Today I am presenting to AAF-Abilene on the 1-2-3 of trade shows. It’s a Q&A session to discuss the value of face-to-face marketing.

TTSG Read More...

As a follow up to my earlier post about shows fleeing cities: here is a list from a recent LinkedIn discussion by trade show professionals on the 5 best and worst cities to work in:

From and exhibitor or exhibit house point of view list the TOP 5 MOST DIFFICULT cities to work in: Read More...

In this morning’s Dallas Morning News, columnist Steve Blow makes a good case for a city coming together to earn and keep trade show and convention business.

With the northern and largest metro areas of the country either pricing or “ruding” themselves out of the business, Dallas gets a big chance this weekend to win over some of this moving business with the annual Professional Convention Management Association event. Read More...

OK, Lee Knight and company in Rochester–what’s with flooding my mailbox with advance literature?

In the past week I have received no less than four Exhibitor Show guides, two in one day yesterday. Now, I really do intend to register and go to this event, but I really only need one book. Read More...

You hear it every day: trade shows and conferences are dying. No one wants to travel, they are expensive to put on, people buy differently.

Really? Read More...

It is interesting how trade shows are still not dead, despite the increased use of social and/or new media. Take the recent NBAA show from last fall in Orlando.

Emily Feliz of Avionics Magazine reported in a recent Editor’s Note that while the show itself, from a traditional perspective, was down, the emergence of a spirit of connectivity prevailed.  As she notes that while space went empty and numbers of attendees and exhibitors had declined from previous years, there was a spirit of connectivity in the hall. Read More...

These five basic points are good guide to having a success show and show program. Reminds me of the 5 tips my doctor gave me for basic health.

1. Pick the right shows. Do your homework by walking the show, reading stats from the promoter, talking to other exhibitors and visitors to the show.
2. Create an attention-getting display. Make sure your graphics are simple but with a clear message and not complicated. Pay attention to how products are displayed and how traffic flows in the space and the hall.
3. Prepare staff. Set realistic goals and objectives for them. Give them training and the messages you want conveyed.
4. Qualify prospects. Don’t just collect names and numbers–identify people who can make or influence buying decisions.
5. Follow up. Both with leads and by having an internal post-mortem meeting to see what worked and what didn’t.

Numbers 3 and 4 remind of the old axiom “you should be able to do this on a bare piece of concrete…” Read More...

There is no denying it: it is expensive to produce and attend trade shows and conferences.

From the Chicago newspaper, this story (http://tinyurl.com/yfqyxq5) points out what we all knew was coming to the Northern and Eastern cities: your labor costs and rules are killing marketing budgets and the desire of businesses to use trade shows in their mix. Read More...

It’s that time again: the Exhibitor’s Show in Las Vegas.

Not one to hype things, I do have a soft spot for this event. You can be certified and network all in one place–and that place is Vegas, the ultimate trade show city. Read More...

Our colleague, Kimberly Williamson of Aviall, just returned from the Dubai Air show in the United Arab Emirates. She brought back these photos of the show.

The stand was crafted by Two Heads, an exhibit provider in The UAE and London.  It relies on the backwall graphics and a few display cabinets to tell the story.  Like most international shows, it had substantial meeting space and a notable reception area. Read More...