Exhibitors and attendees both noticed that CES had a much smaller and more relaxed feeling this year compared to 2008, but many show-stopping products were unveiled this year. According to Engadget’s CES Article, Palm stole the show, but HDTV-related gadgets were also a big draw at CES 2009.

One of the most interesting products I saw was the 50-inch multitouch TV from Samsung. Although I couldn’t think of any practical uses for this device, it was definitely a lot of fun watching people play with images and use the built in chalkboard. Like almost every product at the Consumer Electronics Show, the TV was outlandish and impractical, but isn’t that what defines CES after all?

Although CES was smaller than usual this year, it wasn’t near as small or under-attended as many experts predicted. The trade show industry still appears to be going strong despite the downturn in the American economy. With the prospect of Apple exhibiting at CES in 2010, the biggest of all trade shows should get even bigger next year.

The largest consumer technology trade show in the world kicks off tomorrow in Las Vegas. The Consumer Electronics Association is a massive organization that spends nearly all of its energy planning and preparing for the Consumer Electronics Show, which is widely recognized as the most prominent trade show in the world. With big name exhibitors like Sony, Samsung, Motorola, and many more, CES has drawn massive crowds to Las Vegas year after year for almost four decades.

Each year, many new products and technological innovations are unveiled at CES. With over 2,700 exhibitors planning to show their stuff this year alone, it could take you weeks just to visit every trade show booth spanning across three of Las Vegas’ largest convention centers (including the monstrous Las Vegas Convention Center). There are always a few diamonds in the rough each year (startup companies with brilliant products or technological innovations), and there will be a massive media presence in attendance hoping to be first to spot the next great opportunity.

If you exhibit regularly, you’ve probably experienced at least a few poorly planned trade shows. Given the amount of money typically spent to exhibit at a trade show, feeling trapped at a poorly planned event can be a frustrating and embittering experience. In order to avoid this event marketing nightmare, you need to know what to look for. Here are some common problems with events and conferences:

• Attendance is too low. This is usually caused by an underfunded or ill advised marketing campaign on the part of the show coordinator. For a trade show to be worthwhile for your business, it needs to draw a large portion of your target market.
• Attendance is as expected, but the demographics are not as advertised. This can also be the result of a poorly designed marketing campaign, but more often than not it is caused by outright deception on the part of show coordinators to attract more exhibitors to the event.
• The show floor is overcrowded with disinterested attendees. When event planners and coordinators promise freebies and door prizes, of course attendance will increase, but it may not be the type of attendee you’re interested in. In order for the show to be successful, it needs to attract attendees that are legitimately interested in what the exhibitors have to offer.
• Poor scheduling results in a well-attended conference but a poorly attended trade show. This is the most common problem with modern trade shows, and thankfully it’s the most avoidable. If the conference is focused largely on a few speeches, event planners may schedule the trade show floor to be open at the same time lunch is being served in another area of the convention hall. Before deciding to exhibit at a conference, check the show schedule for obvious conflicts that will draw attendees away from the show floor during prime exhibiting times.

Over 90% of trade shows are both profitable and enjoyable for exhibitors and attendees. Avoiding the “duds” can save you a lot of time and energy, which in turn will save your company a lot of money.