If you are attending the 2010 Exhibitor’s Show in Las Vegas later on this month (March 14-18), drop me a line or give me a call. Maybe we can connect.

I’ll be reporting from the classes and events via this blog and it’s brother (The Relentless Networker). Let’s compare notes and maybe share project ideas. Read More...

One of the best ways to get a sense of what is going on in our industry (and that of our clients’) is to walk a show floor.

I will be at the HeliExpo on Sunday, February 21, at the George Brown Convention Center in Houston. The show opens tomorrow and runs through Tuesday. Read More...

OK, so we’re all agreed that social media networking is here to stay and in control of our attention right now.

Does that mean we abandon trade shows? Quite the contrary. Read More...

It’s been said before about the trade show and convention industry: it is a multi-billion-dollar industry that people know about–or understand.

Let’s take our current US President. It seems Mr. Obama doesn’t understand just how influential a few words can be when he says not to blow your money in Vegas.” The last time I was on the show floor at the LVCC the labor was still cursing the Chief Exec for his swipe at banks holding business meetings in Sin City. From what I heard, after Mr O’s comments, the bank (I believe it was Wells Fargo or Citi) took their meeting to San Francisco–and spent more money. 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...

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...

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...