In Conversation with Vince Battaglia, President & CEO, TheTradeshowCalendar.com

Vince Battaglia produces and maintains online, private-labelled Global and National Trade Show Directories for dozens of suppliers, associations and media groups in the exhibition industry. His career in the trade show industry began 35 years ago at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, and since the,n he has had several sales positions for Octanorm, Cort Trade Show Furnishings, beMatrix and TWI Logistics. Vince Battaglia Trade shows remain irreplaceably human, despite digital hype. Vince Battaglia says that virtual events and AI experiments since COVID proved limited for true deal-making. Physical shows rebounded quickly because buyers and sellers need trust, tactile product evaluation, and real conversations to commit to complex purchases. AI may enhance design, discovery, and promotion, but it cannot replace face-to-face relationship-building. Data accuracy and discoverability now shape industry growth. Vince highlights how fragmented, outdated show listings undermine exhibitor and attendee planning, while comprehensive, verified calendars unlock new market entry. Exhibitors also seek smaller regional and international shows they didn’t know existed. Reliable directories become crucial in such circumstances. Geopolitical shifts are redirecting supply flows and supply chains. Tariffs and trade uncertainty are pushing exhibitors and buyers to seek alternative suppliers and markets, changing where people exhibit and attend. This fragmentation creates both disruption and opportunity—new shows, near-shoring themes, and regional hubs emerging as companies reconfigure global sourcing strategies. Run time – 00:45:36 Links for Subhanjan  [email protected]  https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhanjansarkar