Following i the footsteps of yesterday, Thursday traffic was better than the last day of previous years. But at the same time the decision makers were out in the aisles.
I spent some time over the past few days speaking with a number of exhibitors about the move to Las Vegas and April. Overall consensus from everyone was that this years event delivered higher level attendee that ever. Less tire kickers and more real decision makers is the phrase many used to describe attendees.
The true test of APEX's sucess will come over the next few months as exhibitors close deals discussed in Las Vegas. Let's hope that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas only holds true outside of the show.
Keep tuned for a return to marketing tips in my next post!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
APEX Revisited/Day Two
What was a good start to this years APEX with good, constant traffic flow has morphed into a slightly smaller crowd. But that turned out to be a good thing.
The crowds were thinner than Tuesday but the 'quality' of the attendees is much better than past events. We've all heard that story before. Yet this year it's not being used to explain away a slow day.
Exhibitors are taking more time with visitors and at times, sitting down for lengthy meetings to hammer out deals and issue quotes.
One of the exhibitors I spoke with came right out and told me that he's issuing more overnight quotes than ever. Another mentioned that they are meeting with 'ew prospects with real needs and budgets to support purchasing the right solution.
Moving the event to Las Vegas has a larger contingent of real decision makers, not the tire-kickers of the days of old.
The crowds were thinner than Tuesday but the 'quality' of the attendees is much better than past events. We've all heard that story before. Yet this year it's not being used to explain away a slow day.
Exhibitors are taking more time with visitors and at times, sitting down for lengthy meetings to hammer out deals and issue quotes.
One of the exhibitors I spoke with came right out and told me that he's issuing more overnight quotes than ever. Another mentioned that they are meeting with 'ew prospects with real needs and budgets to support purchasing the right solution.
Moving the event to Las Vegas has a larger contingent of real decision makers, not the tire-kickers of the days of old.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
IPC Delivers at APEX
APEX Day One
WOW! Full aisles and full booths marked the first day of APEX 2008. It was a welcome sight to the suppliers who took the chance that moving the venue and time of the show was the right move.
Many exhibitors come into a trade show with a bit of skepticism, particularly when an established event moves to a new venue and city. There has been an under-current amongst APEX exhibitors over the past year that maybe the move the Las Vegas might not work. Some people I spoke with over the many months since the LA show were concerned that traffic would be light at this year edition of the APEX - primarily due to the location, not economic conditions.
They were wrong.
Some of the exhibitors finally got their morning break sometime in the middle-to-late afternoon. A few were still talking to attendees well after the end of the Cirque du Soleil entertainment during the on-floor reception.
While there were the requisite number of tire kickers, a number of 'real deal' buyers were in scattered in the crowd.
With Day Two ahead of us, let's see the crowds for the traditionally heaviest day of the event.
Your comments on the show are welcome . . .
WOW! Full aisles and full booths marked the first day of APEX 2008. It was a welcome sight to the suppliers who took the chance that moving the venue and time of the show was the right move.
Many exhibitors come into a trade show with a bit of skepticism, particularly when an established event moves to a new venue and city. There has been an under-current amongst APEX exhibitors over the past year that maybe the move the Las Vegas might not work. Some people I spoke with over the many months since the LA show were concerned that traffic would be light at this year edition of the APEX - primarily due to the location, not economic conditions.
They were wrong.
Some of the exhibitors finally got their morning break sometime in the middle-to-late afternoon. A few were still talking to attendees well after the end of the Cirque du Soleil entertainment during the on-floor reception.
While there were the requisite number of tire kickers, a number of 'real deal' buyers were in scattered in the crowd.
With Day Two ahead of us, let's see the crowds for the traditionally heaviest day of the event.
Your comments on the show are welcome . . .
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