Hey guys,
I'm going to attend the trade show for the first time. What would you recommend? As I understand, it's a good idea to get a "Three Day Package" so I can access all the educational sessions during the first three days, and walk around the exhibition on the fourth day. I'd appreciate the tips from experienced ISC-ers :)
Statistically, very few people go to the educational sessions. Of the 30,000 or so that go, 10,000 are exhibitors, 20,000 are exhibit attendees and under 1,000 are educational / conference attendees. Partially it's the cost (exhibit attendance is free while education for 3 days is $950), partially it is that the 'education' sessions are generally run by manufacturers who are either explicitly or indirectly pitching their offerings.
You obviously know a lot already and you read IPVM so I am not sure how much value you'll get but if you are up to spending $950, try it out. Curious to hear what you think.
For most integrators, I recommend just going to booths and having conversations with people. At ISC West, a lot of senior people, including on the product side, will be there so you can walk right up or ask the greeter to speak with technical specialists, etc.
It really depends on your goals. I have found for that for me, one day at the exhibits is not enough. The exhibits close at 3:00 on the last day (Friday), and it has been my experience that many exhibitors start to pack up even earlier so that they can get on a flight home.
I usually concentrate on just the exhibits at ISC West, and then go to the GSX (formerly ASIS) conference to attend educational sessions.
It is definitely helpful to go through the program and pick out the specific vendors you want to visit, and then plan your route in advance. I usually have 10 or 15 that I really want to see, so I visit them first. If I still have time afterwards, then I browse the floor.
Dress for comfort and definitely wear comfortable walking shoes. Have fun!
Since this is anonymous.....
First, sign up as a college student from a community college. You will get scanned a lot less and use a disposable email address. Just kidding, I would never openly suggest you falsify your application. ;)
Only hand a business card to someone you would feel comfortable handing your room key and AMEX to.
Day one all (most) the executives that will be there, are there. By day two, half will have had the meetings with other industry management, interviewed employee prospects and left for golf and/or home.
The last day you will primarily see the RSM’s from the West Coast talking to other RSM’s while waiting for the show to close.
There will be that one person that shows up as the booth is closing the last day to discuss an enormous new opportunity they have discovered in Finland tracking fish or something.
Okay, after a few decades of doing this I might be a little jaded.
Good shoes is a must, not every booth will pay for the extra carpet padding.
I can't comment on the education section, but I'd agree with what Michael said about it taking more than one day to hit the expo if you want to have conversations at multiple booths.
Dress comfortably and expect to get scanned by anyone within arms reach of you at any time.
Plan ahead to not eat in the Sands as it's terrible.
Make a hit list of who you want to meet with and set those meetings early.
Feel free to collect as much swag as you're game for.
Talk to people and look around at everything.
Don't be shy. Most of us won't bite. Most.
set the meetings early? Do you mean I will not be able just to stop by the booths and talk to the reps and engineers? Do I have to book a timeslot in advance? Is it that busy?
And what do you guys mean by scanning?
Reps and engineers are generally available (at least some reps and some engineers). However, if you want to speak to a specific rep (e.g., your region) or an executive or a specific specialist, booking in advance is helpful. Almost always you will be able to speak to someone moderately knowledge with minimal wait. It's moderately busy for many booths but almost never too bad.
They scan badges and then spam email you. Some, not all, of courses.
We went last year, and we were looking for a couple different items such as software, visitor entry/call box and I think something else. So we had no specific vendors we wanted to see other than seeing some reps we only talk to on the phone all year.
After day 1, I realized I was never going to see the whole show. So day 2 we walked the WHOLE floor, every aisle, grabbed brochures from anyone we thought we would want to talk to. Then that night I filtered to a select few, put them in booth order and on Day 3 had conversations with all of them.
Of course if everyone follows this strategy I have just hosed myself...
Be prepared for a lot of walking, and a lot of foot traffic. Almost like being in a night club.
I am debating on going this year, but we are not really looking for anything new, are super busy so we may skip this year.
Do not get drunk on your first night there.
Lots of companies will be happy to pour you all the high end liquor you can swallow in exchange for a sales pitch, but the dry air will cause you to have the worst hangover ever. You'll be on your feet for all four days, progressively getting sicker and sicker and progressively getting less and less work done. But you're not there on vacation, you're there to meet people and make money. Don't blow it.
The education are just sales pitches, but really high end ones. If you're considering doing business with a company and they're hosting an info session, maybe consider dropping by, but the real education is meeting people for breakfast before the show starts, so start lining up breakfast meetings with useful people now.
Invest in really good shoes, with ankle support and maybe memory foam inserts. I like to go to the bathroom in the middle of the day, grab a stall, and change my socks for dry ones. You wouldn't think it makes a difference, but it really does.
If you speak to someone for more than a few minutes, hand them a business card or let them scan you. It's just good manners. If you're just going to pop in to a booth for a second and aren't going to take their time, there's really no obligation to let them scan you. I always let them scan me if I'm going to take some swag, but that's on you.
Take protein bars and water with you on the show floor.
I like to keep one pocket for my business cards and another pocket for business cards people give me.
they last time someone tried to pour me with liquor to sell something was in Mexico, during the timeshare presentation. Same crappy technics in a physical security area, who would think :)
Thank you for the advice!
You make it sound like everyone is out of shape wearing diabetic shoes and cannot hold their liquor. There will always be the drunken imbecile crowd, control yourself or do not drink at all.
Depending on your IQ, do not expect to be amazed, it's a rodeo. I would rather attend Def Con as the exemplary security application event instead of ISC west. ISC west is a glorified door contact show. If you are new to the industry, please go for the experience and you can reflect on it later.
Ask questions and get answers to your physical security questions from IPVM team members and fellow subscribers.
