Not a week goes by that notice for a trade show somewhere in the country pops up in your email. How many of these events do we really need? Some argue that face-to-face meetings are invaluable, and the classes and seminars are equally useful. But come on, you can google any product, service, or article you might need and find almost the same information online.
The large shows are real time killers. Some are so big they take days to walk the aisles and may include companies that survive only on the fringe of the show theme. One large contract manufacturer tells that its parent has decided not to attend large shows because of the unjustified and meager return on it’s $80,000 investments.
Small or regional shows seem most useful because you can probably drive to them and walk the aisles in a day.
What are your thoughts on trade shows? What annoys you most about them? What does a big show have to offer that would make you get on a plane and spend two nights in a strange town?
Really, what do you think about them?