Who's going to Internext or AEE?

[miz_wright]

Originally Posted by Jim_Gunn

A trade show isn't about pitching anything. People will avoid you if you are coming on like a pitch man trying to sell yourself that hard. You have to think in the long term, and just hang out and network and meet interesting people and pick their brains. Sometimes you learn something or meet someone you never expected to and it turns out to lead to business or opportunities weeks or months later. Even if you have the smallest niche business and don't think that you need anyone else or need to sell services of any kind, there is always something to be learned or accomplished through casual conversations with other successful people in all apects of the biz from billing to blogs to pay sites to designers and programmers or whoever else you meet. That's how I look at it.

Originally Posted by Toby

I agree with all that, but there are far better shows for doing that than Vegas Internext.

There are as many ways to work a show and build a business as there are people at that show and businesses in the world. What Works for Jim may not work for Toby, and Toby's methodology may not be appropriate for HellPuppy. Everyone has slightly different goals when they make the choice to go or not - some go because they are better in person than online, some go because they are looking for another job, some go because it's a way to expand their personal sphere.

None are more right than the others, they are just different goals for different people. *shrug*

[softball]

Originally Posted by miz_wright

There are as many ways to work a show and build a business as there are people at that show and businesses in the world. What Works for Jim may not work for Toby, and Toby's methodology may not be appropriate for HellPuppy. Everyone has slightly different goals when they make the choice to go or not - some go because they are better in person than online, some go because they are looking for another job, some go because it's a way to expand their personal sphere.

None are more right than the others, they are just different goals for different people. *shrug*

But the question is, if you are paying for it yourself, not your company with an expense account with free hotels and airfare and salary...will you make more money than it costs both in time and cash? There was a time when all those costs for small businesses could be justified by content trading. There was a time when the costs could be eaten up by parties and free sponsored events.
I used to go to a lot of broadcast trade shows and they were always worth it because there was new and interesting gizmos to see and plan for in the future. There was technology that was five years aways, but you could plan your business for that. The big companies like Sony would truly look after you, spend time, and explain their products.
It was more about the future than the present and not all about current sales but future capabilities. I don't see that here.

[Hell Puppy]

Originally Posted by miz_wright

There are as many ways to work a show and build a business as there are people at that show and businesses in the world. What Works for Jim may not work for Toby, and Toby's methodology may not be appropriate for HellPuppy. Everyone has slightly different goals when they make the choice to go or not - some go because they are better in person than online, some go because they are looking for another job, some go because it's a way to expand their personal sphere.

None are more right than the others, they are just different goals for different people. *shrug*

oh, i'm all about listening and learning. heck, i'll even share a tidbit here and there in polite company.

but one thing that has been common for me for every show i've ever been to is the thought of the value. i typically hit the show with an agenda and 2-3 very realistic attainable goals. i usually get those out of the way within first day or so. in which case i have an unstated additional goal of have a little fun.

but for me and my current business model, there's nothing going to be at that show that allows me to justify the expense. and if i'm going to spend the money just to have some fun, i'd frankly rather do it when the town isn't packed.

room and airfare is $1500 or so by itself. registration is what? $200-300? i'll usually pick up at least one dinner for a group of friends someplace nice, that'll typically be $1000 or so with tip, drinks, etc. throw in other meals, bar tabs, cab rides, you can easily roll up another $1000. and let's not even talk about gambling money.

admittedly, i'm not a cheap date, and I refuse to go on the Anal Hobbit plan, but my Vegas bill is typically in the $5K neighborhood.

i'm an S Corp, so although the trip is at least tax deductible, that still comes right off the bottom line. i can afford the trip, that's not an issue, but it's just like any other expense.

evaluating that expense to me is no different than deciding whether to buy a new notebook, a larger monitor or any other business expense. do i NEED it or will I see a reasonable return for the investment? for me the answer right now is no.

applying that kind of scrutiny to expenses is exactly why i CAN afford it. i cant tell you how many people i know of who have made small fortunes in this business but now do not have two nickels to rub together.

now if someone else was paying my way or reimbursing me for expenses....hell yeah, i'm there! it would be the best show ever!