To Show or Not to Show

I posted this as a blog on my main page. I am posting it here to get any thoughts from my fellow cost junkies :)

I started planning my trip to the NRA Chicago food show in mid February. Naturally, the first thing I did was ask my friends & associates in the industry if they would be attending. As you might expect, many of them used lines like- “Not in this Economy” or “We are cutting back this year (show included)”.

Now, being one of operators that has been affected (down a modest 10%), I understood why my friends & associates would not be attending. It’s time to tighten the belt! It’s time to save pennies and watch the dollars grow! Or….. It’s time to look around me and do what seems right.

I had a revelation when I was at the show this year. This was not the right time to tighten the belt. Food shows are the catalyst for creative ideas and operational change. These are just the two things we need in a tough economy.

I left this year’s show with a piece of equipment that will help drive sales. I left this year’s show with a labeling solution that will help improve food safety and food costs. I left this year’s show with a new quick service brand to add to our portfolio. I left this year’s show with new relationships that I will have for a lifetime. Most of all, I left this year’s show with a sense of hope and optimism. I am renewed and ready to take on this economy one customer at a time!

This blog is not intended for those who really could not make it due to a financial catastrophe. This is meant for those who were on the fence and did not go; or those of you who were on the fence and did go; or even those who never questioned it for a second. Please share your thoughts!