Re: Mid-Am Trade Show

**"Christopher P. Lindsey" t*@spamfodder.com**

> Are any of you planning to attend the Mid-Am Trade Show Jan. 14-16 at
> McCormick Place in Chicago?  I went to it in 1999 and was disappointed.
> Previous to that I had been attending the TAN-MISSLARK show that alternates
> between Houston and Dallas.  It's huge--more vendors than any other show.
> But, I understand that Mid-Am has now has increased participation and has
> more variety.  I'm wondering if this show is worth another look.  Your
> opinions please!

Hi Doreen,

   The show is *huge* -- so big, in fact, that they had to move it out
   of Navy Pier to McCormick Place to accommodate all of the vendors
   who want to participate.

   The show definitely caters more towards the industry than the public.
   Very few retail nurseries are represented, but equipment manufacturers,
   wholesalers, container suppliers, etc. are there in full-force.

   I used to go on a regular basis strictly with the intent of networking.
   There *are* quite a few nursery owners who come to the show as
   visitors, but you have to know who they are and where to find them.

   I'd say that Mid-Am's biggest failing is that it's too expensive
   (and until now, didn't have enough space) so that smaller companies
   on the cutting edge weren't able to participate.  I had looked into
   getting a 10x10 booth for Mallorn Computing (the company that I own
   and run to provide technical solutions including Internet service
   providing, etc. for those in the horticulture industry), but Mid-Am
   wanted something like $1000 up front just to be placed on a 2-3
   year waiting list with no guarantee of decent placement (if at all!)
   With the union fees to bring in equipment, getting network access in
   the booth, etc. it was going to cost us about $5000.  For a small
   company without much capital, every penny counts.  I decided that
   it just wasn't worth it.  As a result, Mid-Am really only represents
   the well-established and biggest companies in the industry.

Chris
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