Nith Sisombath

Do You Feel the “Vibe”?
March 15, 2008

I recently finished my post show report and post show conference call for the Nightclub & Bar Show. Filling out the post show report I came across the topic of “vibe.” They wanted to know what worked, what didn’t and any suggestions to help improve the vibe. I was very excited to see this topic in the report because my last blog was about shows with attitude. “Vibe” is definitely something you can feel and sense. It might not be something you can see but you know it’s there. It fills the tradeshow floor and is felt by everyone. Some are more in tune to it than others but no one can deny they feel something when walking a tradeshow. I also believe that a tradeshows attitude and vibe go hand in hand the difference is that attitude can be seen, felt and is the same for everyone. But vibe is more emotional, more intrinsic, and more individual.

Some of you may think it’s silly to assign human attributes like “attitude” and “vibe” to shows but to me a tradeshow is very emotional and I think it should be because humans are emotional and we are driven emotionally to do almost everything including exhibit and attend tradeshows. If you don’t think a tradeshow is emotional just go to a show like SEMA or CES where the vibe and the attitude are at very high levels and the emotions from the tradeshow overflows into the city. Of course I’m speaking from the show management point of view. To most vendors, general contractors and even to some of your exhibitors, it’s just another show-finish this one and move on to the next. 

I still remember the emotions I felt after my very first tradeshow was over. It was a mixed feeling of loss and sadness…to have worked on something so hard for so long, from the very beginning and to realize that it was over can be very emotional. I was really surprised that it had affected me like this. I think for a show to be good you have to invest not only time, talent and effort but emotion as well. The emotion and the passion that you invest will show through in the shows attitude and vibe. It’s an emotional payoff you don’t get in most carriers but it’s an emotional investment that can drain you as well which is why the tradeshow industry is not for everyone. Stay in the industry long enough and you will see people that threw in the towel after their first show or even before the show was over because putting together a tradeshow is a lot of work and can come with a lot of headaches, sleepless nights, stress, aggravation and responsibility. 

Posted by Nith Sisombath on March 15, 2008 | Comments (0)