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Perks of The Job
Our last winter trade show is fading in the rearview mirror now and suddenly here we are staring Spring in the face. After 34 years of trade show participation, it has become a rite of life, like home grown tomatoes in the Summer and football in the Fall. I tell my friends that it's a lot like going to camp each year, except the participants are grown ups, the day time activities don't include making lanyards, and the evening events don't include adult supervision, although that might not be a bad idea.
TAN Show 1996 w/Beth
Houston, TX
I like to work hard and have fun at the shows, not necessarily in that order. I do take the job seriously (since I'm footing the bill) and I look at each show as an investment. Some might call my approach a bit aggressive, but I like to think of it
as positive and opportunistic.
I spend 95% of my time at the front of my booth, making eye contact with attendees, and trying to engage them briefly enough to get my material in their hands. I have been known to interrupt conversations and to chase someone down the aisle
if they happened to miss my booth
as they stroll by.
At the CENTS Show this year, one attendee seemed to be impressed that I flagged him down and asked me if I got a bonus for the number of contacts I made. Without hesitation, I said, "Yes Sir. I get to sleep with the boss's wife!"
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