Some are charity events while others serve to increase public appreciation for handcrafted items. Serious collectors of handcrafted items, families looking for entertainment, and buyers for art galleries might be found at the same event. Broad categories of merchandise are usually represented, such as art and collectibles, clothing and accessories, furniture, and home furnishings. Trade shows are organized at the wholesale level by promoters. Therefore, only owners of shops or their representatives can attend.
Some trade shows are open to the public for a brief period, however.
Rather than offering merchandise in several broad categories, a trade show is organized around a specific category such as holiday wear, children's clothing, or gifts. As a result, buyers are exposed to great depth in the merchandise displayed. This is quite different from a fair, which offers breadth but may have little depth. Wholesale buyers are serious buyers who represent many consumers. They travel to trade shows from great distances, even across country.