Out with the Old, in with the... Increased Trade Show Attendance?
The year 2009 definitely had its share of ups and downs. Experts are reporting the worst could be behind us with company representatives beginning to travel and attend trade shows again. Industry analysts are estimating an increase in trade show attendance as companies rebound in the New Year.
As you set your travel schedule for 2010, consider INPEX® as a must-attend for the latest inventions and new products on display. While 2009 wasn't the best of years, we found a few reasons to celebrate. Here's a look back:
Innovation for everyone. The recession and aggressive competition globally are driving down prices on consumer electronics, making new technology affordable to more people. The prices for new phones, lightweight computer laptops, netbooks, video games, Blu-ray players, and digital book readers are all falling fast.
Lower lodging prices. Overbuilding and the recession have hit the lodging industry hard. Room rates fell 9% in 2009, on average, and that trend is expected to continue in 2010.
Heating bills will be lower this winter. The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts that the average U.S. energy bill will fall by 8% compared with last winter, to $960, a decrease of $84.
The best time in decades to buy a home. Congress extended the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers who sign a purchase contract by April 30, 2010 and close by June 30, 2010.
Credit card debt is slowly declining. September's Federal Reserve Board survey showed credit card debt dropping by $10 billion, an annualized decrease of 13.3%.
Roth IRAs are more available. Although income-eligibility restrictions will remain for ongoing Roth IRA contributions, anyone – regardless of income – can convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA as of January 1st. A Roth IRA has no mandatory-distribution requirements, and you can leave a Roth to your heirs tax-free.
Personal savings rate is up. When U.S. taxpayers started receiving stimulus checks in May of 2008, they tucked away that money rather than spending it, as signs of the recession first started to appear. Result: The savings rate skyrocketed to 5.8%.
More healthful and safer food. Scientists are unlocking genome secrets that are allowing farmers to grow soybeans and sunflowers whose oils produce no trans fats. Research on the rice genome has produced one strain flush with Vitamin A and another with six times the iron content typically found in conventional rice.
We are optimistic that these positive signs will translate into a boom in trade show attendance for 2010, and we hope that you place INPEX on your "must attend" list for the coming year. For more information about attending INPEX 2010 as a business representative, please call 888-54-INPEX or complete our attendee registration form.
