Exhibitions Games - 240 corporate exhibitors found trade show

For small-business owners trying to navigate the economic downturn, spending money on trade and consumer shows might seem like a luxury better reserved for more prosperous times. Not so, say many experts, who believe that exhibiting at?or at the very least attending?these events is one of the smartest things that a small-business owner can do, regardless of the state of the economy. Not only do exhibitions provide critical exposure to potential buyers, they also are essential for learning about unfamiliar markets, building personal relationships and getting an up-close look at the competition. Conventions will always be one of the most valuable things you can do, says Andy Birol, owner of Birol Growth Consulting Inc., a business-coaching firm in Solon, Ohio. ?There?s simply a consolidation of buyers in one place. They have money to spend and buying authority to exercise.? Yes, exhibitions can be pricey. In addition to the cost of renting a booth or showroom space, exhibitors? expenses typically include fees for shipping products and display materials. Many convention centers charge for drayage and access to resources such as electricity, phone lines and the Internet. Out-of-towners need to factor in transportation, lodging and dining expenses. Such costs, combined with the bad economy, are leading some exhibitors to pull back. A recent survey of 240 corporate exhibitors found the number of conventions and trade shows they plan to participate in this year will decrease on average to 26 from 31 in 2008, reports Tradeshow Week magazine.

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