United States trade shows

39 trade shows across the US. Tier 1 is where most export-oriented factories attend first. Tier 2 covers adjacent verticals (hospitality, contract, lighting design). Tier 3-5 cover specialty, closed wholesale markets, and regional gift/home markets.

Tier 1 - discount-channel critical

These are the eight shows that move product for the US off-price, dollar-store, and discount channel buyers. If you're an overseas factory trying to break into the US discount channel, Tier 1 is where you attend.

Tier 2 - adjacent verticals

Less critical for discount-channel entry but useful if you sell into adjacent verticals: hospitality design, contract / commercial specification, lighting design, contemporary furniture.

2027+ dates verified live. "Pending" means the operator has confirmed dates exist for 2027 but full dates aren't published yet. Date verification re-runs monthly.

IBS specifically - when to attend

The NAHB International Builders' Show targets home builders, contractors, remodelers, and multifamily developers. It is not a discount-channel show.

Attend IBS if:

• You sell into new-construction / building trades (Home Depot procurement, building supply distributors, multi-family developers)
• Your products are building materials, fixtures, or systems (not finished decor)
• You want to be exposed to contractor-grade buyers with volume purchasing

Skip IBS if:

• Your channel is closeout / off-price / retail consumer
• Your product is finished home decor, accents, or giftware
• You're looking for value-channel buyers (they're not here)

IBS is co-located with Design & Construction Week. The co-location means adjacent shows (architectural, kitchen, bath) also run that week. Useful if you sell across both new-construction and adjacent categories.

Tier 3 - specialty, US-anchored

Tier 4 - closed wholesale hardware markets

Five shows with closed (membership-based) access. To attend as a vendor, you must be invited by an existing vendor or member.

Tier 5 - regional US gift and home markets

Smaller-scale shows for regional independent retailers. Lower priority than Tier 1, useful for testing a regional market or following up Tier 1 leads in their home territory.

US show buying calendar

Most US trade shows run on a roughly bimonthly cycle aligned with the wholesale buying season. The big 5 buyer months are:

• January - Las Vegas Market, Heimtextil (US buyers fly in)
• February - NY NOW, Tupelo
• March - ASD, IHA, Hardlines, IBS
• April - High Point Spring
• August - ASD, NY NOW, Tupelo, High Point Fall / Las Vegas Market

Most factories do 2-3 US shows per year, often picking one each from Mar (ASD/IHA), Apr (High Point), and Aug (ASD).

What to know about US shows

• Booth cost is higher than Asia. A 10x10 booth at ASD is $6,000-9,000 all-in. At High Point, $10,000-20,000 for similar.
• Buyer expectations: retail-quality samples, professional booth staff, English-fluent. Not helpful to bring production-line samples.
• US buyers come to these shows with specific category buying plans. Pre-show outreach to set appointments is critical.
• Reebok / appointment-setting services are usually offered by the show organizers for international exhibitors.

For Chinese factories reading this

The Companion site "Facing China" covers the factory-side services that come with exhibiting at US shows: trademark filing in the US before you exhibit (so customs doesn't seize your branded goods), pre-shipment inspection, US compliance documentation.

See Show prep for the full list of what to bring and how to plan your visit.