Some Thoughts on CES
So, CES 2008 is all wrapped up. Did we get a lot out of it? I think so. The booth was great, albeit very tiring, and I know our management team had fantastic success taking a huge number of meetings in a suite at the Venetian hotel.
So, how do I feel about the show? It’s always an experience. I’m not the biggest fan of Las Vegas and all that it has to offer, but I do enjoy looking down at the lights and constant motion from the comfort of a hotel room at the end of each long day.
And the days are very long. My legs have been ready to give out for quite some time, as has everyone else’s that joined me on booth duty throughout the stretch of the show. It’s very interesting - being the Sands, you sometimes feel like you are coming in second to the main convention center. But, that being said, the traffic is a lot of times much more qualified (lead-wise) that just every person stopping by to see what kinda of SWAG they can lay their hands on.
Rachel ran a very successful show. She not only managed to re-brand the company, but also put together an outstanding set of marketing materials, co-ordinated updating our booth with the new brand and really kept everyone in line.
It was amazing and inspiring to see. I really do feel like I know more about how to successfully go to a trade show with a business after seeing her in action. I could never do what she did, mind you…
Of course, the proof is always in the follow-up and the results. They all need to be measured to ensure success of the show is defined well and appropriately.
I did chat with several folks out on the show floor that mentioned they either a) did not like going to CES or b) were thinking of not coming back next year. It was certainly evident that attendance and interest was down, even from only one year ago. I could definitely see having more success by just setting up a ton of meetings in a suite somewhere.
But, the booth is fun. And, it gives you that chance to experience something with your team that isn’t something everyone goes through. It certainly lets you develop a unique bond that carries forward to the next year - being able to trade war stories and memories.
Me? I’m happy we’re headed out tomorrow and will get to sleep in my own bed next week. That is going to be amazing, for sure. I do wish I got to record more Seesmic videos, but alas, no wireless connectivity from our booth made that job extremely difficult.
