Are Trade Shows Really Necessary?

YES.

Just as many other annual events are necessary. They are a break from the day to day grind, they are business building opportunities and they may be the only chance to see what is new in an atmosphere that is calm and not rushed.

Try it next year if the boss will let you.

Mike

In additon to providing a useful diversion and keeping otherwise busy people apprised of the current state of the industry, it is an educational tool for the novice to the field.

I unfortunately had to miss IMTS this year. Two years ago I made back the cost of going to the show with one purchase of tooling that cut the production time in half on a job that would otherwise have been a loser. I think a couple of days spent at a show is a very efficient way to shop, keep up with the latest technology, and network. Now that I live in a rural area it is difficult to get applications people to visit and demonstrate new products. The internet is a fantastic tool, but there is no substitute for doing business face to face and evaluating products with hands on.

Hello all,

with regard to Trade Shows. I used to be in box making and, we used to go to a Trade Show every year for four year and never got any advantage at all. But, boxes are pretty boring right?

Talking of electronics, then I think you need the Trade Fairs. They get the minutiae of the small items like mobile phones, connectors, computers, etc and other detailed info into the Magazines so we, the public can find out about them and buy them. Where things need to be touched, and held to test texture and finish then the buyers need the Trade Shows.

Trade Shows for any other items are a waste of time........(in my opinion)!

stay safe

babybear

You need to "work" the show not let the show be "work" for you.

Hello miketheboilerguy:

when you are selling a business which makes things (boxes), which are exactly the same as almost everyone else in the show room, the things that are important are quality and price. I know it cost our company about five thousand for two days. That just did not make sense.

Try selling matches with another 60 match sellers doing the same thing............

stay safe

babybear

If all you are going for is looking for the "Gee whiz," then no, you can probably find that on the internet cheaper and easier.

But, if you are going to make connections, renew contacts, get context about one's profession, and listen to what others are saying, then attending is the best use of your professional devleopment time.

This year there were several tax advantage reasons to attend if one could purchase equipment for installation by year's end, and where else could one look at and analyze and evaluate the options for one's purchase dollars at one place? one airplane ticket, one hotel bill, and yet i got to see and discuss (quality time!) with factory experts from Tornos, Index, Hydromat, Maier, Star, Citizen, Hardinge, Tsugami, Wasino, DMG, not to mention find out latest coatings from oerlikon( formerly balzers over here in US) and get to meet some sharp folks at seco. The discussions that I had with other machinists and engineers were very informative and challenging.

Plus looking at the trends in products displayed (automotive and fluid power parts were way down, windgen, marine, aerospace and medical up, thread whirling up) many more exhibitors in the cleaning field as well as diamond tooling than last time...

Plus I could see who was just burning cash with tawdry displays to attract traffic (because their products alone couldn't???)

The experimental thin section machining work on display at the Gardner booth by research collaborators with Boeing was of course plenty of Gee Whiz...

My feet might not agree, but my brain felt it was time well spent.

But I went with a plan and worked it, not just wandering in the million ft^2 of exhibits. Every two years is about right.

By the way, $1 million was what just one exhibitor told me they had "invested in the IMTS" this year... I am certain that they expect a nice multiple payback on this investment like they got in prior years...

milo

YES!

The internet is only raw data and someone elses point of view, camera angle, focus, whatever. A trade show is an opportunity to see things more from your own point of view.

Trade shows are an opportunity to let your innovative mind work. (See A.G. Lafley's new book, The Game Changer). At the same time you get to be with people who have the same interests as you. And, you get to meet with people face-to-face who you may not get to meet at any other time.