# Trade Shows on The No Agenda Show

Trade Shows comes up in 7 chapters across 7 episodes of The No Agenda Show, from August 2008 to August 2025.

- **Chapters:** 7
- **Episodes:** 7
- **Discussed:** August 2008 – August 2025
- **Related topics:** [Pens](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/pens.md), [Adam Curry](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/adam-curry.md), [Ascap](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/ascap.md), [Bmi](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/bmi.md), [Booth Babes](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/booth-babes.md), [Ces](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/ces.md), [Dallas](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/dallas.md), [Data Privacy](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/data-privacy.md), [Handwriting](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/handwriting.md), [John C. Dvorak](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/john-c-dvorak.md)

## Chapters 1–7 of 7

### Silent Disco Conferences, Wireless Headphones, Ear Mold

- **Episode:** [1792: Meloni in the Middle](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1792-meloni-in-the-middle.md)
- **Published:** 2025-08-21
- **Time:** 1:47:25–1:53:18
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1792-meloni-in-the-middle/chapter/silent-disco-conferences-wireless-headphones-ear-mold.md

The Podcast Movement conference in Dallas utilized a "silent disco" format for its expo hall stages, where attendees used wireless headphones to listen to speakers. This technology allowed multiple presentations to occur simultaneously in an open space without audio interference. While effective for audience engagement, the shared use of headphones raised concerns about hygiene and "ear mold."

Keywords: [podcast movement](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/podcast-movement.md), soundstack, wireless headphones, [trade shows](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/trade-shows.md), [dallas](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/dallas.md)

### Smart Scooters, Chinese English Manuals

- **Episode:** [764: Can You See That Juice?](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/764-can-you-see-that-juice.md)
- **Published:** 2015-10-11
- **Time:** 1:22:55–1:26:12
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/764-can-you-see-that-juice/chapter/smart-scooters-chinese-english-manuals.md

At the Houston trade show, Adam Curry purchased an unbranded "smart scooter" (hoverboard) from a Chinese vendor. He reads humorous excerpts from the "Changlish" instruction manual, which includes warnings about "bruising hair" and driving in a "non-conscious situation." The hosts discuss the utility and learning curve of these Segway-like devices.

Keywords: smart scooter, [segway](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/segway.md), changlish, trade show, safety equipment

### Trade Show Marketing, Booth Babes, Badge Scanning Privacy

- **Episode:** [713: New Mediocre](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/713-new-mediocre.md)
- **Published:** 2015-04-16
- **Time:** 15:37–17:51
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/713-new-mediocre/chapter/trade-show-marketing-booth-babes-badge-scanning-privacy.md

Adam Curry expresses his discomfort with the aggressive badge-scanning practices employed by "booth babes" at the NAB convention. He describes the use of handheld scanners to collect attendee data via QR codes without explicit verbal consent. The hosts discuss strategies for avoiding unwanted data collection, such as turning badges over or physically blocking the scanner.

Keywords: [trade shows](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/trade-shows.md), [booth babes](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/booth-babes.md), [qr codes](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/qr-codes.md), [data privacy](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/data-privacy.md), badge scanning, [marketing](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/marketing.md)

### John C. Dvorak, Adam Curry, Trade Show Pen Graveyard

- **Episode:** [564: Summer of Snowden](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/564-summer-of-snowden.md)
- **Published:** 2013-11-10
- **Time:** 3:11
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/564-summer-of-snowden/chapter/john-c-dvorak-adam-curry-trade-show-pen-graveyard.md

John C. Dvorak and Adam Curry open episode 564 from the Travis Heights Hideout in FEMA Region 6. Dvorak laments his inability to find a working pen among his collection of 40 trade show souvenirs, including a vintage pen from the Grand Hyatt Singapore and a non-functional Apple-branded pen. The hosts eventually find a working pen from DPA Microphones to use for endorsing donation checks.

Keywords: [john c. dvorak](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/john-c-dvorak.md), [adam curry](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/adam-curry.md), [trade shows](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/trade-shows.md), grand hyatt singapore, dpa microphones, apple pen, [pens](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/pens.md)

### Trade Show Pens and the Decline of Handwriting

- **Episode:** [449: Deficit Pending](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/449-deficit-pending.md)
- **Published:** 2012-10-04
- **Time:** 2:45–4:32
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/449-deficit-pending/chapter/trade-show-pens-and-the-decline-of-handwriting.md

John C. Dvorak complains about the poor quality of promotional pens collected from trade shows, noting that most fail to write shortly after acquisition. Adam Curry admits he rarely uses writing utensils anymore, relying instead on digital outliners and memory. The discussion highlights a generational shift away from doodling and manual note-taking, with handwriting now largely reserved for household grocery lists.

Keywords: [trade shows](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/trade-shows.md), [pens](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/pens.md), [handwriting](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/handwriting.md), grocery lists, doodling, outliner software

### Trade Show Business Models, ASCAP Music Licensing Fees

- **Episode:** [65: The Dead Bee Conspiracy](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/65-the-dead-bee-conspiracy.md)
- **Published:** 2009-01-10
- **Time:** 2:19–7:47
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/65-the-dead-bee-conspiracy/chapter/trade-show-business-models-ascap-music-licensing-fees.md

Trade shows serve as primary hubs for wholesale buyers and sellers, though consumer interest in these events has grown significantly. Performance rights organizations like ASCAP and BMI frequently monitor these venues to collect licensing fees from booth operators playing music, a practice that extends to small businesses such as hair salons and workshops.

Keywords: [trade shows](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/trade-shows.md), [ascap](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/ascap.md), [bmi](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/bmi.md), [music licensing](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/music-licensing.md), [retail](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/retail.md), wholesale

### Trade Show Speaking Fees, CES, New Media Expo

- **Episode:** [44: Probably a Super Delegate](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/44-probably-a-super-delegate.md)
- **Published:** 2008-08-23
- **Time:** 44:32–48:20
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/44-probably-a-super-delegate/chapter/trade-show-speaking-fees-ces-new-media-expo.md

The economics of speaking at major trade shows like CES and the New Media Expo are criticized for being "pay-to-play" systems. Organizers often expect speakers to participate for free or even pay for the slot, while the conferences generate millions in profit. This model is seen as detrimental to independent writers and solo speakers who have no corporate backing to fund their appearances.

Keywords: [ces](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/ces.md), [new media expo](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/new-media-expo.md), tim bourquin, [speaking fees](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/speaking-fees.md), [pay-to-play](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/pay-to-play.md), [trade shows](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/trade-shows.md)

---

This is the markdown version of a page on The No Agenda Show for AI agents. Every public page on this site has one: add `.md` to its URL, or request it with `Accept: text/markdown`.

- [Site index for agents (llms.txt)](https://search.noagendashow.net/llms.txt)
- [Home](https://search.noagendashow.net/index.md)
- [Search transcripts](https://search.noagendashow.net/search.md)
- [All episodes](https://search.noagendashow.net/episodes.md)
- [Topics](https://search.noagendashow.net/topics.md)
- [People](https://search.noagendashow.net/people.md)