By Todd Ramsey

Key Questions:

What’s your ideal trade show?

What motivates your attendance?

What provides a great sense of value for you?

Help us learn your preferences and concerns about industry events by answering these important questions in our latest Mobile Electronics blog post. We want to understand more about how the industry can successfully find more common ground around trade shows and events!

It’s been a discussion for years. Some of the bigger Vegas-based shows, such as International CES and SEMA, have seen changes in attendance by vendors and retailers (a.k.a “buyers”). Other industry-specific trade shows, such as MERA’s KnowledgeFest,  an option for 12-volt specialty retailers, are going through a rebirth. Then there many other suggestions about whether an ideal trade show should allow in consumers, should or shouldn't be tied to a car audio contest, etc. It’s a buffet of suggestions that’s a lot like a pot luck dinner. Nobody seems to have all the same things every retailer and exhibitor attendee wants, but the business of getting together is still very much necessary in our business. Trade shows are still important for retailers and vendors that want to stay plugged in and moving forward in business.

To that end, please help by using your voice (well, actually your keyboard) to provide insight into what principal elements motivate you to attend a national trade show where the focus is on business. If you would like to take the complete survey, click on the link below and fill in all the answers. If you would like to give us some general comments, please leave them in the "comments" section of this blog post (click on "comments" at the bottom).

Click here to take survey

1) What is the main reason you would go to a trade show? (Select only one please)

a) To see manufacturers or find new ones (or if you are representing a manufacturer, to see existing dealers and find new ones)

b) To see/display new products and trends, regardless of whether or not I do business with them right away

c) To see show cars, get ideas for installation trends

d) To attend educational seminars and for general industry enrichment to stay up to speed

e) To network with colleagues from all facets of the industry and build long-term relationships

f) To have a vacation, maybe party a little, and do a little business while there

g) Other - please describe

2) What are two secondary reasons you would go to a trade show? (Choose two)

a) To see manufacturers or find new ones (or if you are representing a manufacturer, to see existing dealers and find new ones)

b) To see/display new products and trends, regardless of whether or not I do business with them right away

c) To see show cars, get ideas for installation trends

d) To attend educational seminars and for general industry enrichment to stay up to speed

e) To network with colleagues from all facets of the industry and build long-term relationships

f) To have a vacation, maybe party a little, and do a little business while there

g) Other - please describe

3) What choices listed would make you more willing to attend a show if the above two questions were addressed? (Select all that apply)

a) Done as a trade-only event

b) Done as a trade AND consumer event

c) Done in conjunction with a car audio contest

d) Done in conjunction with a car show or car-related event (describe)

e) Done in a particular part of the country (describe where and why)

f) Other - please describe

4) What things listed would limit or cut back your willingness to attend a show with the questions 1 & 2 addressed? (Select all that apply)

a) Done as a trade-only event

b) Done as a trade AND consumer event

c) Done in conjunction with a car audio contest

d) Done in conjunction with a car show or car-related event (describe)

e) Done in a particular part of the country (describe where and why)

f) Other - please describe

5) As things stand right now, today...what is (or was) your favorite trade show to attend and why?

Write in your response in your own words

Click on the “Comments” below and just type in your responses by question number as an “Add New Comment.” Let your opinion and voice be heard. Let’s let the industry know what people attending shows want and need in order to come away with a lot of value for their time.

By taking some time to answer these questions and elaborate a little bit on our blog, perhaps we can all get a better understanding of what each of us thinks is the ideal venue for them to be motivated enough to attend.