Are Trade Shows a Waste of Time?

I'm a big fan of trade shows, but attendance is declining as more and more people decide that it isn't worth the time and expense. Jim Goltz, writing in the NY Times, decides it is:

Trade shows are an opportunity to take some classes, find new vendors, have face time with existing vendors, see new products, and talk to people who do what you do but don’t compete with you. I can’t tell you how many insights I have gotten from casual conversations over the years with people who are standing in the food line, on the trade-show floor or in the restaurant after the show. I have made friends with a couple of people I meet every year and with whom I compare notes, share ideas and brainstorm.

IDEAlliance and IPA Plan Merger

Too early to read the tea leaves... let's hope that this works out for the best:

FEBRUARY 15, 2010 – The Boards of Directors of IPA and IDEAlliance have announced intent for IPA to merge with IDEAlliance, combining their memberships and resources into one robust organization serving the needs of the advertising, media, print, and publishing industries. The synergies and strengths of the combined organization will support member innovation and their effective adoption of cross-media workflows, emerging technologies and best business practices.
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> Following final approval from a majority of the IPA membership in early March 2010, the new organization will provide for the coordinated development of standardized technical and business specifications and guidelines, new certification programs, broad new educational offerings, and enhanced online peer support networks. The combined organization will serve professionals from every facet of the media supply chain, including brand owners, agencies, publishers, printers, materials suppliers, technology suppliers and premedia service providers.
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> Guy Gleysteen, Senior Vice President of Production of Time Inc. and IDEAlliance Chairman, said, “The graphic communication industry is looking to its industry associations to partner and create synergies based upon their distinctive competencies and shared objectives. By integrating IPA and IDEAlliance, we achieve a big win for the industry and will be able to provide a significant increase in our program offerings to our combined membership.”
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> Chip Harding, President/COO of Harper House and IPA Chairman, said, “Current trends of change are ever accelerating. With like missions and unique competencies, this union will help lead our industry into the future. Harper House has been an active member of IPA for decades and the leadership philosophy of IPA offers us priceless insight into our ever-changing industry. Gaining the benefits of IDEAlliance will strengthen the knowledge base accessible to Harper House and all IPA members, helping us stay ahead of the curve.”
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> Steve Bonoff, IPA President added, “IPA has a strong history of working closely with IDEAlliance. In 2004 the organizations formed an alliance and launched the joint industry venture, PrintTools.org, a web portal of tools and publications for the prepress and print community. In 2008, IPA and IDEAlliance announced the coordination of their digital press programs. And in 2009, IDEAlliance co-located its G7 Summit with the IPA Technical Conference. Industry applause of these joint efforts led the two organizations to examine coming together for the benefit the industry.”
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> If approved by the full IPA membership, IDEAlliance and IPA programs, events and services will be evaluated, reorganized and staffed to provide the most value to the combined memberships. New program offerings will also be launched based on expertise now applied from across the two organizations’ knowledgeable staffs and memberships.
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RIT developing an audit and certification program for printers in North America

OMG...when I scan Google for "Color Standards" I usually don't expect earth-shaking news. But maybe I just did:

To ensure North American printers achieve a color reproduction workflow that meets international printing standards, Rochester Institute of Technology will develop and offer process audits and certification services to North American printers.

Hmm...is this more of ISO vs G7? FOGRA vs IDEAlliance? Graybalance vs TVI? Are we headed for a nirvana of standards compliance or something a little more commercial"?

This subject will without doubt be getting more coverage, so do stay tuned.