Remember when online trade shows were the hot new way to see new products without ever leaving your desk? What fun is that -- and how effective can it be? There is so much value in getting away from the office, hearing the latest from today's thought leaders and talking face-to-face with people about their products and businesses. For many, it's a welcome, business-expensed change of scenery. And if you can't go, now bloggers and trade show marketing teams are happy update you with daily reports and photos. Trade shows and annual conferences are still a big business; technology just makes it better.

Trade shows are on my mind because spring is always crunch time for my PR business. The NeoCon World's Trade Fair is the big office furniture trade show in Chicago, June 11-13, where my clients izzydesign and Studio Z are introducing beautiful products for classrooms, workspace and home office. This year, I slipped in an early trip to Chicago for the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Hotel-Motel Show as well for Mcloone, a Wisconsin-based business that makes very cool metal menu covers, wine lists and VIP event invitations and announcements.

Our goal is to earn the attention of editors and other influencers, who see our products and hopefully note them as trendmakers. CWC helps spread the word through pre-event publicity, press kits, onsite interviews and online pressroom postings. Back to press kit writing. I'll report back soon.