I’ve been attending since around 2013 (even made it to the Chengdu editions),in different capacities — only missing the COVID years. Over time, you start to see the shifts. It’s still great to catch up with the industry —reconnecting with familiar faces, meeting new ones,talking about tech, the market,or even the occasional retirement 😄 That part hasn’t changed. It still matters. On one hand, it’s encouraging —local brands that once had small booths at the backare now taking prime space alongside major international players. A clear sign of how the industry in Asia has evolved. At the same time, you notice something else. Some of the major, familiar brands are missing.Or scaling back — letting distributors take the main boothwhile maintaining a smaller presence,or shifting to fringe events outside the venue at a fraction of the cost. Having conversations with business owners and brand leaders,the reasons are clear — rising costs, booth builds, logistics, ROI pressures. But so is the reality:what hasn’t increased in cost over the last decade? And in many regions, not everyone has the option to fly to ISE or InfoComm US.For many, Beijing, Mumbai, Bangkok… these are the industry touchpoints —which makes getting them right even more important. Exhibiting shouldn’t just be about having a booth and showing products. These platforms were never just about sales —they’re about learning, networking, and industry alignment. And this is where the gap starts to show. Trainings and certification pathways are getting harder to sustain —with rising costs and reduced sponsorship. Panels and roundtables —need to be more meaningful, not just more frequent. Not another sales pitch,or a repeat of what we already know —but real conversations that challenge and move the needle. Because real value doesn’t come from the booth alone —it comes from what’s exchanged between people,often driven by industry veterans who continue to give back —leading tours, speaking on panels, and sharing their experience. If it becomes only about products and short-term sales,we’re not growing the industry — we’re slowly hollowing it out. It’s the consultants, integrators, and end userswho need to understand and push these technologies forward. If they don’t have the opportunity to learn,everyone eventually feels it. And if every player optimises individually,we risk weakening the platforms that brought the industry together. So maybe the question isn’t just about ROI for the next show —but the long-term health of the industry. Organisers, brands, associations — it’s time for a more open conversation.Cost is clearly one of the biggest pressures across the board.But the discussion can’t stop there. Not just attracting footfall,but making these platforms meaningful, accessible,and worth showing up for again. Because if we stop investing back —one day, there may not be much left to support. Curious how others are seeing this—are trade shows in your regions evolving, or slowly losing their impact?