Independent / Boutique Show
The Eye Ball
Palm Springs, CA, USA
The Eye Ball calls itself the "anti-trade show" — a showcase combined with continuing education and hands-on workshops, run at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs with a genuine social/nightlife component.
It grew fast: from roughly 80 exhibitors at its January 2025 debut to over 200 brands the following year.
What to Expect on the Floor
The Eye Ball brands itself the "anti-trade show," and the label reflects a real structural difference: it combines a showcase floor with continuing education and hands-on workshops, plus a genuine social and nightlife component with evening events at the venue — rather than the standard "exhibit hall by day, own your own evening" format.
History & Growth
The Eye Ball debuted in January 2025 with roughly 80 exhibitors and grew to over 200 brands the following year. That rapid growth means meaningfully more to see than in its debut year — and for brands weighing whether to exhibit, a show that is still establishing its ceiling, which can mean more room to stand out than at a larger, more saturated event.
Upcoming Editions
Frequently Asked Questions
What's different about The Eye Ball compared to a normal trade show?
It's explicitly built as a social experience alongside the show floor — hands-on workshops, continuing education, and evening events at the Ace Hotel, rather than a purely transactional exhibit hall.
When is The Eye Ball held?
Winter, typically mid-to-late February, at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs.
Should I go to The Eye Ball or the New York shows (EYECON / The Frame Affair)?
They don't compete for the same trip — The Eye Ball runs in winter (mid-to-late February) in Palm Springs, while EYECON and The Frame Affair cluster together in New York each spring. The Eye Ball also differs in format, pairing a showcase floor with continuing education, workshops, and evening social events at the Ace Hotel.
How much has The Eye Ball grown since it started?
It debuted in January 2025 with roughly 80 exhibitors and grew to over 200 brands the following year — more than double in one cycle.
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