Attending tradeshows
A very successful friend of mine once said, that if you pick up one good idea from a meeting; seminar; book; video/audio tape or article it was worth the time and investment put into it.
It really comes down to your personal philosophy and your budget. But remember that budget is many times determined not by what you can afford, but your phillosphy.
Yes, ICA used to move all over the country because that was what the operators, who founded and drove the ICA wanted. And Gus Trantham being an operator and a wise leader, did as executive director.
However, ICA having a new, professional management company and with the costs of trade shows increasing daily it has become very difficult to move all over the country yearly and be able to negotiate good convention hall rates, good hotel rates, etc.
Plus, statistically, no matter what your personal preference might be, certain cities simply draw more attendance than other cities. And, Las Vegas is the winner for all industries. That city draws more attenance at trade shows than any other city in the country.
Further, since association revenues are driven by the trade show the associations have to be sensitive to the needs of the exhibitors and for many going to Orlando or New Orleans is very costly.
Las Vegas is a very friendly town, union-wise for exhibitors.
Plus a savy shopper can find an airfare and hotel package that is cheaper from say the East coast to Las Vegas cheaper than they can from the East Coast to say Chicago or New Orleans or Orlando.
It is my understanding that ICA will be in Las Vegas as many years as they can get the space and dates they need to meet the Expo timing in the Spring. When they can't they might move to another city such as Centrally located Chicago.
The WCA (Western Carwash Association) Expo, the largest regional expo in the industry, decided with ICA being in Las Vegas every year that it might be best to consider another location in the Western US area so they are going to San Deigo this year. It is really a great city for a trade show and for operators to bring their families much more to do there than one realizes and the weather is fantastic.
Keep in mind a trade show should not be just about checking out the equipment, but as much about the educational seminars and the networking you can do with other operators. Of course, if that is not of interest to you then it might not be a good thing for you to attend a trade show every year.
Just a few well intentioned thoughts from a person who has attended and participated well over 150 car wash trade shows in his tenure in the car wash industry.
Just some well intentioned thoughts
Bud ABraham
