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Blue Dots will Solve our Problems...

July 3, 2009
Recently, one of our more verbose community commentators, DevilsAdvocate, offered his thoughts on a recent post: Here Comes The Next Great Technology Thing for Exhibitions and Events.  While mixing in a little humor, his criticism had some valid observations.

I predict that in the year 2015 our industry will still not have standards, and as a result, the hodgepodge of solutions being brought to this industry every year will continue to be laughed at by the real world. Without standards every important innovation that could make a difference in this market will be DOA.

Sadly, I think DevilsAdvocate may be right.  His point hits on one of my biggest soapbox topics – our industry will continue to suffer until we find a better approach to data management and accepted standards.  While using the term ‘we’ in a collective sense, the real catalyst for change is placed firmly at the feet of our large show producers, show organizers and associations.
  
Every time I bring up this topic with some of our industry leadership, there is agreement that ‘something’ must be done.  The question is when and who?  Hopefully, before 2015, efforts to move forward will come to fruition. 

Until then, DevilsAdvocate’s prediction for 2010 stings with sarcastic truth:

My technology predictions for 2010? Red dots on foreheads. “I predict that this technology application will quickly dominate and you will be seeing it applied as a valuable solution to many exhibition and event industry issues.”

I strongly disagree.  Blue dots are really the optimal solution.

Posted by Stephen Nold on July 3, 2009 | Comments (0)