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

I like 20 minutes + Q&A

How about a Sales and Marketing Book Store (could sell other stuff too) where people could buy any title for $5 while supplies last. (Get authors and publishers to donate) The key would be to keep the bookstore full and just put sold out stickers once the number of books has been bought, then people could come back an hour or two before end of conference and pick up title.

I would agree with all of your's and Seth's comments about how bland trade shows can be, however, there will always be some degree of "appealing to the masses" unless you as an attendee become an active praticipant in making the show better. If you want one-on-one face time with a speaker contact them before the show and arrange a meeting or a round of golf. Anything can be accomplished at a show you just have to let the exhibitors and speakers know what you want them to show you, if not, they will just speak to the wide audience. I would like to see more production companies use the web to gather pre-determind questions and or requests so that the presentation can be custom tailored to those who attend. Pre-show dialogue would make trade shows so much better. More info can be found on my blog too - http://trade-show-display-booths.blogspot.com/. Thanks for the stimulating post!

Dan, Somewhat belatedly (I just now came across your post), here are additional ideas for future conferences:

I call this one: Prancing with the Stars. =] Let’s say you’ve invested in a speaker whom your event attendees are clamoring to see and deeply respect. In the weeks leading up to your meeting, hold a contest in which the top 20 or so winners [and perhaps your event sponsors] get their own intimate, elbow-rubbing reception and photo opp with this presenter while he’s onsite. Timed right, this addition has a FIVE-fold benefit: It costs you almost nothing…generates huge event buzz….builds productivity (presuming that the contest is work related ;) …..creates a longtime memory among everyone who participates…..AND makes you the meeting hero.

Another one, related to the 20-minute limit...and maybe you've heard of it: Pecha Kucha. Pecha Kucha is actually Japanese for chatter. I like what author Dan Pink writes in Wired about it: “Get to the PowerPoint in 20 Slides Then Sit the Hell Down.” It’s all about fast-paced, furiously focused presentations that cover a specific topic in just 20 minutes.

Here's one more...and it's also time-restraining and fast paced: “60 Ideas in 60 minutes.”

You will banish boredom with this free, fast-moving, no-room-for-boredom session. First, choose a key challenge of great interest to your sales audience….AND a trained facilitator. Get a stop watch. Then invite to the stage your best experts (whether outside speakers, internal subject matter gurus, your customers—or a mix). Ready, Set, GO: each expert gets just ONE minute to provide a tip or idea on that subject….and BING!, we move to the next panelist until 60 minutes are up. EVERYONE gets practical strategies directly associated with the originally scheduled topic.

If you'd like more, let me know.