ME Shows

Edited By Ady1 on 15/01/2012 13:05:32

Many of the points made here are valid.

For traders, attending shows is like a balancing act of needing to be seen and/or making a profit. Traders may see a spike in revenue from sales at a show, but in many cases, it is "fools gold".

Take ARC as an example. Sales made at a show are fantastic, if you have the right number of visitors who you manage to service. ARC can account for each item sold at the show with a clear audit of costs, revenue and profit from attending, because all ARCs products are barcoded and scanned through the tills. How many other traders can provide this level of accountability?

In my opinion, if traders were to carry out this exercise, many of them would find that the profits made are in fact very marginal, or they break-even, or they run at a loss. Not knowing the real picture, they think they have done very well, with the common statement to themselves "it will all come out in the wash at the end of the financial year".

Revenue and profit are not the only driving factor. "Fear" that one will loose out to competitors is also a factor. If company X is attending, why isn't company Y?.Company Y will loose out?..Question is will they really??, only company Y can answer that one .

"Needing to be Seen".."waving the flag"..these are also reasons for attending. Other then instant sales and profit, this is a good reason for attending, with hope that future sales can be obtained.

This year, ARC will be attending the show at Harrogate with machines only, taking the option of "needing to be seen - waiving the flag". ARC will not be selling accessories at the show. ARC apologies for this, a decision taken after great consideration of factors mentioned above.

Ketan at ARC.

Edited By David Clark 1 on 15/01/2012 19:27:24

Edited By John Stevenson on 15/01/2012 23:56:42