As part of my day job I’m now actively involved with running a lot of events and I attend almost every major consumer show in the Toronto area. The annual Autoshow is back in town and all the local media is a buzz with Automotive news. I was at the show on Friday with my father. This got me thinking about ideas to improve the show for both vendors and attendees:

1/Know your buyer
I’m over 6′ and too many of the vehicles at the show have the driver seat locked in the far forward position to show off the back seat. I know we’ve all heard of back seat drivers but how many do you think will buy cars in 2007? I don’t think there’s a bigger turn off for a buyer than thinking the car is too small to be comfortable which is exactly what happens with the seat way forward. Some of the smarter vendors, like Volkswagon, have their cars powered so that the driver can adjust accordingly. I’m not sure why all vendors do go this route, maybe its the cost of electrical at the show?

2/Stop the fake Viral BS
Almost every year some mysterious person comes up to me while in a vehicle and tells me “How they bought car XXX and love it, best car ever…”. Watching the person for 10 mins you can see him/her cycling around a particular vendors both repeating the same story like a canary. Its embarassing for the person and the car manufacture, you know who you are…

3/Make it easy
At every show I see less and less people lugging around a large back full of crap. I don’t believe most people want brochures, handouts etc.. Some people want more information and an ability to follow-up. Get an email address and enough information to provide more details later. You don’t need my date of birth, sex, dental history etc… Make it simple.