I recently attended The NBM Show in Austin, Texas, and the experience reminded me of the important role that trade shows play in the success of sign and graphics providers. Now normally I hate sports analogies, but if you think about it, you can compare running a shop to participating in a highly competitive sport. And as with any sport, you need to constantly improve in order to survive and move ahead. 

 

Attending an industry trade show is like preparing for a season of competition. It’s your chance to gain an advantage by checking out new equipment and by training with pros who offer inside knowledge that can give you an edge. Where else can you go where you can see hundreds of the latest products up close and personal, have your questions answered by knowledgeable vendors and find what you need to become more effective?

 

At The NBM Show, even before you set foot on the trade show floor, you can immediately improve your game by taking advantage of the wide-ranging seminar programs. This is where the coaching game comes in, where professional instructors share their deep knowledge and winning strategies and where you can you hone your business skills to a whole new level.

 

The show floor itself is exciting with so many products and services being presented. And of course, new products are often demonstrated live right on the floor, giving you a great opportunity to judge their performance for yourself. Seeing equipment up close and personal is a must, particularly if you are considering a large acquisition. As an added bonus, vendors at trade shows frequently offer special pricing—deals that you won’t find anywhere else.

 

There is a lot of value, not only in what you are buying from suppliers, but also in what they can bring to your business game. Vendors can provide valuable insights—not only in how best to use the products they sell, but they can also offer good information on the markets you serve. Oh, and did I mention the free stuff? The swag opportunities at trade shows are incredible.

 

If you’re going to be doing business in the big leagues, you need to be aware of the latest technologies, and how they will affect what you do. And having so many suppliers together in one location makes it that much easier to investigate what’s new, and cut down on the time spent researching through other means. 

 

Similarly, at trade shows you can compare the products and services being presented. By interacting with the various exhibitors, you can see for yourself how their offerings stack up against their competitors’. This places more power in your corner and allows you to provide your team with the best information possible, allowing you to make smart, informed choices for your business.

 

And the best thing about The NBM Show is that since there’s more than one of them—each is held in a different location—there’s bound to be one close to your neighborhood. Avoid the hassle of traveling clear across the country, do your trade show training somewhere closer to home. So make plans now to attend The NBM Show this year. There are still three more opportunities—Indianapolis, June 9-11; Long Beach, Aug. 11-13; and Baltimore, Sept. 8-10. I hope to see you there!

 

Okay, back to work.