by Chloe Mahendra-Fuji, Print Diva
Hi! I’m Chloe, and I’m a Tradeshow addict.
And I don’t need a program to change me.
Here’s the thing. There is nothing like a tradeshow, any size or venue, to help recharge your ideas on business, communication options, and design ideas. It’s like being in a shopping mall! All I want is an unlimited budget and enough time to meet with every company that has a booth. If there is a conference attached I’m in seventh heaven! Shopping and learning in one location. Can it get any better?
Now that my secret is out it won’t surprise you that I was roaming the aisles at GRAPH EXPO 2014 in Chicago. From Sunday when the gates opened to Wednesday when they herded us out I was up and down the aisles looking at an incredible array of hardware, software, finishing and accessories. There were mega companies and mini companies, and every size along the way. There were a lot of digital presses worth taking a serious look at, and software solutions for our changing world. It used to be that when you went to GRAPH EXPO in the old McCormick Place you had sharp separations between the offset press vendors, the prepress and plate sellers, and not a software company in sight. I can remember going down the escalator to the lower floor and from halfway down all you could smell was the hot glue of the binders and ink solvents. Today the story is more about doing more, faster, at higher levels of quality, and on more types of papers and other substrates. I found a lot of interesting ideas that I’ll be using!
While I was there, I did drop in on The Printerverse, hosted by PrintMediaCentr. During the week, this was a place to stop in for an iced tea and some learning. The Alliance Partners did what I needed and gave me information without sales pitches. And it was a chance to hang out with LadyScanalot! The other really wonderful part of The Printerverse is the alliance with GirlsWhoPrint. That mentorship panel (it’s up on YouTube) should be a “Must See ‘Em” for anyone who works with print!
I could go on and on, but the real story is that tradeshows aren’t dead. If you aren’t attending, you are missing something special. And you are missing the chance to find things that will differentiate your business in this crazy world.
I know I’m being optimistic, but I am a Print Diva. More from the Life in Print next time!
Chloe Mahendra-Fuji practices the fine arts of design critique, content creation and editing, and communication consulting. She has decades of experience working in online content delivery, print delivery, and content development. Chloe is also a gossip maven. Send your rumours and back channel notes to ChloePrintDiva@gmail.com. She says, “Have you guessed? CMF is my AKA! You’re safe with me!” Connect with Chloe on Twitter: @ChloePrintDiva
