If your experiences have shown that trade show participation helps you find and maintain customers as well as keep you and your colleagues current on new technologies, then you'll want to plan for 2008 if you haven't already. The choices (by date soonest to latest):

Technology for Construction
Jan. 21-25, Las Vegas, Nev.
In just a couple of week, this event will showcase the technology, tools and solutions for seamless collaboration and communication during building. Booths will provide data on all the materials and services needed for construction.

TexWorld USA
Jan. 22-24, New York, N.Y.
This show, later this month, will bring together manufacturers and buyers, as well as designers and retailers. Many types of textiles will be on display including functional fabrics.

ALA Lab Automation
Jan. 27-30, Palm Springs, Calif.
This exhibition covers the biotechnology and lab automation industries. Booths will offer information on antibody technology, cell culture technology, cloning technology, genomics, proteomics, biosensor technology, bioinformatics, drug discovery and development, tissue engineering technology, DNA and protein chip technology, diagnostics, analytical instrumentation, lab automation equipment, laboratory equipment and consumables, contract research and manufacturing services.

Medical Device & Manufacturing West
Jan. 29-31, Anaheim, Calif.
Known as MD&M West, visitors can learn about computer-aided design (CAD), manufacturing, new materials, assembly, robots and other automation devices, specialized packaging, IT products, services, validation systems and services for medical-device manufacturers.

WestPack 2008
Jan. 29-31, Anaheim, Calif.
This show will offer visitors the latest cutting-edge technologies for processing and packaging, parts, services, software, automation products, materials, containers and more.

Pacific Design & Manufacturing Show
Jan. 29-31, Anaheim, Calif.
For visitors seeking components and other products, as well as manufacturing resources, this show will help you find the latest innovations and services.

Informex USA
Jan. 29-Feb. 1, New Orleans, La.
This show was created for visitors interested in fine and specialty chemicals, custom and toll manufacturing, chemical process technology/licensing, intermediates, contract research, testing, equipment, instrumentation and information services.

10th Annual Customer Experience Conference
Feb. 25-27, Phoenix, Ariz.
This conference assists those seeking profit through design of the customer experience and value gained. Learn about streamlining operations and managing positioning.

Central Valley Plant Engineering & Facilities Maintenance Show
March 12-13, Modesto, Calif.
Attendees will see providers of plant, building and grounds, and maintenance products and services for industrial end-users to keep their facilities and operations running safely, smoothly and efficiently.

Wood Technology Clinic & Show
March 12-14, Portland, Ore.
Attendees should find this a good resource for equipment, machinery, services and technology. Specifically, visitors can see blades and knives, boring, combining, copying, cutting and dowelling machines, dryers, dust control equipment, trimmers, fastening systems, gluing and fixing machines, laminators, lathes, molding machines, plywood manufacturing, sawing machines, tool sharpening machines, veneer slices and more.

SouthPack 2008
March 19-20, Charlotte, N.C.
Visitors can view today's technologies for packaging and manufacturing including parts, materials and containers, as well as services for processing and automating through software and robots.

IEEE RFID
April 16-17, Las Vegas, Nev.
Visit this event to discuss technologies, systems, networks and applications that support the development and adoption of radio frequency-based wireless communications and identification systems. In addition to applications, expect IEEE RFID 2008 to address the technical and policy challenges in the areas of radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies and their supporting large-scale distributed information systems.

OEM New England
April 30-May 1, Boston, Mass.
Including the Medical OEM Suppliers Show, Design & Manufacturing New England, NEPCON East and Assembly New England, this'll cover engineering, automation technology, CAD and manufacturing, contract manufacturing and services, rapid prototyping, production machinery, material handling, lasers, motors and drives, networking, enterprise IT, electronics, components, materials, quality systems and more.

93rd Annual ISM Conference & Educational Exhibit
May 4-7, 2008, St. Louis, Mo.
During four days of supply management training and education, find out from successful practitioners and experts in the field what works, who is best-in-class and how to gain a competitive advantage. Workshops will include such topics as lean supply management, sustainability and green strategies, and the future of supply management.

International Powder & Bulk Solids Conference/Exhibition
May 5-8, Rosemont, Ill.
This conference/exhibition was designed for processing engineers, production engineers, plant managers and operations managers who process, handle, package, transport, test and store dry particulates and bulk solids from a broad range of industries.

Rapid Exposition
May 20-22, Detroit, Mich.
This expo is for manufacturers involved with design, prototyping, tooling and direct manufacturing technologies. Visitors can check on new materials and machinery, compare processes, talk with industry experts and make valuable contacts.

Medical Device & Manufacturing East
June 2-5, New York, N.Y.
On display: the latest advances in medical-grade materials, components, electronics, CAD and manufacturing, production and automation machinery, packaging, quality systems, device communications, networking, enterprise IT, contract manufacturing/services and more.

EastPack 2008
June 3-5, New York, N.Y.
This show will provide a look at the latest advances in packaging, including: machinery and machinery components, containers, materials, custom automation technology, services, software, robotics and much more.

East Coast Maritime Conference
June 3-5, Savannah, Ga.
Formerly the China Trade & Logistics Conference, here logistics, management, best practices, data analysis, trends and intelligence are among the topics discussed in a practical way to help attendees work efficiently and raise productivity.

Atlantic Design & Manufacturing Show
June 3-5, New York, N.Y.
The latest advances in engineering, production and automation machinery, lasers, motors and drives, packaging, rapid prototyping, components, electronics, CAD/CAM, quality systems, networking, enterprise IT, contract manufacturing/services and more.

Progressive Manufacturing Summit 2008
June 10-12, Las Vegas, Nev.
Check out this show where the industry's most distinguished leaders in innovation will share their ideas, experiences and results, and where visitors will discuss and debate the newest strategies needed to achieve manufacturing success.

Quality Expo
June 11-12, Novi, Mich.
The Quality Expo show and conference covers quality and provides hand-on access to new tools and a wide range of technologies to help attendees raise quality, improve process efficiency and compete globally.

IMPAX Congress 2008
June 23-25, Phoenix, Ariz.
IMPAX Congress 2008 will focus on optimizing operations, leading the staff, managing employees, lean manufacturing, six sigma, energy management, green processes, gathering business intelligence and more.

IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show
Sept. 8-13, Chicago, Ill.
It's all about the many technologies, materials and services relating to making products in the United States.

8th World Congress Nanocomposites 2008
Sept. 15-17, San Diego, Calif.
Attendees will have an opportunity to learn about new nanotechnology sciences, especially polymeric nanocomposites. Moreover, international leaders from academia, national laboratories and industry will discuss the most important new events in the rapidly expanding science and technology of nanocomposites.

National Manufacturing Week
Sept. 22-25, Rosemont, Ill.
Information regarding the 2008 Conference Program will be posted in July 2008.

Medical Device & Manufacturing Midwest
Sept. 23-25, Rosemont, Ill.
Now, for the first time, exhibitors will connect with hundreds of Midwest medical device producers. The MD&M Midwest attendee campaign will reach more than 40,000 pre-qualified medical original equipment manufacturers (OEM).

This roundup only includes tradeshows in the U.S., but there will be myriad opportunities this year to meet industry experts and discuss brand-new developments all over the world, including in Dubai, Beijing and Dusseldorf, among many others. A good place to start researching is BizTradeShows.com for its massive directory of trade fairs and business events for various industries worldwide. There you can also search for exhibitions, expositions, conferences and seminars by your specific industry.

And if you do make it to any notable shows this year, don't forget to let us know what new technologies and industry developments you see emerging!