The Return of the Old Days

For years, large-scale consumer shows had been losing their magic. Attendance was dwindling, not just at our show, but across the entire industry. The buzz, the crowds, the excitement slowly fading. As the organizer of the annual show, I couldn't let that continue on my watch.

In my second year at the helm, the team and I decided to take a risk. What if the problem wasn’t the shows themselves but the barriers we had built around them? Malls were packed every weekend, and they didn’t charge an entry fee. Meanwhile, our industry had long accepted that consumers should pay just to walk in. So, we slashed entry fees, knowing full well we’d take a hit at the gate. The decision wasn’t just about the numbers; it was about testing a theory, about reigniting something that had been lost.

And then - the region showed up.

The halls were alive again, packed wall-to-wall with excited attendees. The energy was electric. Exhibitors were rushing up to me with wide eyes and amazed smiles. “I haven’t seen so many people in years!” one said. Another, out of breath, declared, “I need to run to the warehouse. I’ve completely run out of product!”

Even my boss, a man not easily impressed, pulled me aside. He looked around, took it all in, and finally said the words that made it all worth it: “This feels like the old days.”

That weekend wasn’t just a show; it was a revival. The old days were back, and I was proud to have played a part in bringing them home.