But what about now when the economy is shaky and your budget has been slashed.   Travel cuts across the board mean attendance at tradeshows is down.  The skinny on tradeshows is that ...well, they're skinny these days.
 
To get a good perspective of what's going on and what you should consider when it comes to tradeshows, I am turning to Laurie Pennacchi, cofounder and Executive Vice President of ExpoMarketing.  Laurie is a valued resource, who for over 20 years has been counseling and guiding companies on making the most of their investment in tradeshows.

Just as Mark Twain commented about his death, Laurie says the same can be said of tradeshows.   Despite the ongoing belief that shows are a thing of the past, tradeshows are alive and still a valuable marketing element.  The following are three important points Laurie shared with me:

1.  A lower total attendance figure does not mean that dedicated buyers are not attending trade shows.  Companies might send fewer employees to a show to cut down on travel expense, but they will send the most critical staff. 
 
2.  There is no substitute for the human interaction that happens on the trade show floor.  In spite of the high cost of exhibiting, it is still far less expensive than sending salespeople around the country to call on target prospects.  It is also the only place where buyers can compare products in real time and educate themselves on the latest in their industry.  The shows that have survived and will continue to survive are those that offer the attendee a robust schedule of technical tracks, seminars or other educational programs in conjunction with the exhibit floor. 
 
3.  Why not opt to exhibit in smaller spaces at more targeted shows?  Wise marketing managers are measuring ROI on their trade show program and only exhibiting where they will be sure to attract their ideal customer.  In years past they might have been able to select among twenty shows that seemed to fit their criteria, but today they are selecting from three stronger shows.  There is no doubt that budgets are generally lower these days, but it is still possible to have a strong trade show presence within a reasonable budget.