Is it coincidence that Alex gardiners new range of poles have been put out there on their website on the same day as the Cleaning Show begins?
Competitors of gardiner will be PAYING to showcase their new wares over the next few days. Is it coincidence that WITHOUT paying or by even being there, (I assume he wasn't there!) Alex has trumped all of his competitors and likely had more hits to his website and started the buzz about his new range of poles?! His competitors will be spitting their beer out tonight!!!
Is it coincidence or is it very clever?
I know where I stand, it's very, very clever and I like it, A LOT! Fair play to you Alex, you've gone and done it again!!!

Clever??? Hardly.. 95% of the reason for trade shows is networking!!!
Suppliers being absent from trade shows might be cheap but they are the one's missing out on swapping business cards with a whole range of new contacts... Window cleaners, potential distributors, purchasers for national companies... Huge amounts of potential customers.
As small as the show was I went every day and I'm glad I did, networking is the key to building relationships... Even with the competition.
..... And I met Turbo Terry again.... Legend!
Swapping business cards? Maybe you have a point. But swapping cards does not result in sales. I know from my own experience. How many folks who's business card you received will you actually do business with?
Here, on this forum you are not guessing your market. Hey are in the palm of your hand. They are not potential, they are your market. Networking is he key, but only with the right people, buyers. I very much hope you got what any business needs, buyers.