Misc.Jun 12, 2019
Newmangou

Trade shows - do these still make sense?

Do you guys think trade shows are actually efficient for creating work related contacts in the Bay Area? What could be better ways for getting acquainted to new technology? Would virtual trade show events work if properly organized by LinkedIn, for example, considering their enormous networks of professionals in any industry?

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Intel BOBBY_AXE Jun 12, 2019

Yes. Physical networking is very key in this business, whether you're technical role or biz/sales etc. Online trade shows havent taken off for this reason alone. As for technology, the bigger shows do give you a nice venue to walk and talk the floors and see/touch new tech and discuss on the spot with an engineer. hard to do that on a webinar.

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mangou OP Jun 12, 2019

I agree, but still - last year’s semicon at SF was a great disappointment considering the number of people that visited... a well organized and advertised virtual show can potentially be seen by many more people, right from their offices... definitely missing the live contact with the person and the technology, but if u like what u see, take a trip to the exhibitor directly, probably spending same or less money...

Intel BOBBY_AXE Jun 14, 2019

So you're basing your opinion on one bad show? And most vendors want to see dozens of potential clients and prospects in one place (and so do end users), to leverage time and money and high traffic. No one wants to take one-off trips to vendors all the time.

Facebook public2 Jun 12, 2019

Yep networking with folks in Vegas or on boats in the south of France is very effective.

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mangou OP Jun 12, 2019

Surely more enjoyable than staring at a screen... but that’s after the shows 😂

Facebook public2 Jun 12, 2019

Yea no one goes to the conference itself beyond n00bs, the value is having a high concentration of folks in high proximity.