Utah Gossip

I realize that’s a potentially volatile title, but I’ll explain. I went up to the Salt Lake Business to Business Expo today. It was a well-put-together show, even if it didn’t have as much traffic as I had expected.

One thing that tops my pet peeve list for these shows is the number of freeloaders who wander in after hearing about a show on the radio or TV or whatever. Now, I’m all for helping people who aren’t as privileged as others. I think it’s noble and support organizations that do so. But business to business expos aren’t the place for it, as much as our resident looky-loos would like to think they are.

When people come to these, they expect to mingle and explore business ideas for their company that they have a valid say in. Even a casual expo-goer who may only find one or two booths worth visiting for his or her situation is adding value to a business expo. The SWAG (Stuff We All Get = Free junk at shows) collectors aren’t adding any value and, quite opposite, would dissuade businesses that are putting a lot of effort into reaching actual potential clients.

So when is it OK to discriminate? Put someone at an exclusive entrance at a business expo to check business cards as people come in. They could ask a simple question like, “what do you do for your business?” and painlessly deny entry to 95% of the freeloaders at shows. It doesn’t have to be rude and it’s not illegal to simply say, “it actually doesn’t appear that you are a qualified candidate for this show.” It will benefit the exhibitors because they know they’re getting qualified traffic for their time, money, and effort. It benefits expo-goers because they know they’re not waiting to talk to a company’s rep for the SWAG collector to spin the wheel they’ve got set up. And it benefits the expo organizers because the people they’re trying to please (exhibitors and legitimate attendees) will be praising their name for a really well-done expo. Salt Lake Chamber, do you hear me?