I have to admit, sometimes experience can get in the way. Or maybe it's expectations that get in the way. My two days exploring the International Builders' Show and talking with attendees and exhibitors reminded me that the same experience can be viewed through very different eyes. Long-time exhibitors in spacious booths were concerned about the light traffic. Yes, it was the first day of the show, and yes, the weather across the country was not cooperating, but wow. This was not the Builders' Show they remembered, with crowded aisles and long lines for registration, coffee and giveaways.
But a few conversations with first-time exhibitors made me look at the show through their eyes: they see an opportunity to engage with thousands of builders (how many are they really going to be able to talk with, anyway?), "break in" to the "main" (only) exhibit hall, and they are excited and pleased and optimistic. They're looking forward to following up with all those leads.
The second day of the show, traffic picked up quite a bit, and it'll be interesting to see what the final numbers are. I'm not sure the show will ever be as big as it once was, but I think that's OK. Maybe we all just need to look at it differently.
Did you attend the show? What's your view?
Hello Laila! I'm the communication specialist at Lowen Sign Company, who was a small fish in the big pond of booths this year. Our reps have been attending the show for years and can remember a time when 100 thousand people would filter in from around the world. However, this year I can't say we were disappointed. We share the opinion that although crowds were smaller, we were able to engage with a lot more people.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, some of our products like Fence Mesh and Omegabond sign panels did better this year than in year's past.
All in all, another great year at the IBS and we will be back again next year.
Thanks, @Jordan and @Open Channels for your comments. It's definitely good to hear different points of view, and it sounds like you both made the most of the show, even in its "smaller" condition. :)
ReplyDeleteAs I have been exhibiting at this show for the past 10 years, we all knew that attendance would be par for the building course. I remember the "good times" where all you could do was scan cards and say thanks for dropping by, someone will be getting with you soon after the show. So, now that we have time to engage the attendees, you get the more quality vs quantity. For us, that allows us to take notes, engage with the attendee, and make things happen sooner than later. With anything, you have to adapt and make the best of it. Some of our competitors were not exhibiting this year. What did we do? told the attendee to stop by their booth and thank them for supporting the building industry. Then again, they couldn't because they failed to exhibit. Capitalize on every opportunity and we all will continue to grow and be successful!
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