their influence. He shares how advocacy groups like EDPA and EEWDF are educating policymakers and promoting the industry’s impact to ensure it gets the recognition and support it deserves.

Trade shows are more than events — they’re living ecosystems that fuel innovation, creativity, and commerce around the world.
As Bob reminds us, “You might not see the industry every day, but you feel its impact everywhere.”

Behind every show floor are thousands of people creating opportunity, building relationships, and keeping the global economy moving — one handshake at a time.

👉🏼 Join us for more insightful discussions like this by tuning into 'Event Marketer's Toolbox,' where industry leaders share the tools, tactics, and trends driving success in the event world.

This Show is sponsored by Blue Hive

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