The Parking Industry has certainly many challenges to solve, but we should realize the privilege we have to be part of people’s lives, sometimes on the most important days of their lives! This is the reason why parking trade shows around the world are full of very interesting people. Sure, we solve parking problems, but we also listen to each other and share the stories. Everyone has stories to tell and not just one, or two…
Working for Survision for almost 10 years, I’ve learned one thing for sure: No matter how you’ve got to the Parking Industry, you will never leave it! After a busy 5 years in Paris, I moved to Boston for the company and from there traveled across North America for three years meeting parking people from every corner of the continent, and guess where? At the Trade Shows! The best place for gathering industry leaders, technologies, competitors, projects, and users.
Even though ALL parking trade shows gather nice, humble people, there are some cultural differences between the Parking trade shows on both continents.
For instance, the USA Parking trade shows are more network oriented. The events are built as a platform to spend a good time with your current and potential suppliers and customers. European parking trade shows have more “business meetings” set-up. It’s harder to break the ice in Europe when you meet a person for the first time. Speed business meetings would be unimaginable in Europe, while it’s a common activity to meet potential leads at any North American trade show.
In North America, many trade shows, especially the local ones, are there for building a relationship with your future suppliers or customers. In Europe, the trade shows have a more formal format meant to engage a purely business discussion and see the latest technology progress in the industry. Both work great!
These are minor differences when we all have much more in common. We all want to bring the best experience to the parking journey! It’s such big responsibility with a powerful impact on people’s day to day life. Even a small thing can make a huge difference on someone’s day today.
Alexandra Maillot is Head of Business Development, Survision. She can be reached at alexandra.maillot@survisiongroup.com