Our February print edition is as packed as ever with information critical to all industry professionals. The year, now into the second month, has not yet had time to set any new patterns to reveal what the rest of the year has in store for our industry. This month, we look at our industry through the eyes of our freight carriers. Aleta Walther’s cover piece, “Tradeshow freight carriers hopeful in 2010” sums up the general atmosphere across most of the industry.
I stand by the prediction I made months ago – there will be more major changes to our industry during the next 18 months than in the last 10 years. Even my 30+ years of working in our industry does not give me a clear picture of what the industry will look like (and how it will operate) when the transition period ends.
However, I know a few things for certain. Plenty of great people will still be employed in our industry, and our industry will continue to be an important component in the world of commerce.
Change can be good, but it also can cause panic and uncertainty. During this period of rapid change, critical decisions may be pushed through in haste, without looking at long-range implications, such as unneeded government interference in how our industry does business. For more on this, see pieces on Chicago’s Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) in both sections.
In the meantime, there is plenty of excitement going on with people on the move in new positions all over the country. Also, make sure you take a look at our advance coverage of EXHIBITOR2010 and what the tradeshow about the tradeshow industry is doing to keep its people running, learning and ready for the future.
Also, be sure to enjoy our unique columnists, and keep up with additional happenings throughout our industry and the people who make it work everyday.
Until next month, see you every week on our Web site.
Don Svehla
Group Publisher
