CEO's And Trade Shows

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CEO’s should man the stand at trade shows.   Companies buy exhibition space in convention centres in Warsaw, Riyadh or Toronto to display their products, source new customers and interact with existing ones.

It is therefore frustrating to visit a company’s exhibition stand only to be given brochures and told to visit the website.  It really defies logic.  What is the point of trade exhibitions?  One would think it is an opportunity for a company or group of companies to elucidate their strengths, output and potential.
Trade shows have massive budgets that include air travel, hotel accommodation and entertainment for company employees.  It is money down the drain if visitors to the company’s stand find junior staff playing with their cellphones and not standing outside to welcome potential customers or investors.

 Come to think of it, it is the CEO’s fault for not manning the stand.  He or she is the most qualified to sing the company’s praises, past and present.  He or she understands current and technological threats.

 Next time you visit a trade show stand, decline the brochures with the company’s website, Twitter and Facebook.  Just tell them that you were hoping to talk with a live human being about why the company is at a trade show.

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.

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