I disagree with your thinking on how to market a product/sercvice and your thought on trade shows.

To set the record straight, our company participated in one of the largest trade shows which included thousands of companies exibiting there new products/services as well as new technology papers. Just to let you know, standing in a booth and explaining your technology was an important part on the 4 day exhibit, and many revenue transactions were accomplished, including new customers. I was not only involved in this for years, I had total responsibility one year over the entire exhibit.

This trade show involved all of the largest Oil Industry Corporations in the world, including the Oil Companies and the Service Industry (from Shell and Exxon to Schlumberger, Halliburton, and Baker Hughes

The following is an overview of the trade show I'm talking about.

As the offshore industry continued to grow, so too did the stature and size of OTC, reaching peak attendance in 1982 of 108,000 and an exhibition of more than 2,500 companies.

Since the early 1980's, shifting business, political, and economic paradigms have altered the complexion of OTC, but not its status as the one "must-attend" technical conference for engineers and scientists working in the offshore industry. In 2003, OTC moved into the Reliant Center in Houston, and today occupies the Center, Reliant Stadium, a Pavilion built on-site, and an outdoor exhibits area, totaling an area equivalent to 10 football fields.

Throughout its 40-year history, OTC has maintained its relevance to the offshore industry, and has initiated several programs to expand the scope and prestige of its coverage.

• In 2004, OTC launched the Spotlight on New Technology program to recognize truly innovative advancements in ocean resources development.
• The need to transfer knowledge to the next generation brought about the Next Wave program in 2006 for young professionals under age 35.
• A tradition at OTC is education day on Thursday each year, when OTC invites about 250 high school students to tour the exhibition to learn about technology and career opportunities in the industry.
• In 2007, the Energy Education Institute began offering a full-day workshop for Houston area science teachers to help them bring energy topics into their classroom.

OTC is also significant for Houston. Since 1969, OTC has generated nearly $1.8 billion in income for Houston, and is the city’s largest convention.

OTC ranks among the largest 200 trade shows held annually in the United States and is among the 10 largest meetings in terms of attendance.