The Power of Face to Face: CES 2011

The Consumer Electronics Show wrapped up last weekend in Las Vegas. Over 2,700 technology companies both domestic and foreign were represented at the trade show! However, the technology may not be the real story.

Famed communication theorist Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase, “The medium is the message”. The phrase means that content can take a backseat to the way it is presented. How does this apply to CES 2011? Over 140,000 people from across the globe flocked to Las Vegas last weekend solely to attend the event.

Still not convinced that trade shows are important? Leaders from non-technology based companies such as Coca-Cola, Audi, Ford, Colgate-Palmolive, E-Trade, Mercedes and Timex were in attendance. The reason? They couldn’t miss out on the opportunity to forge relationships through face to face communication!

Don’t sleep on the power of human interaction. Make it a goal to get to at least 1 industry event in 2011; I promise you’ll be glad you did!