Numbers are funny things. At the show, organizers were claiming 750 attendees (the vendors agreed that this figure probably included all of the hotel workers who were on staff that day). We counted 300. Their website claims 1250. Whatever the figure, turnout was dismal (although that may have to do with the location....the Marriott Marquis in Times Square has never been known as a local haunt and address is everything in New York.)

We were hoping that we'd see evidence of a new form of micro-trade show, designed to replace the mega-shows of the pre-911 world in which people traveled all of the time. Instead, we found a bewildered crowd of locals.

The mix of exhibitors was different, and it was hard to tell how much of that was caused by "New Yorkness". The ratio of background checkers, assessment companies and other "screeners" to job boards was nearly the opposite of last year. Security related concerns rang throughout the displays. 

There were a couple of Bright spots. Both PureCarbon and Recruitmax fielded booths with bright enthusiastic representatives. The CareerBuilder presentation was designed to position the firm as an alternative to HodesIQ and RecruitUSA (which seemed like a push in the wrong direction to us.)

Given the low budget, the show featured a heavier than usual assemblage of vendor pitches masquerading as "case studies". We suppose that that's the way you have to approach trying to make money in the new trade show environment.

As you can see, our experience of the HumanAssets.org show was neither exciting nor depressing. It was interesting to see that mediocrity could be refined so well on such a small operation.

 -John Sumser