Looking for the best trade show management company to handle your next expo?
Finding the right partner to manage your trade show can make all the difference for your event.
Whether you’re leaning towards a nationally known exhibitor service or a local specialist, the key is choosing a team that has the inventory, equipment, and expertise to handle all the moving parts.
To make your search easier, we’ve put together a list of the top trade show management companies that can help you create a successful show.
Curious to learn more? Let’s dive in.
Top 8 Tradeshow Management Companies
We’ve rounded up the top 8 trade show management companies based on their expertise and proven ability to handle events of all sizes and budgets.
Each company brings something unique to the table—whether it’s strong logistics management, creative booth designs, or comprehensive exhibitor support—making them reliable partners for any trade show or expo.
Here’s our top 8 picks:
- Alliance — A go-to choice for us
- Freeman — A major player you often see in the hotel and convention space
- GES — Known for their large-scale solutions
- A-Booth — A strong European option
- Expo Event Services — Solid support and setup
- Blue Hive — Creative and innovative booth designs
- Abex Exhibits — Focused on quality exhibits
- Slate 360 — Trade show solutions for healthcare professionals
Let’s break down what makes each of these companies stand out.
1. Alliance
Alliance Exposition is a top expo management choice for events that are hosted at hotels, offering a variety of services to help ensure your tradeshow runs smoothly.
With a dedicated team of over 400 employees, they’re available in more than 1,000 locations and hotels across the U.S. They have a central office in the Washington, D.C. area, plus another in the UK for their European operations.
What really sets Alliance apart is their impressive track record—they’ve helped pull off over 5,000 events with trade shows and expos. With their know-how, resources, and support, they’re ready to make your next event a success.
Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
Instagram: allianceexpositions
LinkedIn: Alliance Nationwide Exposition
What clients does Alliance work with?
Fleetpride, ACE Summit 2024, COExperience + MSBE Cyber Systems Symposium, Financial Managers Society
What services does Alliance offer?
Floor planning and design, show production and planning, on-site support and shipping, exhibitor management, exhibitor furniture rental, and material handling services
Who is Alliance best for?
Alliance is the go-to tradeshow management company for businesses looking to host expos at hotels.
We often partner with Alliance at major hotel venues when hosting large conferences and corporate events.
2. Freeman
Freeman is an excellent expo management partner with nearly 100 years of experience in the event management industry. They’ve successfully managed expos ranging from just a few hundred exhibitors to thousands.
One expo event they recently supported was the National Restaurant Association Show which gathered food service professionals, featuring over 2,300 exhibitors spread across 11 football fields of space.
Freeman handles everything from standard freight and electrical setups to hanging signs and general installations. They even tackle specialized challenges like refrigeration, running water, and exhibitor placement.
Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
Instagram: freemancompany
LinkedIn: Freeman Company
What clients does Freeman work with?
FreightWaves, eBay Motors, Link-Belt, and the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE)
What services does Freeman offer?
Expo management, transportation, exhibitor booth rentals, customer support, installation and dismantling, exhibitor education
Who is Freeman best for?
Freeman is an excellent pick for busy companies needing a reliable, full-service expo management partner to take all the logistics off their plates.
3. GES
GES is a global leader in exhibition and trade show management, providing tailored solutions for events of all sizes.
Their all-inclusive logistics services cover everything from picking up your shipment and storing it at the advance warehouse to ensuring priority delivery to the venue and managing operations on-site.
With a friendly and approachable team of experts, GES offers best-in-class show services, making them a trusted partner for trade show excellence worldwide. They cater to organizers, agencies, and exhibitors across the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East.
US Headquarters: Las Vegas, Nevada
Instagram: ges_global
LinkedIn: GES- Global Experience Specialists
What clients does GES work with?
American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week, Natural Products Expo West, and Global Pet Expo
What services does GES offer?
Experiential strategy, booth creative and design, sponsorship consulting, floor plan development, labor management, electrical services, rigging, shipping and logistics
Who is GES best for?
GES Events is an excellent option for anyone looking to host top-tier expos in multiple locations around the globe.
They’re known for their large-scale solutions and maintain a consistent standard of excellence across various countries.
This means you can count on them to deliver the same high-quality experience, no matter where your event takes place.
4. A-Booth
A-Booth offers comprehensive support for trade shows, conferences, and exhibitors across Europe, overseeing the entire booth construction process from initial design to final execution. They utilize high-quality modular stand construction materials sourced directly from their own inventory.
One standout feature of A-Booth is their commitment to sustainability. They’re on a mission to be the leading sustainable expo management company in the EU, always looking for ways to incorporate eco-friendly practices into their projects.
EU Headquarters: Oostzaan, Noord-Holland
LinkedIn: A-Booth
What clients does A-Booth work with?
Nanostring, BGI, Celemics, 10x Genomics, Content Everywhere, Fluresk, G-Maxx
What services does A-Booth offer?
Booth creation, installation design, layout planning, entrance areas, signing, functional space creation, transportation
Who is A-Booth best for?
A-Booth is the ideal choice for hosting expos or tradeshows in Europe, particularly if you’re seeking a partner dedicated to sustainability.
They specialize in creating events that prioritize minimal environmental impact, making them an excellent option for eco-conscious organizers.
5. Expo Event Services
Expo Event Services is your all-in-one solution for standard trade shows and exhibitions. Their team can provide the labor, services, and equipment you need for your next expo, conference, or special event.
With experience in design, CAD, graphics, show floor support, event management, and general contracting, they know how to pull off successful expo events while keeping an eye on your budget.
US Headquarters: New York, New York
LinkedIn: Expo Event Services
What services does Expo Event Services offer?
CAD Design / Floor Plan Management, cleaning, floor covering, furnishings, installation and dismantling, material handling, graphics and signage, shipping and storage, and exhibitor services
Who is Expo Event Services best for?
Expo Event Services is a great choice for companies looking for reliable trade show management while staying mindful of their budget. They provide solid support and setup, making the process stress-free for you.
6. Blue Hive
BlueHive Exhibits is a creative expo management company that helps brands craft engaging environments and experiences. They pride themselves on connecting with their customers and making a real impact—whether on the event floor, on the road, or back at home base.
They offer turnkey management services for trade shows and events, supporting over 150 active clients and handling around 1,000 events each year worldwide.
Their ‘one-stop-shop’ management approach ensures cost efficiencies for your event marketing and trade show programs.
US Headquarters: Worcester, MA
Instagram: bluehiveinc
LinkedIn: BlueHive Exhibits
What clients does Blue Hive work with?
Shimano, LastPass, Catalyst, shopmonkey, PlanetFitness, Yamaha, and Flexcon
Take a look at their detailed event calendar to discover which shows they’ll be supporting, where they’ll be, and who they’re partnering with!
What services does Blue Hive offer?
Trade show design and build, Architectural millwork. custom expo booth rentals, show management and logistics coordination, exhibit/booth design (consultative 3D), experiential marketing, in-booth activities, and interactive media.
Who is Blue Hive best for?
Blue Hive is the best partner for companies looking for a creative and innovative touch in expo booth design.
They consider themselves your full-service partner for trade show booths, exhibits, events, and interiors, but what really sets them apart is their talent for bringing a fresh, imaginative approach to the table.
7. Abex Exhibits
Abex Exhibits brings over 35 years of experience in engineering and innovation to ensure your trade show presentation is both high-visibility and high-quality, meeting all your event demands.
They manage every aspect of your trade show around the clock, working behind the scenes to ensure everything is show-ready. From booth rental to setup and teardown, their team of experts is there for you every step of the way.
US Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
Instagram: abexexhibits
LinkedIn: ABEX EXHIBITS
What clients does Abex Exhibits work with?
NASA, TMZ, Ardell, Organic Girl, Bandai Namco, Cheesecake Factory, and Nex Health,
What services do Abex Exhibits offer?
Expo design and planning, transportation, shipping, on-site support, graphic design, and ideation.
Who is Abex Exhibits best for?
Abex Exhibits is the best expo management partner for companies wanting to host high-quality trade shows. They collaborate with Fortune 1000 brands to create outstanding expo events, ensuring that quality is never compromised.
8. Slate360
Slate360 is an expo management company that focuses on creating unique exhibit experiences just for healthcare organizers. They offer custom exhibit design and production, plus options for rental, modular, hybrid, and portable exhibits.
What really makes them stand out from typical trade show companies is their expertise in handling the intricate details of healthcare and science booths. They’ll help you define your goals and create immersive experiences that engage and drive your audience to take action.
US Headquarters: Las Vegas, Nevada
LinkedIn: Slate360
What clients does Slate360 work with?
Exelixis, Stryker, Biomarin, CMP Pharma, Urovant Sciences, Nanostring, and Acorda
What services does Slate360 offer?
Tradeshow design, experiential marketing, creative design, logistic execution, onsite execution, inventory management, exhibit structure storage, and refurbishment.
Who is Slate360 best for?
Slate360 is best suited for clients in the health science industry looking for creative and tailored exhibit experiences to engage their audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tradeshow management company?
A trade show or expo management company is a business that specializes in planning, organizing, and executing trade shows, expos, or similar large-scale events.
Their role is to handle everything from logistics and vendor coordination to booth design and on-site management.
They take on the heavy lifting so that exhibitors and organizers can focus on engaging with attendees and making the most of the event.
What services do trade show management companies offer?
Trade show and expo management companies provide a range of services, such as registration management, floor plan design, marketing and promotion, and even sponsorship opportunities.
Some companies, like Alliance and Freeman, specialize in large-scale services such as pipe and drape setup for the entire event, while others, like BlueHive and Abex Exhibits, focus on customized booth designs tailored to individual exhibitors.
Partnering with the right trade show management company can help your event run smoothly, ensure it looks polished, and leave a lasting impression on both attendees and exhibitors.
How do I choose the right trade show management company?
Choosing the right trade show management company depends on your event’s needs.
For large-scale events that require standardized setups, companies like GES and A-Booth are good choices.
- They specialize in services like pipe and drape setups and offer comprehensive logistical support to ensure smooth execution.
If you’re looking for something more tailored, BlueHive and Slate360 focus on creating customized solutions, such as bespoke booth designs and branded environments.
- These companies work closely with exhibitors to align every detail with their brand and marketing goals.
Understanding these differences can help you find the best fit for your event.
If you need guidance navigating your options, feel free to reach out—we’re here to help!
Are event managers and expo management companies the same thing?
No, they’re not the same.
An event management company, like GoGather, oversees the overall planning and coordination of an event, from logistics and scheduling to managing vendors.
An expo management company, on the other hand, specializes in the unique needs of trade shows and expos, such as designing and setting up booths, coordinating with exhibitors, and managing the show floor.
Think of it like this: your event manager is the big-picture planner who ensures everything is running smoothly, while the expo management company focuses on building and managing the exhibit space.
It’s similar to how your event manager wouldn’t handle A/V production or catering themselves—they’d bring in experts and help coordinate those details.
Ready to plan your next trade show or expo event?
GoGather has extensive experience in managing trade shows and expos, helping high-profile brands craft unforgettable experiences. We collaborate closely with you to ensure your event is not only engaging but also well-organized and efficient.
Whether you need support with logistics, booth design, or exhibitor management, we’re here to brainstorm and bring your vision to life. Let’s make your next trade show a success!
