Strive Notes

photo credit: Simon Grossi

I spent the day yesterday at the ACPO-APA International Policing Exhibition and Summer Conference, with a client.  From a media relations perspective it was a successful day with lots of meetings and interviews. But, as is usual in modern-day trade shows, there was pretty much no footfall. No visitors to the stand except other exhibitors, as far as I could see.  I question the value.

And the conference venue was diabolical.  It took place at the brand new Liverpool Arena, and while I can see why it would be a great venue to see a concert, as a trade show floor, it was, shall we say, lacking.  Getting a signal on my mobile was challenging.  I had to run upstairs to make calls.  Getting a wireless network was near on impossible too.  One reporter I spoke to was turning red in frustration trying to file a story with a network that just kept dropping out.

What about the press room? What a joke!  Half a shell stand, two chairs and magazine rack.  How can you do business in such an environment?

And don’t get me going about the catering.  There was none. Well not much. A few manky jacket potatoes at £5 each and that you had to eat standing up.  For a hall full of hundreds, maybe over a thousand people! No place to sit down for a meal?  For two days? What are they thinking?

I’ve never been a fan of trade shows, but yesterday’s was the absolute worst.  I pity our clients that are stuck there for another day.

Filed under: public relations