Exhibiting or attending a trade show in France is a wholly different experience compared to most other shows in our industry. For a start, all exhibitors have spaces that are half under canvas, half outside. So if the weather is unfriendly, you get wet – for 3 days. If it’s sunny, you can do business and get a tan without guilt.
Being outside however can present a challenge as to how to present products on the stand. Two years ago the only products to be selling were wellington boots, since the ground was so wet and muddy, that even with straw bales liberally sprinkled around the wooden walkways, you got covered with mud when walking around the show, so anyone selling wellies was doing brisk business, albeit not necessarily with trade customers.
But aside from exhibiting half in the great outdoors – which actually makes a lot of sense for gardening products, and a world removed from the large gloomy halls of most traditional exhibition venues – what really sets JDC apart is the catering. Yes, you are unequivocally in France, so lunch is very important, so much so that it is provided as part of the deal for visitors and exhibitors alike, and is a delicious 3-course meal – magnifique!
And you are never in doubt as to the closing time at the end of each day; just listen out for the popping of champagne corks.
And on top of all that, it’s a great show for business – what’s not to like.
Roll on Marseille next year…