Just want to solicit some thoughts here. What is it about the Atlantic City trade show that makes it worth the trip, and expense? Theoretically shouldn't our area sales representatives for the respective companies be able to provide us the same information.
The show itself looks exciting and there are vendors present that I have not heard of, let alone done business with. However i'm not sure if its justified in the expense of going versus contacting the companies and meeting with there representatives.
I would appreciate any feedback from persons who have attended the show in the past or are going to the 2011 show.
Replies
I wouldn't classify this show as a buying show as most distributors and companies don't even have new pricing yet. That being said I am attending this year by myself, in years past 6-7 have gone but do o the economy I'll be going solo yhis year. The thing I get most out of the show is learning about new products and meeting reps from companies you would never have met otherwise
Monique Nelson said:
This is an article about the 2010 Atlantic City show but same applies to 2011.
http://aquamagazine.com/articles/article.aspx?articleid=1809&zo...
Don,
I have attended the Atlantic City Show several times as a manufacturer/distributor and can give you an idea of things from my perspective. The show offers so many booths with representatives from manufacturing and distribution that you would never have the ability or time to meet with that many reps outside of this format. Matt is right, you need to treat it like a business trip, and if you do, there is much to gain. Each day, the show starts at noon which allows for time in the morning to take a wide variety of classes which consist of technical training, CPO courses, chemical courses, etc. The show ends around 6:00pm and then there is time to do your own thing or attend manufacturers parties. My company typically takes out customers to dinner to thank them for their business. Most years, the show is fresh with lots of new things to see and it really takes a full two days to see and talk with the reps from each of the companies that are represented. If you schedule your day with the intent of maximizing your time then the trip is worth it and you will see your ROI. The one bad thing about the show is that you are on the boardwalk in New Jersey in February...brrrr!!!!
My guys are going there Monday thru Thursday. The show opens up in the afternoon and the classes are in the morning, so i can get 4 mornings of classes, either one or two a day depending on how long, and then the afternoon is spent at the show. Nights the guys go to various manufacturer parties or hang out with themselves and do it all over again monday morning. I am not going this year, but have in past years, and you would be surprised what you can accomplish, as long as you treat it as a business trip and not a vacation, or in my case as long as i make sure my guys are doing that.
Matt,
I certainly understand the value of continuing education, however how much are you able to get accomplished? It seems like a lot between the Trade Show and the class' to get accomplished in such a short window. My concern is not so much the expense of going but rather the ROI on not being able to get alot done while there.
Don,
We are sending 13 of our techs to the show. We do not attend a show every year, yet we do find it valuable to go every few years. On top of the manufacturers and seeing their new products, and finding that small corner booth that you never would have found otherwise, there are tremendous classroom opportunities as well, things that you dont' get when you just have a rep come out. Don't get me wrong, i have our reps come to our location and put on training seminars for our guys also, but when you group everything together, it is worth it i feel every few years. you get to view all of the products in one place, and talk with each manufacturer/rep. Not only are you learning about the product, but you are attending many classes, and also networking and making connections that you may not have made otherwise. It is expensive, but the one place to never skimp on in a budget from our company's view is on continuing education.
One of our distributors actually puts on a bus trip to the show and includes hotel accomodations with it, so it is not really that expensive, roughly $250 a person for the trip, hotel, and 3 meals.
From a manufacturers standpoint, the Atlantic City show is known as "the buying show." I think that encourages everyone to really bring their "A Game" and put forth the best of the best. In my experience, the Atlantic City show has always been well attended and the folks who come out are in remarkably great spirits considering it is right in the middle of the East Coast Winter.
I'll be there! If you decide to go, make sure you stop by Booth # 1733!