Another Fairy Tale
I’ve been in Chicago for the last few days at a major event for analytical chemistry – Great stuff if you like watching CSI or NCIS, which are two programs on our must list.
This show is, as I believe, in its 60th year – with continuous growth – that is 60 years of trade show excellence!
Here in Chicago, there are over 1000 exhibitors. Many are veteran players with the association but there are quite a few new players as well.
Attendance for the show is on par with last year’s event and McCormick Place South is literally buzzing with phrases like “Mycotoxin Analysis” and “Laser Desorption/Ionization MS for Biological Specimen Analysis”.
Personally, it’s way beyond me, but fascinating nonetheless.
What is equally fascinating is this – In the midst of what we are told is the worst economy in decades, here is a trade show that continues to grow!
The show floor is full of new or almost new company displays – exhibits that are full of new technology and instruments and the aisles are full of exhibitors and attendees with buying authority. All this stands in defiance of whatever news we are being fed daily.
Do these folks know something that we don’t know? Are they ignoring the news we see daily?
If you believe the papers, we are on the brink of extinction and trade shows don’t work anymore because people don’t want to actively meet with other people.
I think it is a bunch of hooey – The folks at CSI would probably agree
