A discussion about sales, sales tips and advice, and about those who land the deal

Just got back from a trade show and conference.

It was fine.  Not great, just OK.  The booths were your average 10x10 booths on the trade show floor, and the breakout sessions were in meeting rooms with rows of chairs and a speakers podium up front.

Oh, and they had some PowerPoint slides also.

So when I read Seth Godin's post about Hard Work that I blogged about the other day, one part of his list stuck out in my mind: His observation about conferences.  It's easy to put on a conference, but its hard work to take risks with a conference and make it something original.

So I e-mailed Seth and asked him if he had any further thoughts on the subject of conferences, and how to make them unique.  He kindly replied with a link to a blog post he did on that very subject back in 2005.  Thank you for that, Seth.

So, let me wonder aloud right now about how to make sales conferences and trade shows a little more interesting and original.  I might have the opportunity to create a conference in the near future, and I don't want it to be ordinary...or bland.  I want it to be talked about.  I want it to be Seth-worthy. 

Here are some ideas.  PLEASE comment back and add one or two good ones of your own:

• A circular stage that rotates.
• Outside meeting areas.
• Speakers that award free sandwiches for every good answer to a question.
• No session longer than 20 minutes.
• One-on-one time for the rest of the day with session speakers.

There has got to be a better way to put on conferences.  There just has to be.  Help make it happen.  Any advice you could give would be appreciated.