Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Ironworks and ePublishing

Over the years, I have been a frequent visitor to the huge vaulted Victorian building that is the main hall at Olympia, London. This week sees the Online-Information show.

For many people these trade shows are important opportunities for meeting clients and signing deals. Indeed, many stands (they call them booths in the USA), have little areas with tables and chairs set up for meetings.

furthermore...

Company stands vary in size to reflect the sizes of the companies exhibiting and there is always competition to see who can make the biggest impact.

The big companies have glossy backdrops and grand typography, lots of computers, and free gifts (I wrote one time about Trade Show trophies). I picked up a selection of pens and packs of mints.

One stand that was grabbing a lot of attention was Trexy (a web based search trail tool), who were giving away fluffy toy goats. I got a couple for my children! Their stand reminded me of a fairground with lots of flags, flashing lights and fluffy toys hanging everywhere. They were even running a 'throw the hoops' game. So, small stands can get attention.

EPS Ltd. had the smallest stand ever, but it was their first time. Location makes a big difference, and their position in the main thorough fair gave them advantage over the slightly larger stands on the periphery.

I have recorded a few interviews for the Podcasts I plan to run over on PublishingHub (more on this soon), and one of them is with Dan Penny of EPS. The others are covering some Content management Systems of which there are many on display at this show.

Next time to go to Olympia is for the BETT show 2007