The last day dilemma

David Shaw in his "B or not 2B" business media blog raises an issue which continues to plague trade shows in Asia: the last day clear out. Even as events have gradually decreased in length from 7 to 5 to 4 to 3 days, exhibitors still start to dismantle their stands half way through the last day.

Trade Shows and the Last Day Problem: "

Spent the last few weeks at a couple of trade shows, researching markets, launching a magazine and a show daily, and generally keeping busy.

Many trade shows have to deal with the problem of the 'last day.' The problem: how do you keep the exhibit floor from becoming a ghost town in the final hours as people hit the airport to get home?

Has anyone had success with putting the key conference programming last? My thought: Two days of exhibit floor, with a keynote address and some limited, though important conference content on the first and second days (as well as a major networking party after the second trade show floor day), but with the core conference programming and a stellar closing address for half of a third day.

Your thoughts?

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(Via B or not 2B--A Business Media Blog.)

Conferences at what are really stand-alone exhibitions in Asia have often been a bit of a flop so this may not be the real answer. But, he surely raises a good point.