First, a correction from yesterday’s notes:
Noticed a few more states today that I missed yesterday. I will talk about that and some perhaps important thoughts for my fellow ED Pros in KY.
Approximately 15 states have booths at this trade show (neither Kentucky nor Northwest Kentucky do, I have appointments and I am working the floor).
In general, it is a different group of states than I normally see. Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin all have very large “island” booths. I can’t say that I ever remember seeing those first three at a trade show before.
The South is represented by only two states (that I saw)-North Carolina and West Virginia. No one that I saw from the Rockies and only a joint partnership from Washington and Oregon.
You may wonder why Northwest Kentucky would be interested in a trade show devoted to wind power. Good question. While our region is not conducive to power generation via wind, we are very well suited to producing all the parts needed to produce that wind—blades, turbines, towers, etc.
A skilled workforce focused on metal-working, a great logistics network, and an attractive business climate all combine to make Northwest Kentucky an ideal location for the manufacture of these products.
First, let me just preface the following comments with the fact that I generally find trade shows to have little business recruitment value. I only go to 1 or 2 a year because for business attraction you just aren’t finding the right people—decision makers.
Thus far, the Wind Power Trade Show is Chicago this week is no different. Very informative, but none of my 3 appointments this afternoon were with decision-makers.
However, I do have one appointment tonight and 6 more appointments tomorrow so hopefully things will turn up.