I attended Hostex and the few exhibitors that were there. It was not as bad as Montreal’s Rendez-Vous but it was missing something. Many manufacturers and distributors weren’t present. I don’t know why for sure. Is it because there is a remaining feud between them and the organisation or something? One thing that did surprise me and it was the first time I have ever heard of such a thing. It appears that at least one exhibitor was robbed. Equipment missing come Sunday morning. So not only they had had to pay a good amount of money to be there including all the expenses it involves but they are out of a couple of pieces of equipment. Ouch!
Aside from that I encourage all the techs out there to go and visit those trade shows. They are a good source of information about the equipment they service or will service. Some of these equipment on display are working. so it is a good thing to see how they are suppose to work before the user messes them up. ;)
I always look for new equipment as well. To tell you the truth I didn't see anything "wow!" Some new models of dishwashers and cooking equipment but nothing that tickled my fancies. It's okay though. I got to renew friendship with some people I get to meet once a year. That is what is called networking. Making friends with other people in the industry. you never know where a something will be coming from. Opportunities, who knows?
In any case, beside a fire alarm in mid afternoon, there isn't much to report. But hey it's only me. I was there just a few hours and I didn't speak to everyone. I am sure someone else has something worthy to report. I didn't attend any of the conferences. Well I didn't see anything that was interesting me. Those trade shows should have service seminars or something about service. Because, like it or not we get to fix the things they sell. There is nothing worst for a distributor or manufacturer to assume the service tech was trained enough and will know what to do.
