Comments on: Are Trade Shows Obsolete?

By: Scott Tokar

Scott Tokar — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 06:16:13 +0000

No way are tradeshows obsolete!

There are more reasons than just direct sales to drive companies and prospects to a tradeshow…

Live, in-person, image management and brand awareness strategies are important marketing directives in today’s web-based “twitter” centric world…

Public relations and new product launches are also important reasons to exhibit. Look at the “buzz” that surrounds the new products each year at CES… It’s hard to get on Good Morning America with just a website or a twitter account during the CES show, you gotta be there to be in the game!

Now, add the fact that many “tradeshows” are connected with industry specific meetings or conventions… Smart marketers will support the industry that they sell to… If you don’t exhibit you will be missed by an organization’s membership…

And lastly, continuing education units (CEU) must be done in person for many medical professionals… Medical tradeshows are part of education and it will be a long time before we see those go away…

As a tradeshow magician, I see all aspects of trade show marketing and many cross sections of industries… I’m happy to say that tradeshows are here to stay!

By: Trade Show Mentalist

Trade Show Mentalist — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 21:00:15 +0000

The issue isn’t always are the leads any good, it’s often how good are the sales reps. I have worked hundreds of shows for over 30 years and most of the time, the reps just stand there doing nothing. I literally pre-qualify the leads so that only quality attendees come into the booth, but many times the reps don’t approach them to penetrate the lead further.

The marketing people do their job which is to get people to the booth and get out the message. This is what I help them do, as well. In some cases, I have educated the reps as to how to more effectively deal with the leads I bring in, but still you have those reps who do nothing.

Trade shows will be around for a long time. Where else can you get large numbers of like minded people together to talk about their issues, concerns, etc. What needs to be done is for sales mngrs and the like to start viewing shows as a vehicle for improving relations and developing opportunities and to train their reps on how to make shows work.

By: The Trade Show Guru

The Trade Show Guru — Sat, 15 May 2010 13:42:34 +0000

Anders,
Good points that we are “social animals” and the value of “face to face” marketing. I agree that trade shows will always be a part of the marketing mix. How much of the mix may change, but they will remain a part of the mix. Thanks for stopping by again. ~ Steve

By: Anders - Trade Show Infotainer

Anders - Trade Show Infotainer — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:22:49 +0000

Trade shows will always be around in my opinion because humans are social animals. Even though there are more virtual trade shows these days they will never take the place of what we know as a trade show. If you look at the ancient Bazaars of the middle east they were very similar to a trade show. They have always been around and will continue to exist. I’m not sure who said it but the quote sums up my feelings.

“No matter how much you click place to place, you will never replace face to face.”

By: The Trade Show Guru

The Trade Show Guru — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:54:22 +0000

hi GrowMap,
Sorry, I found you in the Akismet bucket and it looks like you’ve been in there for a few days with some unsavory company. Anyway, I dug you out and hosed you off. I’m also sorry I don’t have a twitter account (at least yet). I guess I’m still living in the last century. I’ll click through and check out your post though. ~ Steve
Hey Tim,
Good to hear that it sounds like the Agri trade show is alive and well, and bury. That is a good sign.
And I agree with you that people probably think a bit before they pull the trigger on a 300k deal. And they’d also want to see the product (like at a trade show) rather than buy it based on a picture on the internet. Trade shows are still relevant. Good insight. ~ Steve

By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:15:55 +0000

We just attended the huge Agri Trade Show in Red Deer, Alberta and that show is always incredibly busy. Booths have to be reserved years in advance, in many cases, unless there is a cancellation I suppose. It is an agricultural show, which leaves it wide open for a variety of items. Everything from home products, to farm equipment, to building supplies and tools. It is definitely an event that is alive and well.
My observation is that most sales don’t happen at the show. People like me go there and look at everything, collect a few goodies and take some cards and pamphlets. Then a week later I might phone and try to wrangle the trade show special price out of someone.
I’m pretty sure all the big deals happen this way too. If you are buying a harvester or combine, for instance, you might think it over and see who is going to give you the best deal before you put your $300 000.00 on the table. People wait for fall specifically to go to this sale and hold off buying because they know there are always Agri Trade Show only deals. And I’m pretty sure most farmers never buy online, so real world is where its at.

By: Internet Strategist @GrowMap

Internet Strategist @GrowMap — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:46:04 +0000

Here I have a nice su.pr to your blog all ready to #followfriday you and I can’t find a Twitter address for you anywhere. Are you not on Twitter?

I found @tradeshowguru and others using that phrase but none of them are you.

While I’m here I thought I’d invite you to check out my Best of GrowMap post I linked to this comment.

Invoking my “Friend of the Guru” comment policy name exception as usual. I’ll be back.

By: Will

Will — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:39:13 +0000

@ Mitch – That is a great point about relevancy. I went to a garden show this summer where more than 50% of the displays/vendors had absolutely nothing to do with gardening. Some where as off topic as wireless phone vendors, banks, or home water purifiers. I think because the groups that put on these shows need a certain number of booths filled to break even, they take all comers.

By: The Trade Show Guru

The Trade Show Guru — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:17:58 +0000

hi Ian, Thanks for your comment about trade show internet.

hi Mitch,
You wrote: “I don’t think trade shows are obsolete either, but I do think some of the people running them are trying to kill the industry.” LOL
Just like businesses and websites, not all trade shows are well run, and it’s a bummer to exhibit at or attend a trade show that isn’t well run…

Hi Barbara,
Your are right that people should not even think about trade show exhibiting unless they have a plan for success (which usually involves making a profit and NOT generating a loss!) Thanks for stopping by. ~ Steve

By: Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach

Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:29:37 +0000

The key for successful trade shows is to obtain profit (ie, leads, orders, networking, viral marketing) – I’ve seen lots of people, however, really miss that boat with their exhibits!

I enjoyed learning about that back when I was manning my own. It helped a lot.