[Originally published on May 1, 2002]

One of my all-time favorite movie lines was spoken some years ago by a guy most people seem to either love or hate (nothing personal, of course). That would be Rodney Dangerfield, and the movie was “Back To School.” He was trying to land a date with a teacher who was extremely busy (teaching her class) and not terribly interested. The line was (as a few of you will remember), “Well then, give me a call sometime when you have NO CLASS.”

Continue reading: #6 Have You Been Classified? »

[Originally published on April 18, 2002]

I’ve been wondering a lot lately how it is that suddenly at age 52 (which is still young… isn’t it?), I’m finally doing the things that I fully expected to be doing at age 32. What took so long?

There’s probably a couple of reasons: One, I didn’t listen very well to people wiser than me (and who were 52 then) when I was 32. Two, I routinely threw away the instructions, convinced I could put the thing (whatever it was) together with my eyes closed. Any bells ringing yet?

Continue reading: #5 Who Taught Us This Stuff? »

[Originally published on March 17, 2002]

We’ve recently added a new slogan. You may have seen it. It says, “Be a Part of The Evolution… Be a Part of Tradeshow Blues.” On the surface, of course it’s just another slogan. Fortunately, there’s something underneath.

What I’ve been saying all along is that Tradeshow Blues is about YOU… your experiences and stories, your opinions, your company, your products and services. There’s a lot more, but I want to stay “on message” (and I promise never to say “on message” again).

Continue reading: #3 Be Part of the Evolution »

[Originally published on February 23, 2002]

Many people have asked me in recent days about where we’re going with Tradeshow Blues. My best metaphorical answer so far has been that, “we’re venturing into some new waters on a very different kind of cruise ship.” OK, I admit I was reading Travel & Leisure at the time, but no matter, it speaks the truth.

I have thought for a long time that traditional trade journalism is treated much the way most of us approach work… which is to say, we are way too serious about it. It’s time to lighten up and view things from a slightly skewed perspective.

Continue reading: #2 Where Does This Ship Dock? »

[Originally published on January 25, 2002]

OK, I’m writing as fast as I can. But, c’mon folks, this is heavyweight stuff and as you can see, I don’t have quite as much hair as I used to. Oh, and by the way… I’m OK WITH THAT! It doesn’t matter, I have other hair.

And speaking of hair, I sent a little notice about this site to some people I know hoping to get some early reaction to what we’re doing up here in our top-floor office overlooking the water. One response of particular interest was that already-tired but currently still overused line: “Gee, Jeff… you must have way too much time on your hands.”

Continue reading: #1 Welcome to Tradeshow Blues »