To get back to the question: Are Trade Shows a Thing of the Past?
I don't think they are. But they will have to remodel themselves and drop out of the "more bling is more bucks" attitude that made the Vegas Internext shows something to stay away from.
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Originally Posted by Cleo
I didn't get the incredibly loud 2 Live Crew pool music. It wasn't just that I don't care for Hip Hop. It was so loud that my teeth were vibrating. Talking, as in trying to network, was impossible. I don't know... maybe I've just gotten old but it seems like the music should be kept down to a level that allows people to talk to each other.
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Has nothing to do with age... I was at that show, and that to me was a complete waste of networking time as well. Big loud boom-boom parties in clubs are the worst example of tradeshow overspending and wastes of time I can think of.
We learned from our own office parties at trade shows by overspending on a split up of space: one for dancing/party and one for talking/networking. Had a big light show and overpriced DJ at the back, and subdued mellow shop-talk room at the front... guess which paid off?
The back room was empty most of the night, but our front room was packed... shows are for schmoozing. You can stay home and be blinded and deafened at a disco for less, if that's what you're into.
But create an atmosphere where disparate people can connect, meet face-to-face often for the first time, network and trade ideas, and you have a success.
The tradeshows will just have to lean down and get back to the business of business if they want to survive, and we'll all profit from that. I myself am looking forward to the newer "old" formats :P
Dos centavos.