Top 10 Gripes About This Year’s ASIS Show
SSI Editor-in-Chief Scott Goldfine offers his tongue-in-cheek critiques of the event.
Students got in on the action at last year's ASIS.
5. Empty Expo Calories – An element of this show that can either further complicate or ease the booth barrage referenced above is that at least half the exhibitors are of little to no value for installing and monitoring security dealers and integrators. Why? Because their target is the commercial/industrial end user, the majority of ASIS membership. So be prepared to weed through the guard companies, weapons vendors, fence manufacturers and much more. Mace spray, ooh, exciting.
6. Crash Courses ― As much as there are many booths barely worth a dealer’s or integrator’s glance, there are much fewer educational sessions with actual takeaway, let alone mild curiosity, value. Again, it is because of ASIS’ main focus being corporate end users. That said, there are a few potentially worthwhile courses of note.
7. Cue the Tumbleweeds – Enjoy “The Walking Dead”? Then the final day of the expo, Day 3, may be for you. Show traffic falls off a cliff on the last day, which could be a perk for those tired of elbow-to-elbow jockeying. The caveat is that, like prospectors when the Gold Rush dried up, most vendors’ executives and key personnel are already long gone with their attentions turned elsewhere.
8. Please Love My Widget ― True innovation and disruptive product or technology introductions have fallen off from prerecession years. There is a mind-numbing sameness pervading much of the exhibits, especially cameras and recorders. To make matters worse, most manufacturers primarily target ISC West for new launches.
9. A Lot to Digest ― In most cases, tradeshow food is the worst and I am sure ASIS Anaheim will be no exception. Also, at peak times it’s often challenging to find proper seating. And if you hit a nearby alternative, you’re likely to encounter a line rivaling that of Disneyland’s Space Mountain, losing precious show time. Nothing like standing near an aisle while shoving a rancid hot dog down your gullet and chasing it with a poorly mixed fountain drink. All for the bargain price of $20. I always pack protein bars.
10. Gawkers & Lookie-Loos ― If you see me at an event like ASIS it is most likely either meeting with someone at a booth or racing to one of those appointments. If I pass you by or cut you short I don’t mean to be rude but I literally have zero downtime. What drives me crazy is all the leisurely strollers clogging up the aisles when I need to transverse the floor in 5 minutes. It’s like dealing with the surrounding Southern California gridlock traffic jams. Hmm, maybe this year I will suit up in shoulder pads!
So, what are your ASIS show complaints, annoyances, pet peeves or other observations and opinions? Speak out!
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About the Author
Scott Goldfine
Scott Goldfine is the marketing director for Elite Interactive Solutions. He is the former editor-in-chief and associate publisher of Security Sales & Integration. He can be reached at [email protected].
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