Overall, yesterday's event at the Javits Center was terrific. I think there were a few less exhibitors but there seemed to be more attendees than last year. As in years past, we produce the program for the event, and ran out of copies yesterday - a first. Of the exhibitors that I spoke with (many of whom are advertisers) most were happy with the quality of the attendees, as well as the quantity. Here are some other observations and comments:
· Overall, people (attendees and exhibitors) were quite positive with respect to the near terms outlook. I heard several exhibitors talk about having good Septembers due to "pent up demand" (even outside the show many people have told me that that they had record Septembers).
· The seminars were packed. There were nine rooms and most of them were standing room only.
· Believe it or not, there were several exhibitors who seem content to sit behind their tables and wait for people to come talk to them. (For my other comments on what to do/not to do at trade shows, see "What to do at a Trade Show: Shut Up!" and "Trade Show Idiocy").
· The food options at the Javits are inexcusable. Bad food and overpriced… Why can't they bring in good vendors at different price points?
· The Javits Center is so un-business friendly that it drives me nuts. The union seems to control the place and has a list of rules a mile long that make setting up a table a long and unnecessarily tiring experience.
We had about 200 NY Report readers stop by our table just to say hi and thanks. It was great for some of our newer team members to see that first hand. We feel very fortunate to have that kind of "fan" base - especially comprised of business owners!
I hope to see some of you at the Jack Daly sales workshop next week.