Trade Shows - Then . . . and . . . now . . . and beyond

No the picture at the left is NOT a ceramic trade show . . . but it actually could be. this afternoon I had the delightful opportunity to meet one of our newer Ambassadors on the phone. One of the myriad of topics we rambled about was the old trade shows, like the one held in the spring and the fall each year at the Anaheim Convention Center. The Bohler shows were so big, there were times you needed 2 days to see and take in everything. Sure there were people even then who were in and out in a matter of hours. But there are people who go to Disneyland in 1 day also. Do you really see what names are painted in the upper windows on Main street in 1 day? Of course not. Some people would say well there's not enough manufacturers left to fill a a 100 sq' hall let alone a 100,000 sq' hall. Point well taken. But if you live in the corner of the box, the box is all you know. It is great to have regional shows, many people can not afford to travel long distances. But 1, spectacular, show annually for the industry at all levels, in and out of the box, could be awesome. The CAG is NOT a show promoter, but we have a vast amount of creative, professional resources that we could lend to someone willing to take this venture on. I would love to walk through an exhibit hall, with exciting reps standing in stunning booths sharing their wares and concepts. This kind of show would also draw literally thousands of pieces of competition, if done right. Do you know that for every piece of competition you can be assured their will 2 people visiting the show. Is this a dream, or is it a vision for the future?