Trade Show: an exhibition organized so that companies in a specific industry can showcase and demonstrate their new products and services. [wikipedia.com]

 PITTCON Conference 2007, McCormick Place, Chicago IL

http://www.pittcon.org/ 

A trade show can be either private or public. Trade shows are used as a marketing tool for participating companies. Shows can bring economic growth to the hosting city. Shows can vary from massive (automotive & aerospace) to small (gardening & college fairs). Chicago, Las Vegas and Orlando host a vast majority of US trade shows and expo events. There are over 2,500 trade shows held every year in the U.S. [wikipedia.com] Shows can last a few days or up to several weeks.

Trade Shows are usually held at a Convention Center (an indoor facility with large exhibit areas, supplemented by various sized meetings rooms). [IAAM Glossary]

 McCormick Convention Center, Chicago IL

 http://www.mccormickplace.com/facilities/facilities_01.html

A convention center can host trade shows in the Exhibit Hall (large room of contiguous flat floor space designed primarily for the presentation of exhibits associated with public or trade show).  [IAAM Glossary] 

 The Venetian Congress Center Meeting Hall, Sands Expo Las Vegas

http://www.venetianphoto.com/gallery/e_gallery.asp?page=5#

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_show

Web Site References:

http://www.tsnn.com

This web site list all the current and past trade shows and expos around the world.

http://www.tradeshowweek.com

This is a web link to one of the more known trade show magazines. It's full of trade show events and company news from different exhibit houses.

http://www.exhibitoronline.com

This is a link to another exhibitor magazine. It deals more with the politics and numbers of the trade shows industry.

http://meetingsnet.com/financialinsurancemeetings/news/meeting_hospitality_industry_leaders_petition_congress_092707/

This link has an interesting article. 70 U.S companies and organizations are hoping that congress passes the Travel Promotion Act 2007. This act would help generate millions from a non-profit organization that would promote international travel to the U.S.  

http://www.interbike.com/ib/index.jsp

This link is to Interbike, which is North America's largest bicycle trade event and show.