[Greenbuilding] Greenbuild 2007 - Are you wailisted?

[Allison Friedman]

Hello everyone - 

 

I hear 100 companies are waitlisted for the show this year, including mine.
This was not intentional, and the show's organizers do seem sympathetic.  I
am just not sure they have the time and energy to do something about this
without a push and some friendly help?  And I am willing to put some time
into this, but only if I know I am working for a group bigger than 1..  Is
anyone else anxious about this out there?  Write me if you'd like to find a
helpful way for these companies to be included in some way?  Maybe a booklet
or leaflet or something?  Or an event at an off-hour or in an alternate
space where companies can show themselves off at least a little?  Here were
some thoughts I sent the Greenbuild folks:

 

I do think there might be ways to accommodate even 100 companies - maybe we
ask if anyone wants to volunteer their spot for a grateful acknowledgement.
I really have heard people say they want to cut back - but yet they feel
obligated to do the big shows.  Maybe if they knew some of us were really
desperate?  Other thoughts:

 

-An evening event with small booths?  (Something that would cost money to
participate in but would not conflict with or threaten people who got
premium daytime expo hall space - we are a community, so I do think people
would be open to other activities that helped the conference be more
inclusive?)

 

-A special event for networking for companies that couldn't get in? 

 

-Maybe a flyer or something to show off companies that were waitlisted?

 

-Hall displays or other creative spaces that don't violate any rules

 

-Less expensive forms of sponsorship for things people at the show will get
exposed to?  Maybe I would sponsor some type of host space if we could
afford it.

 

-Some smaller booth spaces, or an opportunity for some companies to partner
and show off multiple mutually beneficial products in a single space (I know
a few companies who share booths at some shows)?  (We showed off 6 products
at the NESEA show, and all the companies said they'd like to find cheaper
ways to show themselves off.One company pitched us after the show about
representing them at future shows.)  I also think there's a possibility to
break up some existing spaces if people are willing - I mean, I bet all the
concrete folks would get together and do 10x7's for example if it let more
people in the show?  Everyone just seemed so nice and supportive last year.
And so many of these companies want to save money but fear "not being a part
of things."

 

Are there even some good places everyone walks by?  Not everyone needs a
traditional booth, right?  We'd be happy with a banner, a table top, and a
few chairs and a coffee table for people to relax at in a prominent hallway
perhaps.  (fire code permitting.)  Yes a booth would be preferred.  But not
participating at all is worse!

 

 

I am open to any ideas - and I think something might be workable of we all
try.  I think that because we all share a common goal of growing the green
building community.  I like to see everyone at the table!

 

 

 

 

-Allison Friedman

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