TRADE FAIRS AND INNOVATION LABS

reflections about this articulation

Authors

Keywords:

Innovation, Trade fairs, Innovation labs, collaboration

Abstract

Objective: To discuss the potential articulation between innovation laboratories and trade fairs, examining how their integration can enhance continuous interaction, knowledge exchange, and innovation generation within business ecosystems.

Design/Method/Approach: A theoretical essay based on a selection of international literature on innovation laboratories and trade fairs. The selected texts were analyzed according to their relevance to the study’s guiding questions and conceptual intentions.

Originality/Relevance: The study introduces an underexplored connection between trade fairs and innovation laboratories, proposing that labs can serve as a complementary mechanism to strengthen innovation processes within trade fair environments.

Main Results/Findings:  Findings indicate that trade fairs have specific needs—such as sustained interaction, collaborative problem-solving, and knowledge exchange—that innovation laboratories are well-positioned to address. By operating together, fairs and labs can offer enhanced value to exhibitors and visitors through co-creation and innovative solution development.

Theoretical/Methodological Contributions/Implications: The essay advances the literature by presenting a conceptual rationale for integrating innovation laboratories into trade fair ecosystems, expanding theoretical discussions on innovation mechanisms associated with such events.

Social/Managerial Contributions: The insights generated support trade fair organizers and public policymakers in designing and implementing innovation laboratory initiatives within trade fairs, aiming to amplify their economic, social, and technological benefits.

Author Biographies

Débora Regina Schneider Locatelli, Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul

Graduada em Administração pela Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina (Unoesc). Mestre em Administração pela Universidade de Caxias do Sul (UCS). Mestrado em Relações Internacionais para o Mercosul pela Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina (UNISUL). Doutora em Administração pela Universidade Municipal de São Caetano do Sul (USCS). Professora Adjunta da Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul (UFFS).

Magnus Luiz Emmendoerfer, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

Doutor em Ciências Humanas: Sociologia e Políticas pela Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Possui Pós-Doutorado em Administração Pública, Turismo e Empreendedorismo pelas Universidades do Minho, Algarve e Évora (Portugal) e em Políticas Públicas pelas Universidades de Tilburg e Breda (Holanda). Professor do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Administração da Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV). Professor do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Turismo e Patrimônio da Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP). Líder do Grupo de Pesquisa em Gestão e Desenvolvimento de Territórios Criativos (GDTeC). Coordenador Geral da Cátedra UNESCO em Economia Criativa e Políticas Públicas.

Thiago Chagas de Almeida, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

Graduado em Administração Pública pela Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense (UENF). Mestre em Administração pela Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES). Doutorando em Administração na Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV). Membro do Grupo de Pesquisa em Gestão e Desenvolvimento de Territórios Criativos (GDTeC/UFV).

Alessandro Carlos da Silva Junior, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

Graduado em Administração pela Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV). Mestre em Administração pela Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV). Doutorando em Administração na Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV). Membro do Grupo de Pesquisa em Gestão e Desenvolvimento de Territórios Criativos (GDTeC/UFV).

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Published

2025-11-12

How to Cite

Regina Schneider Locatelli, D., Luiz Emmendoerfer, M., Chagas de Almeida, T., & da Silva Junior, A. C. (2025). TRADE FAIRS AND INNOVATION LABS: reflections about this articulation. Brazilian Journal of Management and Innovation (Revista Brasileira De Gestão E Inovação), 1(1). Retrieved from https://sou.ucs.br/etc/revistas/index.php/RBGI/article/view/14185

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Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026): (January-April)

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RBGI Articles

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