DHI Trade Show Orlando

For the first time in many years, I decided not to have my company exhibit at the annual Door and Hardware trade show, even though it is near (in Orlando). The cost was just too great, and a survey of customers seemed like about a quarter of the typical crowd would be coming. But, I decided to attend to help staff a trade association booth, be a co-presenter on technical hollow metal programs, and attend some industry classes. And to take our customer service coordinator with me.

Was it a good decision?

First day here we had a committee meeting and made plans for technical presentations for the next day. The mood of most manufacturers that we met and talked to was somber. Too many people being laid off, not enough work, bringing out new products in hope of generating some interest. And everyone wondering if tomorrow would bring distributors to the show to see the new products, and to try to drum up some sales.

Good parts of today included flights arriving early into their destinations, pretty smooth flights, and a really nice dinner at a Japanese restaurant with a group of 6 people total. The hotel I am booked at was at one time really nice, but the guest rooms are showing some wear. The lobby and public places have been renovated and kept up. At one time this was probably a really nice resort. Now, it is just OK.

The convention center at Gaylord however is another story. Very opulent. A smaller version of the Opryland Hotel in Nashville.

First day of Show - Industry Marketplace

Our committee was pleasantly surprised at the attendance at our sessions. First session had only about 14 people, (too early), but then we went up to 22, 24 and finally 29 at the final session. Since some of the industry marketplaces had only 4-5 people at their sessions, then ours was a rousing success. I had really good 'face time' in front of distributors, and this alone made my visit here worth while. Especially since later on in the day, a number of the attendees stopped to thank me for the presentation, and the obvious work that went into it.

First day of Show - Forum for the Future

Let's say I am not into writing really depressing blogs. The economist was an excellent speaker, with humour and good stories, but in between those parts were graphs upon graphs upon graphs, and the trends were not cause for rejoicing. But we can also say that the food was good. The attendance was close to 1000 people by my estimates. Give us free food, and we will come!!

Trade Show - from the view of a "Non Exhibiting Manufacturer" *Brown Badge*

Not being an exhibitor means there is no "home plate" to return to after talking to people, no place where people know they can find you and so forth. That being said, not exhibiting has given me a lot more time to talk to the vendors that provide product to our company, and search out new products that might be of use to us.

There were not a lot of distributors on the show floor, but those that were there really wanted to talk, to learn and to get information. It made me sad that we didn't have a booth when I saw all of our competitors booth, but I still know that it was the right decision. Today, I will be signing up for a booth in Chicago - a great convention venue. My only question is whether I will get cold feet again next year and pull out. There are a lot of empty booth spaces on the show floor. Many manufacturers are missing in action. Will this keep distributors from returning next year?

More later and I should have a few pictures to post after I return to home base.