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Readers praise show floor, networking at ISC West

Readers praise show floor, networking at ISC West Seventy one percent of respondents said if they could attend one show a year, ISC West would be it

YARMOUTH, Maine—ISC West is one of those marquee tradeshows whose reputation precedes itself. Slated for April 1-4 at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas, the sprawling show seems to have something for everyone, whether you're there for education sessions, the exhibit floor, the networking or all of the above.

The diversity of options seems to be the biggest draw for attendees, according to readers who responded to the latest SSN News Poll. Seventy one percent of respondents said if they could attend only one show annually, it would be ISC West.

“I like the ISC West show best because it lasts long enough to see all of the vendors of relevance to me, as well as meet many of my educational requirements,” one reader noted. “The location helps as well by turning the entire trip into a business and personal experience.”

Another reader described the show as “vital to my business success.”

The exhibit hall, open from April 2-4, is the biggest draw, according to the poll results, with 60 percent of respondents saying it's the most important part of the show. About 40 percent of respondents say the networking opportunities carry the most appeal for them, whether they take place on the show floor, casino or out on the links.

David Scott, owner of DS2 Reps, a manufacturers' rep firm, says the show floor is the place to go for anyone in his line of work. “As a manufacturers' rep, I don't go to ISC West for the education/training sessions,” he said. “I go to stay up to speed on products and manufacturers. This is the best place for me to do that.”

Respondents were roughly split between those who said the education sessions were useful both for education and networking purposes (40 percent), and those who say they devote more time to scoping out exhibits on the show floor and networking there (46 percent).

And as with any jam-packed event with more events, panels, exhibits and sessions than any single individual can hope to possibly attend, planning ahead and budgeting time accordingly is key to getting the most out of the show and the networking opportunities. As one reader noted: “I use [ISC West] for networking, and I'll have meetings, dinners and breakfasts, etc. scheduled in advance.”

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