Trade shows are excellent business opportunities. Your upcoming event should occur in a space big enough to hold all participating brands while leaving room for visitors. Learning how to reserve a space for a trade show in Pennsylvania will help you find the best venues across the state.
Here are the top options for your upcoming show, regardless of your industry or event dates.
What to look for in trade show venues
Before comparing places for your trade show, consider what you want from the space. Event planners look for venues that are easy to find, spacious and affordable. You should also think about your show layout. Will visitors need extra room to peruse booths? Do any participants need outdoor space?
Included amenities are crucial to consider before narrowing down your options. If you're paying for a venue, you should get more than an empty area to set up tables. Restrooms, parking, Wi-Fi and additional features specific to your selected location will make your show more appealing. You may get more business participation and visitors if your venue meets everyone's needs.
Best trade show spaces in Pennsylvania
Start your search for the top trade show spaces in the state by checking out Pennsylvania's best locations. You'll have an excellent experience once you reserve your dates with venue owners who are experienced in coordinating large events.
1. Spooky nook meetings & events
Business owners love booking Spooky Nook Meetings & Events for trade shows. The Manheim location has on-site rooms for participants who need to stay overnight before or after your event. They won't have to leave for meals because Spook Nook provides on-site catering with personalized menus. Arrange your attendees' preferences after booking your dates to ensure everyone has food that meets their dietary needs.
You can arrange attendee tables in any traffic flow. Spooky Nook provides 700,000 square feet with audio, visual and lighting equipment for custom space usage. Team-building recreational activities are available as well. If participating brands want their employees to build stronger connections, they can enjoy some fun before and after the event.
2. Pennsylvania convention center
The Pennsylvania Convention Center is one of the largest trade show spaces in the state. Participants can set up booths throughout the Grand Hall, ballrooms and exhibit halls. People can easily access the center because it's downtown. Anyone can ride the bus or metro to your trade show, but a 540-car parking garage is also available. The venue is also close to the Philadelphia International Airport, perfect for participants flying in from out of town.
3. Blair county convention center
Blair County Convention Center is one of the easiest places to reach in the middle of Pennsylvania. Located halfway between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, the mountainside venue is off the main highway for easy access. Indoor and outdoor spaces are available for your show, plus an in-house team is ready to assist with setup and take-down.
To reserve Blair County Convention Center, complete a contact form, send an email or make a quick phone call. You can ask about details like the center's nearby hotels before reserving a room block for your show participants. The staff's highly rated customer service skills help manage any event planning challenges.
4. Bayfront convention center
Anyone looking for an event in Erie can consider the Bayfront Convention Center. Business owners often use the venue for employee training, conferences and trade shows. You'll get a waterfront view that makes any of the on-site hotel rooms an excellent place to stay. The Bayfront Convention Center also has numerous staff members who welcome guests, direct traffic, check coats and even run box offices. You'll have ample support for whatever your show will need on the event date.
5. Kalahari resorts & conventions
Make your event a getaway to the Poconos with Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. The venue has numerous on-site amenities to maximize your trade show schedule. Set up tables in the main ballroom or expand into the nearby junior ballrooms. You'll have plenty of natural lighting, walking space, and free parking for visitors and participants.
While you're reserving space for a trade show in Pennsylvania, remember to look for teams that will support your setup and take-down processes. Kalahari Resorts & Conventions managers direct team members to help make the ballroom event-ready. They'll also assist with loading everything back into each participant's vehicle so every step of your trade show runs smoothly.
6. Lancaster county convention center
Lancaster County Convention Center is a historic venue in Pennsylvania. It has decades of experience hosting trade shows and other big events within its spacious, elegant walls. Arrange customized menus for your participants so buffet options are ready when they arrive. Attendees will easily find the downtown Lancaster center and its numerous nearby parking garages.
7. York expo center
If you want to combine a mountainside setting with space for a trade show in Pennsylvania, contact the York Expo Center. The 87-acre property has bright green fields and views of rolling mountains. Every York Expo Center building has doors measuring 16 by 16 feet, so you can easily unload big trucks and large equipment.
Your participants and attendees will also have the best health-focused amenities, preventing illnesses from spreading at your trade show. The venue uses UVGI air filtration systems to stop viruses during big events. People will also enjoy the extra parking, beautiful views and fast Wi-Fi.
8. David L. Lawrence convention center
Pittsburgh is an excellent place for trade shows because it's home to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Event planners reserve the sprawling venue for its column-free event space and flexible floor layout capabilities. The venue is also close to the Pittsburgh International Airport and numerous downtown hotels.
If you prefer environmentally-friendly amenities, the David L. Lawrence Convention Center provides those too. On-site recycling is available, and any requested catering will use locally grown produce to reduce your trade show's environmental impact. The convention center's team members can also help suggest sustainable ways to host your event, like using nearby print shops for ordering signage that doesn't require shipping.
Reserve a space for a trade show in Pennsylvania
Once you know how to reserve a space for a trade show, you'll feel more confident while browsing Pennsylvania's best venues. Consider how much room you'll need, your budget and the amenities that would make your event even more enjoyable. You'll know which place is right for your event once you contact the venue owners for more information about your selected dates.
