Autodesk at IMTS

[DBayn]

Why does Autodesk not display their products at IMTS in Chicago?
Is mechanical design really that small a percentage of their business?

[Anonymous]

20 years ago when the CAD business was very different, many CAD software
companies spent huge amounts on various trade shows. Of course the market
was different and a CAD system often meant a million dollar investment for
just a few seats.

The International Machine Tool Show used to be an important show however
since CAD software has become virtually a commodity many companies have
concluded that the expense of doing a show targeted at this narrow niche
doesn't make sense.

I don't know the specific reasons why Autodesk selects one industrial show
over another however quite a large percentage of attendees at this show are
often looking for the latest in carbide inserts or water jet CNC and not
specifically for CAD software.

[Anonymous]

While not the size of IMTS, I happened to notice that they will have a booth
at Canadian Manufacturing Week in Toronto.

[Anonymous]

Regional trade shows are often supported by a local reseller with assistance
from Autodesk. The decision to participate is then made by the reseller's
management team. A local reseller will often benefit from a presence at a
regional show of this type - more so than Autodesk would from participation
in a "national" show.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you guys should consider Pack Expo. For the last several years I
attended there was alwas a "Sorta Works" booth there. That place is loaded
with engineeers and designers.

"Gary R Smith (Autodesk)" wrote in message
news:5319997@discussion.autodesk.com...
20 years ago when the CAD business was very different, many CAD software
companies spent huge amounts on various trade shows. Of course the market
was different and a CAD system often meant a million dollar investment for
just a few seats.

The International Machine Tool Show used to be an important show however
since CAD software has become virtually a commodity many companies have
concluded that the expense of doing a show targeted at this narrow niche
doesn't make sense.

I don't know the specific reasons why Autodesk selects one industrial show
over another however quite a large percentage of attendees at this show are
often looking for the latest in carbide inserts or water jet CNC and not
specifically for CAD software.

[Anonymous]

Jimmy wrote: "...That place is loaded with engineeers and designers."

It isn't a question of who is attending, it is a question of why they are
attending.

Once upon a time it was critical to simply get exposure with the engineering
crowd - that is no longer the issue.

20 years ago there were engineers/designers attending these sorts of shows
who had never seen/touched a CAD system. That is rarely the case these days.