TSEA SEEKS TO DEFINE FAIR CONVENTION HOUSING PRACTICES FOR EXHIBITORS The Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA) Advocacy Committee is seeking exhibitors to help define what constitutes fair convention housing practices by answering a short survey.  This is a follow-up to a previous survey which identified that exhibitors are unsatisfied with current convention housing practices, i.e., deposit policies, cancellation policies, deadlines to submit names, etc. A participant in the survey commented: “In these times when every penny is scrutinized [exhibitors] should be able to get really good rates by booking rooms through the show organizer instead of being treated like the cash cow.” The survey was anonymous and confidential.  The following are the key findings from the survey: 97% do not believe they receive the best rate possible when booking rooms for a convention in the housing block. 89% do not think the amount they are charged for deposits are reasonable in all the shows at which they currently exhibit. 83% do not feel they have sufficient time to submit names of their company’s attendees for convention housing blocks. Begin Survey View Previous Survey Results    TSEA's Inaugural Face-to-Face Connections a Success Strategic Sourcing Event for Exhibition and Events Industry hailed as “innovative,” “successful” and “fun.”   The Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA)’s inaugural Face-to-Face Connections™, the first strategic sourcing event for the exhibit and event industry, was proclaimed a success by all participants. The event was held January 6-8, 2010 in Dallas, TX and was specifically designed to bring buyers and sellers together to determine potential for a business match.   All participants benefited from valuable networking time with only two days out of the office by utilizing an efficient and cost-effective approach to a sales meeting.  Participants met in pre-planned, 30-minute sessions that were private, focused and results-oriented.  As one guest praised, “Incredible event!  This is what we have needed forever!  How could you ever qualify so many potential vendors in a day?”  Other guests concurred.   Sourcing events such as Face-to-Face Connections™ are becoming more common but this is the first time for companies that use face-to-face marketing to promote their products and services.  All guests attended 10–14 meetings with sellers that truly matched up with their current needs.       Vendors were equally complimentary about the event. Each seller scheduled 10–15 meetings with buyers who were prescreened, qualified, decision makers and had specific needs for their products and services. They were provided a private space with no distractions for their discussions.  One seller gushed, “Great environment to generate new business. (We) could never get this kind of one-on-one attention with prospects anywhere else.”  All agreed they would generate, at minimum, several new customers as a result of the event.   For more information about becoming a vendor or attendee at the next Face-to-Face Connections,™  please contact the Trade Show Exhibitors Association via email at face2face@tsea.org or call +1 312 842-TSEA (8732).