ATLANTA – Putting on a successful trade show is a tricky proposition. You must start with a harsh reality that you can’t please everyone. As the saying goes, “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.”
For example, some people loved the live band at Preview Night during Medtrade East. Others thought they were too loud or not loud enough. Relying on a working formula helps, but that only goes so far.
I interviewed dozens of attendees and exhibitors at last week’s Medtrade East in Atlanta. Fortunately, I encountered an undeniably positive vibe from the vast majority of people. They tend to eye me with suspicion as they glance at my Medtrade badge. When they’re confident I’m not there to present a fantastic network marketing opportunity, I usually get some honest opinions.
On the topic of in-person trade shows, attendees were clearly happy to be face to face with the opportunity to see and pick up products. Networking, education, and deal-making thrived at Medtrade East and it turns out that most of us are sick of Zoom calls.
As editor of Medrade Monday, I collected a lot of opinions. Know that from the exhibitor side, the attendees are appreciated. The vast majority of exhibitors described attendees as “decision makers” or “fully engaged” in relevant conversation. Medtrade may not be as big as it used to be, but the people on the show floor clearly mean business.
The articles in this week’s Medtrade Monday attest to that business-focused ethos, and we’ll be publishing more post-show news in the coming weeks—including closer looks at award winners. If you’re thinking you need to be a part of this the next time around, we encourage you to explore the possibility of Medtrade West. Medtrade West takes place in Phoenix, April 4-6, 2022 in Phoenix, and we hope to see you there.
Greg Thompson is editor of Medtrade Monday.