A rising number of trade shows are opting to co-locate with other events, proving the adage that there is strength in numbers. The idea comes from the desire of event organizers to add value to their shows and continuously evolve and adapt their event to its audience. For the office technology industry, this evolution is even more critical. With the industry expanding from traditional office equipment dealers to now include managed services providers, co-located events at industry shows allow for a more diverse cross-section of the industry and increase partnership opportunities for both vendors and re-sellers.

One show taking this idea to the next level is the Imaging and Technology Education Exposition (ITEX). Their 2017 show hosted six co-located events that contributed an additional five hundred attendees. These attendees spanned the Service and Supplies sector, Managed Print Services industry, Software and Solutions industry, and included the traditional Office Equipment Manufacturer.

For vendors, co-located events open the door for more revenue through the addition of other business solutions. With potential partners on the show floor, vendors can easily network with a broad range of businesses. The events provide an arena for growth unparalleled in the industry. Both co-located event attendees and host event attendees have access to industry education. This is a particular boon to co-located event attendees, as they have access to education that spans industry trends and managed service topics. Traditional attendees gain access to the co-located event itself, which offers niche education and networking opportunities with experienced resellers. All around, co-locating in this industry is a win-win.

The ITEX show is keeping their momentum and success with co-locations going as they welcome the Select Dealer Group (SDG) Financial Review Meeting as their latest 2018 partnered event. We look forward to the outcome of this partnership and others to come. The 2018 ITEX Show will be hosted at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, NV on May 15th – 17th. For more information on the show, please visit www.itexshow.com.