You've Come a Long Way, Baby

A brief history of the trade show industry

From EXHIBITOR magazine

If you think trade shows are the same old, same old, consider this: The first major "trade show" in history was the 1851 Great Exhibition in London, where hawks -- real live ones -- were brought in to control the massive sparrow population that was scavenging "free" food inside the hall.

So, unless you've been to a trade show lately with swooping birds of prey, you'd have to admit the industry's changed quite a bit in the last 100 years or so. And it continues to do so exponentially.

The Evolving Industry -- Accessorizing a Booth -- A Boss without a Grip on Reality

Hello. I'm Caroline Meyers, director of corporate communications for MC² and this month's editor of eConnections, the interactive monthly newsletter that provides you with insights into successful exhibits and events as well as the challenges you face every day.

Are you in a rut when it comes to tradeshows? Are you beginning to think there's nothing new under the sun when it comes to exhibiting? If so, check out this month's feature article and take a magical history tour of trade shows over the past 150 years. Find out where our industry's been -- and where it's going -- in this fun, informative article from EXHIBITOR magazine.

Last month, we included a dilemma from a reader who wanted to know how she could modify her single booth for three different target groups. See what our readers have to say. This month, an event manager faces a problem all too common in today's "hurry up and get it done 'cuz I've got something else for you to do" world. How can he get his boss off his back and back in touch with reality?

Please let us know what you'd like to see in our newsletter that's relevant to your professional life, or take our one-minute survey. Any comments you send will enter you in a drawing for a video iPod^®. Thanks for all your input!

If you'd like to unsubscribe, please use link at the bottom of this newsletter.