[gonzo]

Originally Posted by rhetorical

JFK started a thread at the zoo about the future of trade shows. I am wondering if they are really necessary or just a hangover...pun intended...from a previous decade?
I have been to broadcasting trade shows in the past and they have always had new cameras, new standards, new toys to play with. A peek into the future. It seems that Porn shows all have the same "seminars" and always seem to be bragging about business being done. Its a monotonous litany. "Mainstream" trade shows talk less about business being done, because it just is. Stuff gets sold. Orders for new toys get taken and so on. This business has stuffed itself and the trade shows never had the acumen to peek into the future and help forge a path or change a direction or even really prepare anyone to cope with this cataclysmic change. It seems that they (the shows) never had any vision beyond the best blow job award or titties to touch.
So where is/was the value?

That thread is hilarious - in my opinion.
Large companies telling them to produce some ROI or they wont be there next year are ignored.

Im not sure which was more amusing... Cocaine Chris's ass kissing and glib ignorance of the business [did he really think that everyone bought he was a big baller in the unsold Presidential Suite?] or Helmys sheer arrogance and disdain for everyone in the thread - I guess he was mad no one was telling him early what kind of music they want to hear at the pool....

All these shows have a thin chance of remaining as they are. Large mainstream shows like InterOp and Comdex were wiped from the face of the earth - what makes you think either of these ass clowns can do what Interface couldnt? Hell when you have to move to a new office cuz you cant pay the rent on the old place is very telling.