LETTER FROM EDITOR

May was a busy month with both LegalTech Los Angeles and the ALA Expo on the schedule!  Now that there is a little time to breathe in the summer months, read the article below to find out how to take advantage of this slow period and be ahead of the game when the busy show season comes around again!

As always, your input is important to us, so please let me know what you want to know!  Please send any comments, suggestions or requests for articles to me at jf@envisionevents.com.

Thanks!
JoAnna Forshee
Envision Events

Editor, Legal Marketing News

EVENT MARKETING

Don't Waste Those Slow Summer Months!

By JoAnna Forshee

The legal industry trade show circuit always slows down in the summer months, but there are things you can do to get a head-start on the fall rush of shows.  

Exhibit Audit - This is the time to evaluate your current booth setup and determine how it is working for your company.  Do you need additional counters?  Are your graphics worn and need a facelift?  This is the time to take care of anything to do with your booth.  Exhibit houses are also slow in the summer months and you can use that in your negotiation process.

Exhibit Calendar - Now is also a good time to evaluate what shows you are going to participate in for the next year.  Once you have figured out your schedule, contact your show representatives to sign up for booth space.  This will eliminate signing up for a show at the last minute and will usually mean getting better booth placement!  This also makes it easier for you to implement a pre-show marketing strategy.

Lead Collection - Are you getting the most from your current lead management program?  Do you fight over business cards or do you use the show badge scanners?  Are you getting the correct information that is needed to follow-up on a lead once you get back to the office?  This is the time to evaluate your current system for collecting leads and make any changes that will make your follow-up program run smoother.

Lead Tracking - Can you tell me how many sales you've closed from a specific show last year?  If the answer is no, you may need to look at implementing a lead tracking system.  You should be able to track a sale back to your first introduction.

Inventory - Are you low on booth giveaways?  Are your company shirts looking old?  Is it time for another printing of your brochures?  Taking care of this when you have plenty of time can help save marketing dollars by allowing time for comparison pricing and avoiding rush charges and additional shipping costs.

The summer months provide a nice break in the annual trade show calendar, but use this time to get a head-start for the second half of the year.

JoAnna Forshee is President of Envision Events (www.envisionevents.com), a marketing firm specializing in the legal industry. She can be reached at 850-671-4798 or jf@envisionevents.com.

For a list of all the major legal shows, visit www.envisionevents.com/links_legal.htm.  For a complete listing of legal shows including regional shows, visit www.nathanslegalmarkets.com.  While you're there, sign up for Nathan's Legal Report.

PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW 

Name: Monica Bay

Title:  Editor in Chief, Law Technology News, American Lawyer Media Inc.

Contact:  800-537-2128 x9082 / lawtech@amlaw.com

Background:  Member of the California Bar; have worked at AmLaw for 17 years

Hobbies:  Chorister with the Grace Church Choral Society, Berkshire Choral Festival, and World Festival Chorus (we sang with Luciano Pavarotti)

Pet Peeve:  The word "solution" which has become utterly meaningless.

Busiest Time: Third week of the month. (We usually go to press around the 20th)

Link to editorial guidelines - Law Technology News

UPCOMING SHOW SPOTLIGHT

LawNet 2002...The booths are gone, but you can still participate!

By Peggy Wechsler

We are happy to announce the 25th Annual Educational Conference - LawNet 2002:  Reflection & Vision being held August 19 - 22 at the beautiful Boca Raton Resort and Beach Club in Boca Raton, Florida. 

The LawNet organization has over two decades of experience in providing networking opportunities that get our members connected to experts, colleagues and associates that help them face their daily challenges.  The goal of the organization is to “make technology work” for the legal profession, and you’ll find that our members attend our conference because it provides the people, the products, the information and the atmosphere conducive to an exceptional educational experience.

Once again, due to the popularity of the annual LawNet Vendor Sponsorship Program that gives our Gold and Silver Sponsors the opportunity to pre-register for booth space at conference, we were in a sold out position when we opened for General Registration on May 3rd. 

So, how can you participate?

Become a conference event sponsor - We have held out a handful of booths for our conference sponsors, but the sponsorship opportunities are going fast!  Contact me if you are interested in hearing more about becoming a conference sponsor.  Conference sponsorships are a great way to provide your organization with exposure and recognition among the technology decision-makers at our member law firms and legal departments.

Consultant Pass - Consultant passes sell for $1,000 and will be available for purchase until July 31^st.  A consultant pass gives you the same benefits as our exhibitors, except no booth.  Our conference is truly a networking experience and the consultant pass gives you the opportunity to attend sessions with the attendees; learn from the sessions given by our members, vendors and consultants; and hear what questions are being asked by our members regarding current issues.  One day consultants' passes are also available for $500.

Demo Rooms - Demo rooms are available to exhibitors/ consultants to conduct product demonstrations and private meetings during the conference. 

If you are planning to attend, please be aware that exhibitor and consultant passes include an invitation to the Opening Reception on August 18^th, and the Exhibit Hall Reception on August 19^th.  Tickets for our 25^th Silver Anniversary Party and the Final Feud (Regional Competition) Dinner and Dance may be purchased before or during the conference.  These are more great opportunities to network with the attendees.

For more information regarding conference activities and our annual vendor sponsorship program, go to our website at www.peertopeer.org.  For any questions, contact Peggy Wechsler at 714.969.9211 or peggy@peertopeer.org.