When I tell people that I’m a trade show consultant, they typically look at me curiously and say, “I didn’t know there was such a career.” Actually, they’re often surprised to even hear that there’s an entire industry built around trade shows! The question that usually follows (which you’ve likely heard too) is, “What made you decide to go into that career?”
Over the years, I’ve given various answers to that question. But after doing a six-city exhibitor training tour with a group of other trade show professionals a couple of years ago, it really gave me a chance to analyze why I love this non-traditional career. So here are some of the reasons I’ve found for loving trade shows:
- All the interesting people I’ve met, and long-time friends I’ve made
- Fun new discoveries at every show (like a kid in a candy store)
- Collaborations with other exhibitors
- Hearing stories from attendees who have been looking for the solution my client (or I) provide
- Clever displays and promotions for future inspirations and sharing
- Experiencing the cities where the shows are held (When I actually do get out of the convention center/hotel/airport!)
- Seeing how unbusy my competitors are!
I once heard someone say that trade shows either get into your blood, or you get out of the industry. It’s not the glamorous lifestyle that many people think. We work hard, but we do get many rewards and experiences to savor. Yes, I guess you could say that trade shows are in my blood!
So … why do you love trade shows?
© 2010-12 Marlys K. Arnold (Adapted from the March 2010 TradeShowTips Online. To receive tips like this in your inbox every month, please take a moment to fill out this request.)
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About the Author:
With experiences as both an exhibitor and a show organizer, Marlys Arnold has a unique perspective on trade show exhibiting. She travels the country consulting and training both exhibitors and show managers, and is the author of Build a Better Trade Show Image (2002), host of the Trade Show Insights blog-cast and creator of the ExhibitorEd training kit. She can be reached at www.imagespecialist.com.
It definitely got into my blood! What I personally love about trade shows is the simple fact that it gets people together in person. Magic happens when you actually sit across from someone. It’s so important, especially these days with our computers and devices being our main source of communication. Great post!