In considering whether to attend a trade show, examine your educational goals. Many managers complain that they have an education budget that they can't spend. That is, they are too busy working to take the time, even though education is thought to be among the most important factors in an organization's growth and in professional growth. While no hard numbers exist as to how much education makes a difference, we do know it is important. Information Alchemy Fierce competition forces companies to take on ever more complicated and ambitious projects and competition in the job market forces employees to refine and update their skills.
Constant education is the only way to keep up.
Trade shows and conferences, carefully selected, are some of the best, most cost-effective learning resources. The information is there. It's up to you to turn that information into knowledge. There is one reason I still attend conferences. Even taking the journals, Web, CBT and other sources of information into account, a decent conference is the best way to achieve your educational goals.