We’re Going on Vacation, Honey. Pack the Booth

Remember the days when traveling for a tradeshow was accompanied by a big sigh, followed by a clandestine smile. When you used to contemplate bringing a bathing suit and comfortable jeans along with that power suit. When putting faces to familiar voices was done over a relaxing libation in the lobby. Oh, how a down turn in the economy and budget crunching can cramp the style of a good convention!

The internet has brought us closer than ever to our patrons. We can now see their products, along with their staff, and often, even their facilities. Webinars and video conferencing have begun to replace the need to share a handshake and smile. Conventions.net is the first to boast the value of worldwide exposure via an inexpendable tool such as the internet, but we also realize that without annual meetings and tradeshows, any industry can become dry and impersonal. Businesses should be thoroughly productive, but not mechanically programmed. Thus; the trade show.  A place to buy, sell and show our goods in a friendly, artificially lit arena, surrounded by industry peers, who are looking to make that personal connection, while conveniently getting out of dodge.

Airlines, convention centers, hotels and even restaurants are eager to recapture lost business and invigorate their bottom line. For example, Flybe Airline has launched a new advertising campaign, creatively showing how ‘Business is Better Face to Face’. The new campaign targets the business traveller and aims to communicate the importance and power of face to face meetings for more effective business and the importance of personal contact, with the claim that conference calls won’t win business. There are tons of business venues, including many world class destinations, that are all in the same vein working for an invigorated meetings industry. 

There has never been a better time to incorporate some well earned relaxation time while convention and tradeshow planning is on the rise. In a study of corporate exhibitors by Exhibit Works in Detroit, 3,100 corporate CEO’s, marketing managers, and exhibit producers where polled, and more than two thirds of respondents believe that tradeshow marketing is equal to or more important than it was three years ago. This is encouraging news!  With more opportunities to save than ever before, paired with the unparalleled benefit of interpersonal marketing, the perfect recipe for a productive business trip is back in style.  Destinations are becoming more and more appealing for meetings and tradeshows, both nationally and internationally. Tucson, Rapid City, Denver, London, Paris… The venues are truly endless.

We at Conventions.net have positioned ourselves on the web to be able to do our part in helping to rejuvenate an era of record attendances at meetings and tradeshows.  Successfully combining business with pleasure is a balancing act we believe is worth some concerted effort, and if the family can be involved; more the better. Present IRS rules make it possible to successfully mix the two to a certain extent, so it would be wise to check with your accountant for tips and hints as to benefit from any possible deductions. So get packing, and don’t forget the bathing suit! I mean… Were you really going to use those extra sick days anyhow?  Enjoy! 




Randi Freedman
President
Conventions.net
randi@conventions.net