sehthan
03-08-2007, 07:28 PM
Steven,
In this week's column, you mention that convention attendance is up, but sales on the floor are down. While I understand why dealers would be concerned by this trend, I can't say I'm surprised.
The value of conventions to the consumer is different than what it used to be. When I started going to conventions (which was the mid-90's, not that long ago) they served for me two concrete purposes: 1) finding information on cool new projects, and 2) buying hard-to-get goods I couldn't find anywhere else. But these days, the internet fills both roles far more efficiently, and on-demand.
I still look forward to SDCC or Anime Expo each year, but the appeal of it for me now is mostly socializing with friends I only get to see a few times a year. The event itself, while still fun, just doesn't seem essential in any practical terms anymore. It's less about what I want to do there, and more about just wanting to be there. It's fun to feel a part of a huge event with like-minded fans, but that doesn't really require much participation beyond attendance. You certainly don't need to buy anything to feel like part of the party.
The value of a convention for the consumer, as I think you observed once about Anime Expo, is primarily social now. Maybe dealers who can't afford to view shows as promotion for their stores, getting face time with customers they otherwise might not, need to consider if conventions have anything to offer them any more. Of course, selfishly, I still like to browse dealers on the floor even if I'm one of the ones not spending as much at the show.
What do you think the value of a show is these days?
In this week's column, you mention that convention attendance is up, but sales on the floor are down. While I understand why dealers would be concerned by this trend, I can't say I'm surprised.
The value of conventions to the consumer is different than what it used to be. When I started going to conventions (which was the mid-90's, not that long ago) they served for me two concrete purposes: 1) finding information on cool new projects, and 2) buying hard-to-get goods I couldn't find anywhere else. But these days, the internet fills both roles far more efficiently, and on-demand.
I still look forward to SDCC or Anime Expo each year, but the appeal of it for me now is mostly socializing with friends I only get to see a few times a year. The event itself, while still fun, just doesn't seem essential in any practical terms anymore. It's less about what I want to do there, and more about just wanting to be there. It's fun to feel a part of a huge event with like-minded fans, but that doesn't really require much participation beyond attendance. You certainly don't need to buy anything to feel like part of the party.
The value of a convention for the consumer, as I think you observed once about Anime Expo, is primarily social now. Maybe dealers who can't afford to view shows as promotion for their stores, getting face time with customers they otherwise might not, need to consider if conventions have anything to offer them any more. Of course, selfishly, I still like to browse dealers on the floor even if I'm one of the ones not spending as much at the show.
What do you think the value of a show is these days?