It’s been about a half hour since takeoff. Drinks have been served. The flimsy little fold-down tray can’t accommodate both a plastic glass of chardonnay and a paperback, so she closes the book and puts it on the vacant seat between them. She stares out the window. There’s nothing to see, but she’s not looking, she’s fretting. God, I hope that missing crate turns up. If it’s not one thing it’s another. What’s the point of sending two people ahead if they can’t set up? Last year it was—
“LA home for you?”
She turns to look at him. She’s not surprised at the overture. He’s been looking like he wanted to strike up a conversation ever since they boarded. Why can’t people on planes just mind their own damn business?
“No,” she says. “I’m actually going to Long Beach for a trade show.”
“Really?” he says, his face lighting up. “Me too!”
“The screen printing show?” she asks, knowing Long Beach is the venue for all sorts of trade shows.
“Yes,” he says. “I have to buy a new press and some other smaller stuff. I’ve never been before but I figured it would save me a lot of time and hassle if I could see and compare a few machines all in the same place at the same time. What about you? Also looking to buy something?”
“No, we’re exhibiting. My company manufactures adhesives and cleaning chemicals. I’ve done the show for about six years now. Works out great for us.”
“How so?”
“Well, every year we find new prospects and usually end up turning most of them into customers.”
“You do any other marketing?” he asks, intrigued by her apparent enthusiasm for the show.
“Oh yes, we still do the usual stuff like flyers, email blasts, and phone calls. We’ve tried cold-calling prospects too, but we’re a small company and that takes a lot of time and the returns aren’t great. So shows make more sense for us.”
“Maybe I should be thinking of exhibiting . . . is this is a good one?”
“Usually. And it should be another good one this year if the freakin’ truck driver gets my crate there . . . But yes, it’s really well managed.”
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