Whether you’re on the road, resting in a hotel room, or stuck in a line, a good book is always ready to help elevate your tradeshow knowledge. The Editor’s bookshelf is not a complete list but a collection of industry related books, podcasts, and guides that can help whether you are just starting off with a career in tradeshows or have been here for decades.
Books
Brand Experiences: Building Connections in a Digitally Cluttered World
by Steve Randazzo
This guide goes over the importance of a brand, and more importantly, how to develop a successful and memorable brand. Randazzo reviews how to lasting impact and insights to some of the most impactful brands.
ISBN: 978-1733874502 Year: 2019
Links: Amazon, Barnes & Nobles
Experiential Marketing: Secrets, Strategies and Success Stories with the World’s Greatest Brands
by Kerry Smith, Dan Hanover
This book covers a whole host of topics for the Experiential Marketer. Inside one will find the importance of a brand, experiences, face-to-face engagements, and how to build an audience. This book goes over not only history by psychology of a brand, measuring impact, and marketing strategy.
ISBN: 978-1119145875 Year: 2016
Links: Amazon, Barnes & Nobles
The Invisible Industry: The Evolution of Trade Shows
by Larry Kulchawik and Bob McGlincy
In this book, discover the economic impact of the global trade show industry, tracing its history from street vendors in Persia to brand activations and convention center expansions in the U.S. Kulchawik and McGlincy explore the people, products, and behind-the-scenes heroes who transformed the trade show industry.
ISBN: 979-8300940355 Year: 2024
Links: Amazon, Barnes & Nobles
Powerful Exhibit Marketing: The Complete Guide to Successful Trade Shows
by Barry Suskind
This book offers a comprehensive guide to achieving success at tradeshows. It includes strategies and practical tips for exhibit managers, focusing on the importance of planning, execution, and post-show follow-up to maximize ROI.
ISBN: 978-1234567890 Year: 2021
Links: Amazon
It’s Showtime! Our Lives Behind the Scenes on Las Vegas Showroom Stages
by Craig L. Hayes and Kelli Draper Wolf
It’s Showtime! Our Lives Behind the Scenes on Las Vegas Showroom Stages by Craig L. Hayes and Kelli Draper Wolf offers a rare glimpse into the lives of stagehands powering the magic of Las Vegas entertainment. With over 40 years of experience, Hayes recounts his family’s legacy and the real-world challenges of showbiz, providing an insider’s perspective on the city’s iconic productions.
ISBN: 978-0578913032 Year: 2021
Links: Amazon
Reinventing Live: The Always-On Future
by Denzil Rankine and Marco Giberti
In this book discover the tradeshow industry and its transformation. Rankine and Giberti present principals, recommendations, and lessons they have learned in the industry as well as how a changing world has affected shows.
ISBN: 978-1785276927 Year: 2020
Links: Amazon, Barnes & Nobles
Reinventing Organizations: A Guide to Creating Organizations Inspired by the Next Stage in Human Consciousness
by Frederic Laloux (Author), Ken Wilber (Foreword)
Organizations across industries are becoming outdated, with most employees feeling disengaged. Teachers, doctors, and nurses are leaving their fields due to bureaucracy and disillusionment, and even government agencies and nonprofits struggle with inefficiency and power imbalances. The result is widespread frustration, driven by endless meetings, infighting, and constant changes.
ISBN: 978-2960133509 Year: 2014
Links: Amazon, Barnes & Nobles
Trade Show 411: The Essential Guide to Exhibiting Like a Pro
by Lisa Masiello
This comprehensive guide offers practical tips and strategies for trade show success, covering everything from pre-show preparation to post-show follow-ups.
ISBN: 979-8730579224 Year: 2021
Links: Amazon
The Trade Show Chronicles: Exhibition Booth Management, from A to Z
by Julien Rio
This book outlines best practices for managing tradeshow booths, providing actionable insights for both beginners and experienced exhibitors.
ISBN: 979-8645432067 Year: 2020
Links: Amazon
Trade Shows Don’t Cost… They Pay
by Richard Erschik
In Erschik’s book, learn about the exhibit manager’s role to elevate ROI. This book offers a step-by-step guide to trade show success, focusing on Pre, During, and Post-show excellence. It includes strategies for lead follow-up, ROI, and practical tips for exhibit managers.
ISBN: 979-8863353111 Year: 2023
Links: Amazon
Podcasts
The Don & Mike Show
Hosts: Don Svehla and Mike Morrison
Years: 2017-present
Available on: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and ExhibitCityNews.com
Description: This podcast discusses key trends, news, and events in the trade show, events, and experiential marketing industries, featuring guest interviews and expert insights.
The Experience Builders
Hosts: CrewXP and Chris Griffin
Years: 2023-present
Available on: YouTube, LinkedIn, CrewXP.com
Description: The Experience Builders podcast brings together top event professionals to discuss the future of events and experiential marketing, focusing on innovative strategies for creating unforgettable experiences.
Trade Show Insights
Host: Marlys Arnold
Years: 2006-present
Available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and ExhibitMarketersCafé.com
Description: Hosted by trade show expert Marlys Arnold, this podcast offers tips, interviews, and strategies to improve exhibit marketing and event participation. It’s a must-listen for exhibitors looking to boost their results
GreenTech Podcast
Hosts: Various
Years: 2024-present
Available on: Apple Podcasts, Podtail, and Spotify
Description: Focuses on horticulture trade shows in Amsterdam and Mexico.
The Global Exhibitor Podcast
Host: Jeff Hannah
Years: 2019-Present
Available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and major podcast platforms.
Description: This podcast explores global trends in horticulture, covering everything from greenhouse technology to sustainable practices. It coincides with the GreenTech trade shows in Amsterdam and Mexico.
Event Experience
Hosts: Various event leaders
Years: 2019-present
Available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Description: A podcast that brings together event experienced professionals to discuss the latest trends, technologies, and success stories in the event planning industry.
EventUp
Host: Amanda Ma
Years: 2019-present
Available on: Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Apple Podcasts.
Description: Hosted by event expert Amanda Ma, EventUp covers all things related to corporate events, from virtual meetings to large-scale conferences, with a focus on the latest trends and best practices.
Event Industry News Podcast
Hosts: Various industry guests
Years: 2021-present
Available on: Event Industry News, Apple Podcasts, and other major platforms.
Description: This podcast covers a wide range of event management topics, with insights from industry experts on current trends, challenges, and innovations.
Associations NOW Presents by ASAE
Host: ASAE
Years: 2024
Available on: Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, and other major platforms
Description: Focused on the association industry, this podcast provides updates, insights, and trends relevant to association leaders and professionals.
Trade Show University
Host: Jim Cermak
Years: 2024-Present
Available on: YouTube and on their website
Description: This podcast offers strategies, expert interviews, and tips to help exhibitors and event professionals succeed at trade shows and virtual events.
Guides & Tools
The following are a list of guides and tools that tradeshow professionals may find useful to review and check over.
EACA Membership Directory
This directory provides contact information for the EACA Membership community.
EDPA, ESCA, and EIC Sustainability Guidance for Exhibition Stand Construction
This updated sustainability guide highlights the key regulations for events and stand construction.
Guidelines for Display Rules and Regulations by IAEE
This guide is the list of display regulations mandated by IAEE.
The Art of the Show Textbook by IAEE
This textbook is an overview of the Tradeshow and Events world.
Trade Show Essentials: The All-Inclusive Checklist for Exhibitors
This is a checklist for Event Marketers.
Trade Show Planning Guide: Timeline & Checklist
This is a checklist for Event Marketers.
Build a Better Trade Show Image
This is a guide for Event Marketers about successful exhibiting.
Exhibit Design That Works
This is guide for Exhibit Designers about successful designs.
The Pre-show Checklist by Metro Exhibits
This is a checklist for Event Marketers.
The Post-Show Cheat Sheet by Metro Exhibits
This is a checklist for Event Marketers.
