It was a busy weekend for the Denver Convention Center as the American Library Association and the International Sportsmen’s Exposition occupied almost every inch of the 2.2 million gross square feet of exhibit space, meeting room, ballroom space and a theatre the downtown center offers.

Two completely distinct trade shows, serving unique sections of their respective industries occupy and working together in one of the larger convention halls in the nation. However, the only thing these shows have in common is portioned wall that separates the 600,000 square feet on convention floor the two shows share.

Most outsiders wouldn’t be able to differentiate between the two shows, but the differences are considerable to those who are familiar with the trade show industry. The American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting is what is known as an industry show, while the International Sportsmen’s Exposition is known as a consumer trade show.

A consumer show attracts customers, while industry shows attract who work in the trade. An expanded definition could be that businesses come to an industry show to better its products through innovations and trends, in turn being able to make its products better. Consumer shows are where people will come to see the latest in what companies have to sell.

Another distinctive difference between the two shows it that industry shows tend to have speakers, conferences and other areas where the exchange of ideas transpire. Consumer shows usually tend to draw larger groups of the public sector.