Event Exhibitions. Are they worth it?

As an event manager, I am always looking for the next new trend, the best new hotels and suppliers that push my imagination and event capabilities. It is these suppliers that help grow Clearwater Events and enable us to continually deliver unique, innovative, and exciting events for our clients.

Traditionally, the event exhibition was the place to find just this. an entire hall full of new suppliers with great ideas, combined with larger hotel chains that we all knew and respected. Now with the internet, things are so much easier, and with a simple tap of keys and a click, a whole world of inspiration awaits. So, is there a need for event exhibitions?

I'd like to approach this from two perspectives: as a buyer of supplier services and as a seller of event and destination management services.

I can attend one of many exhibitions both in the UK and overseas, and no matter how far I travel, I see the same familiar faces. The same suppliers, the same delegates, and the same appalling behaviors of hosted buyers... It gets frustrating seeing the same hotel chains, most of which are very well known. It gets old seeing the same "industry colleagues" swanning around, sipping free fizz and reminding everyone how important and busy they are (which is funny, because those who claim to be the busiest can always be found at a free lunch, trip, or exhibition). Read more