Rapidly rising event ticket prices and a dwindling array of shows will move the cost of education back on to the shoulders of industry. In general, trade shows make their money by selling tickets, selling booths and sponsorships and by not paying the speakers at the events. In other words, every increment of the trade show experience is driven by a Marketing agenda. The very best way to tell whether a show is worth attending is by asking about the budget for speakers. If speakers are 'volunteering', the show is probably less than it appears to be.
Speakers only volunteer when they have something to sell.
In the near term, this disturbing trend portends strong growth for consultancies like the Tiburon Group or R.D. Raab . These firms are willing to help a client all the way through the process of vendor selection and integration while providing training and related services. A more competitive one. Manage every step of the placement process. Establish a stronger presence on the web.