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The table below shows a summary of the kinds of tips that you offered by category. The categories are the same as the ones that we asked you to rate in terms of your concerns. One way of looking at this treatment is to consider these results to be reflective of the topics with which you feel most comfortable (at least enough to offer your advice) – versus last month’s results that showed which topics you want to learn about most.
The Sort of Tips You Shared With Us
|
Category
|
2007
|
2006
|
| Booth Staffing |
52%
|
23%
|
| Pre-Show & At-Show Promotions |
16%
|
29%
|
| Logistics |
15%
|
18%
|
| Exhibit Design |
10%
|
14%
|
| Lead Management |
3%
|
8%
|
| Value of Trade Shows |
2%
|
0%
|
| Setting Objectives & Measurable Results |
1%
|
3%
|
| Measuring Results |
1%
|
0%
|
| Show Selection |
1%
|
2%
|
| Space Selection |
1%
|
3%
|
| Budgeting |
0%
|
0%
|
Notice the big swing in the number of tips offered that are related to better booth staffing: more than double the proportion we saw last year. Here’s a great example of what one of your fellow readers shared:
Be conscious of attendees’ time and their desire to see as much of the show in the time they have. Smile, listen and engage. I really agree with losing the fake sales pitch attitude and to be yourself. I don't like it when I'm approached by the "used car salesman" spiel and don't like to do it to anyone else. I know about my product and am proud to represent it; I can talk genuinely about it with customers with really good results.
– Name withheld by request
Look for many more tips like this in the months ahead.
What’s the Worst Part of Your Job?
We asked you to tell us what, if any, part of the work made your job less enjoyable. As you can see in the next table, over 600 of you told us – including 30 of you who love the trade show business so much that you have no problems at all. For purposes of analysis we combined related responses into the categories you see below.
It’s Alright, Except . . .
|
Category
|
Count
|
%
|
| Attracting & connecting with quality leads |
122
|
20%
|
| Long hours |
84
|
14%
|
| Show organization |
67
|
11%
|
| Install & Dismantle |
62
|
10%
|
| Staff training & motivation |
59
|
10%
|
| Logistics |
50
|
8%
|
| Show & Union rules |
31
|
5%
|
| Travel & accommodations |
23
|
4%
|
| Paperwork |
12
|
2%
|
| Misc. |
64
|
11%
|
| No problems |
30
|
5%
|
| |
|
|
| Total response |
604
|
|
Attracting & connecting with quality leads was pointed to by a tremendous number of the respondents as a source of trouble for their exhibiting duties. Here is an apt comment that’s quite representative of the many we received in this category:
When the floor is so crowded, it's difficult to know who to address as they pass by your booth. It sometimes feels like you're fishing in a stocked pond with a hole in your net...
– Kimberly Kolodziejski, Chella Professional Skin Care
Once again, thank you for your generous sharing of time and attention in this year’s survey – and congrats to the winners of our drawing.
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Updated for 2007 with new ideas and timely topics! Here's a great collection of ideas to power your trade show marketing program to the top – in this 86-page reference book. 
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