Bar Show 09

I've been running TBB 'officially' since July 2004. And since that day i have always had god knows how many calls EVERY year from the guys at Bar Show to err, how should i put it, 'give them thousands of pounds to borrow a few square metres of floor' at Earls Court.
Having attended almost every other show within the industry, i don't know how but until this year i had never been able to attend the Bar Show.
So to be honest i was quite excited to be finally attending this year as i guess it is classed as the 'cool' show of the industry, so i was looking forward to meeting some of the big players and hopefully strike some deals.
What a disappointment!
i guess I'm no longer the target market for this kind of trade show. if your between 18 & 25 and fancy getting pi$$ed for free then it's definitely your show.
Don't get me wrong there was a small but diverse selection of companies from catering suppliers and manufacturers, the usual furniture suppliers, but obviously being bar, it was mainly about energy drinks, cocktails, vodka, tequila and ohh yes more energy drinks!!
I had seriously considered having a stand at bar this time round, but am glad i held off, as I'm pretty sure it would have been a wasted expense as many of the supplier / services stands were simply being walked by, as it looked like the majority of visitors were mainly interested in the free booze . To be honest you can't really compete with that unless you have a stand full of top heavy lovelys promoting your product!!, So something for future companies to consider if exhibiting at the bar show. Free booze!!!