Trade shows are powerful opportunities for businesses to showcase their products, network with potential clients, and establish a strong brand presence.

Asia is expecting to host around 1,000 trade shows in 2025, with the main regions centered around:

• China (Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen)

• Japan (Tokyo, Osaka)

• South Korea (Seoul)

• India (New Delhi, Mumbai)

• Singapore (Marina Bay Sands, Expo & Convention Centres)

Some of the huge events include GITEX Asia, which will be hosted in Asia for the first time, Sushi Tech Tokyo, ComeUp 2025, SWITCH 2025, and many more.

Expected ROI from Trade Show Participation

While the costs of exhibiting can be substantial, the potential returns make trade shows a worthwhile investment when done correctly. Here’s how businesses can measure their expected ROI:

1. Lead Generation & Conversion

Trade shows provide direct access to decision-makers, shortening sales cycles. Depending on the industry and event size, typical conversion rates from trade show leads range from 5% to 20%, with high-value B2B deals often emerging months later.

2. Brand Awareness & Industry Positioning

Even if immediate sales do not occur, brand recognition leads to future business opportunities.

3. Partnerships & Networking

Companies can form strategic partnerships with vendors, distributors, and industry influencers. Networking with competitors and market leaders can open doors to collaborations and insights.

4. Direct Sales & Customer Acquisition

Many trade show attendees are in active buying mode, leading to on-the-spot sales. Best case scenarios lead to bulk orders or contracts signed on-site.

5. Long-Term Business Growth

Trade shows contribute to long-term sales pipelines, with deals closing weeks or months after the event.

Here's the common theme: many of the expected ROIs occur months after the trade show.

A webinar that helps you plan out your contact management journey so you score a bullseye on all of your ROIs

​Are you following up with those cold leads that might not be ready during your first meeting at the trade show? Many of them are probably forgotten if not collated or categorized properly.

Whether you’re a first-time exhibitor or a seasoned pro, you’ll walk away with actionable tactics to boost your trade show ROI.

​Special Guest Speakers

1. ​Alex Ando Michaelson, Kinsta
   Partnerships & Community Manager, APAC
   About: Kinsta is a hosting platform focusing specifically on WordPress, with a fast, secure, managed hosting offering.
   
   

2. ​Marta Allina, Start2
   Group Program Director, South Korea
   About: Start2 group is a premier startup ecosystem platform that serves as the ultimate destination for growth-oriented startups, corporations, investors, and governments.

​Moderator

1. ​Brenda Lee, REALIZER AI
   Global Market Developer, APAC
   About: REALIZER AI helps optimize networking opportunities by streamlining contact management through lead prioritization, categorization, and automation.

​Why should you join this talk?

1. ​Earn meaningful tips on how to attain contacts and follow up effectively at trade shows

2. ​Learn how to prioritize and manage high-potential contacts

3. ​Understand which tools and channels (WhatsApp, Email, LinkedIn) work best by region

4. ​See how lightweight solutions like REALIZER can help streamline your follow-ups

5. ​Walk away with a practical action plan for your next event

   
   

Final Thoughts

Trade shows are a significant investment, but with careful planning, they can yield substantial returns. Businesses that strategically allocate resources, engage attendees effectively, and follow up diligently can see ROI that far exceeds their initial expenditure. The key is to view trade shows as part of a broader marketing and sales strategy, ensuring that every dollar spent contributes to meaningful business growth.

Would you like to optimize your trade show strategy for maximum ROI? Let’s discuss how to make your next event a success!