Last weekend I had the opprotunity to rub shoulders with the industry leading general contractors at Blue Mountain. As the director of client services for the Construction News and Report Group I was in the ultimate networking venue for leads on news stories, new products and great projects to feature.

Most of the event was spent in the bubble (a cool dome, sorry no retractable roof) with over 600 people from the construction industry. Each day I made it my goal to meet someone new and never sit at the same table with the same people. I was impressed with the quality of the speakers for the learning sessions, the work of the OGCS staff to run the event and hands on approach by the OGCA President Clive Thurston. 2007 saw over almost 500 people, 2008 600 and change, does 2009 hold 80o?

Over the next few months I will be working with a group of the contacts I made on some great features ranging from unions, special construction machinary and a few interesting infrastructure projects. It was amazing to see how much work I got done in 2 and a half days while there but the follow up afterwards did not get done until last night.

Well as I put away the business cards tomorrow and return a few phone calls I will be packing up for another Trade Show for IAPA- The Health and Safety Trade Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre Monday April 21st and Tuesday April 22nd. If you are in the GTA stop by our booth #1432.

If you are a fellow Trade Show/conference Groupie like myself let me know where you will be and your thoughts on the value of attending them.

By the way the sexy guy in the photo is me, lol.