To ALL:
Guess I have indicated that I am not supportive of Trade Shows in general. Make it very clear that I do not support Nepcon West, East, Southwest, Philly, Japan, or UK. Of all of them I feel that there should only be Nepcon West.
As for airplane cost to California I can only say that we make due with what is available. This year the cheapest I have found and booked was about $400. As for rooms I find it easy to get rooms in the anaheim area for around 50-60 a night. This year I thin the room is in the $60 range.
The problem I see with any new show is the space available for exhibits, easy of getting around the area, and hotel cost. I don't think we will find it easy getting around Long Beach?
San Deigo has a great convention center and would certainly hold a PCB / SMT exhibit and have the staff to make it a good show.
My favorite place would be las Vegas, but will CEO's let their people attend a trade show there? Use to when SMT was there!
Some of my principals have informed me that they will participate in the IPC/SMEMA show in 2000 and not Nepcon West. Others have indicated that they are looking into it, but have not made up their minds yet. I would think if the big exhibitors move out then the little ones will also, but would it be different at a new show. The vendors spending over 1m now will do the same there and their area of the show will be very large and the little exhibitor will still have the 10 X 20 booth.
Lets face it, we will always have trade shows, and spend money to go to them, complain about the turnout, setup problems, takedown problems, low lead count, and prepare for the next show.
I have spent the last twenty some years going to these parties and still attend yearly, monthly it seems.
One concern I have is having shows tied directly to an orgainization. We see that with SMI and IMAPS (formally ISHM). It is a good place for olde friends to meet but the turnout to the exhibit hall is very low and the shows become smaller every year. Cost are high in respect to the ROI for doing the show.
So, lets all get ready and go to Nepcon West this year and then the IPC/SMEMA show next year.
And the vendors show prepare themselves and the booth personnel so they come away with something at the end.
Sorry for getting carried away.....
Wayne
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