Trade Shows and Networking

I attended the FTX West tradeshow in Vancouver last weekend. Trade shows are a great place to see the new technology as well as a great place to do some networking. You won’t find books that cover all aspects of the jobs we do in the industry. So if you run into some issues that you’ve never experienced before a reference book isn’t going to help you. There are lots of spots on the Internet that provide information but the best way I’ve found is to go networking. Belonging to user groups, formed of people who are experiencing issues the same as yourself is just an amazing resource. Tradeshows are the same thing, going around and meeting the exhibitors and the technicians as well as other people who are interested in these products. You have the opportunity to build a large data base of people to talk to so when you have a problem with a certain program or a certain piece of hardware you have a pool of resources to ask those questions and to get you around that issue. Whatever the problem someone will be able to help directly or be able to connect you up with someone else in the know. Manufactures also take note of these networks and design or modify products to better serve their clients. At the tradeshows there is a good chance you’ll meet up with people you communicate with on the Internet, which is usually an interesting experience. I’ve realized that our industry is a small world with the same names popping up in various places. Also on a social issue, the beer and wings that follow these events are well worth attending.