If You Have to Ask ...

Dear Editor:

Re: "New GSC Details Exhibitor Rights" (April 14, 2008)

This idea sounds like it is coming from the right place, and that this is most likely one company that doesn't need it ... and you knew the big "but" was coming: But when you have an industry that needs something like a customer bill of rights, you are in serious trouble.

The only reason you would need something like this is because you treat your customers like (garbage). Anyone hear about the congressional hearings to determine if the airline industry needs a customer bill of rights?

In industries where there is true competition and customers are treated like customers, there are no calls for these kinds of empty feel-good solutions. Like the airline industry, the tradeshow industry has been able to get away with treating its customers poorly and price gouging them because they haven't found a way to live without us. (Well, some companies, like Apple, have).

When the average exhibitor figures out a way to live without tradeshows, our industry will be in serious trouble. Of course, this will fall on deaf ears because too many short-sighted people are making too much money price gouging and treating their customers (poorly).

Rick Calvert, Director of sales, Assn. of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers, Commerce, Calif.

Letters to the editor of Tradeshow Week are always welcome. Please send them to Editor-in-Chief Michael Hart (by mail) Tradeshow Week, 5700 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 120, Los Angeles, Calif. 90036-5804; (by e-mail) hartm@reedbusiness.com ; or (by fax) (323) 965-5306.