Why Do You Go To Tradeshows?

For those of you that have been to them in the past.

Do you have a specific reason for attending the industry tradeshows? Do you go to relax, get business done or, something else?

Also, out of those shows you have attended, which was your favorite and why?

For us, its pretty much a business thing, the first day we get at the show, regardless of where it is, we let our hair down and party like crazy but, the remainder of the time at the shows we generally do nothing but business, in one way, shape or form.

To date i would have to say our best show was The Phoenix Forum 2 years ago, i went on my own at the time and after 3 days, came back with so much new business it was unreal, this year we sponsored the Gay Webmaster Bash event in Phoenix and again, got so much new business from that show.

In 2005 we're holding several events as part of the Gay Webmaster Bash and we're hoping, based on previous experiences that again this will be a profitable show for us business wise.

So why do you attend the tradeshows and, which is your favorite show to date Internext, Phoenix, Cybernet or any of the others?

Regards,

Lee

My first trade shows I went to learn, I quickly realised its more about meeting people and making good contacts, and the real learning comes afterwards when you are back home and keeping in touch with all your new mates!

cheers,
Luke

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Originally posted by Chilihost
My first trade shows I went to learn, I quickly realised its more about meeting people and making good contacts, and the real learning comes afterwards when you are back home and keeping in touch with all your new mates!

cheers,
Luke

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That's me too Luke !!

Contacts, meeting the people, and recovering from hangovers.

Observing others is also interesting, work out who is real to their online "personas" and who is somewhat different.

I sometimes get outrageous simply to experiment with other people to see how they will react. I loike to know people on many levels ;-)

Learnt HEAPS in Florida.

:biker:

I go to see Lindsay.

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Originally posted by BDBionic
I go to see Lindsay.

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Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Join the queue.

Ha ha ha ah ah ah.

Looking forward to you having your chance to see me again in a couple of short weeks Bri ;-)

:biker:

the shows provide the best opportunities to get to know other people in the business. I've been attending shows for 7 years now and have developed some good friends in the industry, but my primary reason for going is business.

After every show there are always rumblings about lack of attedance or exhibitors, but any time you can get hundreds (or even thousands) of industry peeps in one place, it has got to be good for business.

It has been my experience, though, that a lot of people go to the shows to consume as much alchohol and other substances as they can. How many stories have we all heard about people making total asses of themselves at shows and not even remembering it?

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Originally posted by RainGurl
How many stories have we all heard about people making total asses of themselves at shows and not even remembering it?

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Oh I ALWAYS remember it.

:biker:

This Will Be My First Show , The Reasoning Behind It Will Be To At Least Say "I Did One" , What I Hope To See Are Some Of The People That Have Been Messaging Me , Also Take A Look At Some Of My "Net-Options".
What Will Probably Happen Is I Will Run Around The Room Posing With All The Net "Porn-Stars" , "Sample" All The Free Alcohol , And Wind Up In Bed With...

Sincerely ~ "Tankerella"

We've been going to the Las Vegas show for the last 4 years and the Florida show for the first time this year. We were in Vegas several times in '04, though, so we're "vegas'ed out" and won't attend Internext '05, but we're going to do the Phoenix Forum in '05 and then come back to Vegas in '06.

I believe that the shows are great networking opportunties. Even if you don't write any business at the show itself, the contacts you make and the goodwill you impress on people will pay off during the year.

I'll miss seeing my friends next month, but hopefully I will see you in Phoenix. I hear that the atmosphere is much more laid-back and more conducive to conversation.

I very much enjoy the fact that Vegas and FL are spaced out by half a year with Phx thrown in to the mix.

It's definitely the time in between shows that makes the shows themselves most valuable for me. Meeting people at these shows and then continuing correspondence with them from then on and until the next one, getting a chance to meet face to face with clients and contacts I talk to on the phone, via email and IM and on the boards and catch up, assigning faces to names. It's all great.

Not to mention the fact that they're just flat out fun. I love going to these shows. As far behind as it gets me with work as stuff piles up on my desk for days while I'm out of town, it's a great relief to go to these. A change of pace and venue. New names and faces. The prospect of new contracts, new clients and new opportunities. It helps break up the year with things worth looking forward to.

definatly the contacts.

But most importantly putting a face to name. You gain trust and open tons of doors. That's if you put in the effort.

One thing about it that really bothers me about the shows is that most see it as a fun time. It's hard to break the ice and ask or talk about biz especially when you think they are kinda tipsy.

2 cents

I've never been to any shows but hopefully I'll get to go to the one in FL next year. I'd be nice. I love FL. It's been almost 4 years since I left it. T_T

Mr Blah!
www.gayasianams.com

My first show was Internext Las Vegas, two years ago. I was just getting my feet wet in the business at the time. Then this year, my then-business partner and I went to Vegas, Phoenix Forum and Florida.

My new partner AJ and I (and about 5 of our models) will be attending Vegas this year... we've found that the shows are a great opportunity to learn from others, to share what we've learned with people newer to the biz than we are, and, perhaps above all, to make new friends and see old ones, and keep up on what's happening in the industry.

Personally, I've found that even though Internext ends us costing us a fortune (and we aren't even having a booth), the value more than comes back to us in brand awareness (5 cuties running around in Boyfunk shirts sure doesn't hurt), new affilates, and just great connections and friendships.

Now what we'd *like* to be able to do is to help coordinate a small gay webmaster's gathering, sorta like a Phoenix Forum specifically for gay webmasters... maybe in San Francisco sometime right around Gay Pride... but that's the subject of another post :)

One other thought: For anyone considering Phoenix Forum, under no circumstances should you NOT consider going to this event.

I made more meaningful connections with people that have resulted in lasting business relationships as well as friendships at Phoenix Forum than at all three of the Internext events combined. The whole atmosphere of the event (smaller, less glitz, more focus on business and networking) make it the show for people who are serious about the business. My take, anyway.

We've only been to one event and that was Cybernet'04. Wow di we come away with some great information. We mostly did the seminars. I appreciated the way the moderator's were focused on giving the definitions of certain terms. Being new to all things this industry, it was very helpful to know what was being said in plain english.

I'm hoping Internext will be the same. Thankfully though if it's not I know some people who might be willing to translate for us.