Wednesday, November 15, 2006

What's a 10-letter word for "award-winning satellite TV system"?

Visually, METS is unlike any U.S. trade show I've attended, either with KVH or other organizations. Shows like SEMA and CES present a remarkable sense of organized chaos (well, sometimes just chaos). Exhibitors pay for X square feet of exhibition space and anything goes within that space. Exhibits are wide open and sprawl throughout the space with an explosion of color, banners, things hanging from the ceiling, noise, all designed to be more compelling, louder, and suck you in like a carnival attraction while allowing a free flow of traffic that, conversely, makes it difficult to navigate and find what you're looking for without excessive wandering.

METS is regimented, framed by right angles, walls, and clearly marked booths that gives you the sense of exhibiting inside a giant crossword puzzle. It's easy to find what you want, provided you have a show directory with the halls and booth numbers listed. However, it does take some of the surprise out of the booths themselves. On the other hand, it levels the playing field a bit as the products are forced to live or die on the skill and professionalism of the staff manning the booth and answering questions, rather than on noise, flash, and other eye candy.

OK, I've got to get back to work. If you need me, I'll be in 1 Across, "a 3-letter word for world-leader in mobile satellite TV and much more."

A visitor's eye view of the METS show