Kennedy's Blog

One of the most satisfying things about being immersed in the world of publishing is that you are never far away from a good, meaty story.

I have a theory that some of the best stories are told by editors and journalists who spend most of their time writing about machinery. They are so good at telling stories that are not about machines! I was in the enviable situation of being on the receiving end of one of these glorious stories not so long ago. It was at the end of a busy trade. I was sitting on our stand, to tired to get up. The storyteller was English and the story was true. He knew it was funny and was supremely confident in his delivery.

Are there any days of the year left, I wonder, when we are not so busy preparing for something, that we cannot simply enjoy the present? The switchboard is flashing - an important customer wants to talk - but, OH NO, we are far too busy, preparing to puff ourselves up and make our companies appear bigger than they are, for just a few days in an exhibition hall.

We throw cash at these monster shows like bread to the ducks. Is it me, or are shows becoming increasingly quieter, and more expensive? Surely it must be worth it. Just look at the sleep deprivation we endure when our flight is late, or when we are forced to listen to some nutter through the hotel walls with his TV on full volume, just because he has jet lag. The lack of sleep is administered in such brilliantly perfect doses that we are far too tired to tend to our customers after the show, let alone the kids?