Was just thinking in the last day....

Is there a trade show where vendors that create these kind of software application can connect with potential customers?  are there potential vendors that might be out there, maybe a small time, unique company that you might find at a trade show, that you might not otherwise be aware of?  

Or how does a potential customer - such as yourself - become aware of a potential vendor? Is there a vendor that is willing to take a product and customize it to fit your needs and specs? If so, how would you go about finding such a vendor?

Just thinking....