What's new is not necessarily what's needed, and what's hot is not always what's right for your needs. You can get a jump on the selection process by finding out what your peers are using. Some have customized general business applications, others have implemented niche products for special functions. His management team has just developed, from scratch, a customized system. Kathleen Kaiser, President of Kathleen Kaiser Associates in Ventura, CA, has done exactly this for her show management firm.
Powerful tools are out there.
Whether they're producing multiple shows or just one, public or trade, these show managers are realizing cost savings through the speed and accuracy an integrated software system provides. Of the specialized packages available, there are wares that appeal to various management styles. Before you shop, define your requirements. You'll probably want to use the most efficient database management program. If you routinely rearrange booth assignments, then automated floorplan design will be an attractive feature.