Trade show companies have themselves to blame

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Dear Editor,

I just received the April issue of Truck News and was concerned over the article about trade show cancellations.

Your editorial comments about a lackluster response and companies not knowing what they are doing are misplaced.

I believe the exhibitors know exactly what they are doing – keeping their non-profitable expenses under control. They are obviously eliminating non-profitable ventures to keep their companies in the black.

If you want to point the finger at someone, how about the trade show companies, such as Reed Exhibitions?

I contacted them at the beginning of this year to find out details of the shows that will be held in 2003. This information is helpful in developing my company in that I can find out what products are available in the trucking and heavy equipment market.

They told me they are not allowed to give out that sort of information and suggested I contact my suppliers or manufactures to find out what shows they will be attending.

How’s that for marketing – secret trade shows!

As for advertising of the shows, companies such as Reed do not advertise but blame the exhibitors for poor turnouts.

The trade show companies have to become more proactive in the promotion of their shows. They also have to stop the nonsense of having to rent waste baskets and chairs from them and threatening that if we don’t, our exhibitor booths may be removed.

The trade show companies know how to take the money for the booths but are lacking in actually promoting the show. They feel they don’t have to be responsible, and if the show doesn’t produce results then they blame the industry.

Peter Durham

via e-mail

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Truck News is Canada's leading trucking newspaper - news and information for trucking companies, owner/operators, truck drivers and logistics professionals working in the Canadian trucking industry.


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