System and method for improved information exchange in trade shows

• US 20030195833A1
• Filed: 04/16/2002
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Park-Tours Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Park-Tours Incorporated
• Inventors: Baranowski, Robert
• Application Number:
  US10/124,175
• Publication Number:
  US 20030195833A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/37
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems

Abstract

Attendance at a trade show can be made more efficient by providing a website that can be accessed prior to attending the show. Through the website, a schedule of exhibitors or events can be created, preferably based on user criteria defining exhibitors, products or services desired. This schedule can be kept and dynamically altered on a portable device with wireless communications capability that communicates with a wireless infrastructure providing a service area at said trade show. The wireless infrastructure can also be used for communication among trade show attendees, receipt of e-mail, information gathering, making purchases, etc.

Claims

1. A method for attending a trade show at a trade show venue, said method comprising carrying a wireless portable device with a user interface while attending said trade show, and, with said portable device, receiving information about said trade show from a wireless infrastructure that provides a wireless service area encompassing some or all of said trade show venue.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a map of said trade show on said portable device.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising displaying a current location of said portable device on said map.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising displaying a current location of one or more other trade show attendees on said map.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a message with said portable device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a message with said portable device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, using said portable device, conducting a two-way voice communication with another trade show attendee who is also using a portable device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising tracking a schedule of exhibitors, seminars, or events to be visited at said trade show with said portable device.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising logging onto a trade show website prior to attending said trade show to generate said schedule of exhibitors or seminars.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said generation of said schedule further comprises:

entering criteria to said website defining products, services, technologies, themes or exhibitors of interest to a user; and

generating said schedule based on said criteria.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising, with said portable device, storing collected information about products, services or exhibitors at said trade show.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said storing collected information further comprises directing said information to a web account of a user that is accessible via the Internet, said method further comprising accessing said web account via the Internet to access said information.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing contact information to an exhibitor at said trade show with said portable device.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising electronically downloading said contact information from said portable device to a data exchange box associated with said exhibitor.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving advertisements with said portable device.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said wireless infrastructure is connected to the Internet and said method further comprises receiving an e-mail message transmitted via the Internet with said portable device.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein said wireless infrastructure is connected to the Internet and said method further comprises using said portable device to access information about local businesses, wherein said portable device can be used to make reservations or purchases within said businesses.

13. The method of 1, further comprising making a purchase by entering a purchase order into said portable device.

19. A trade show venue comprising:

spaces for exhibitors within said trade show venue;

a network of wireless base stations that provide a wireless communication service area within said trade show venue; and

a controller configured to communicate with said network of wireless base stations to provide data to wireless portable device in said service area used by trade show attendees.

20. A method of conducting a trade show at a trade show venue, said method comprising:

providing attendees with a wireless portable device with a user interface to be carried while attending said trade show; and

transmitting receiving information about said trade show to said portable devices from a wireless infrastructure that provides a wireless service area encompassing some or all of said trade show venue.

21. A method of soliciting attendance at a trade show, said method comprising:

providing an access to information about said trade show;

receiving criteria that defines a product, service or exhibitor that a prospective attendee of said trade show desires; and

automatically generating a schedule for attending said trade show for said prospective attendee based on said criteria.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising accepting registration for said trade show through said website.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising downloading said schedule into a personal digital assistant for use at said trade show.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising printing said schedule for use at said trade show.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising providing at least one kiosk at said trade show at which an attendee can update or make changes to said schedule.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising providing at least one kiosk at said trade show at which an attendee can update or make changes to said schedule.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising providing at least one kiosk at said trade show at which an attendee can transmit contact information to a designated exhibitor or receive and store information from a particular exhibitor.

28. The method of claim 24, further comprising providing at least one kiosk at said trade show at which an attendee can transmit contact information to a designated exhibitor or receive and store information from a particular exhibitor.

29. The method of claim 23, further comprising providing at least one kiosk at said trade show at which an attendee can access travel planning functions or local businesses for reservations or purchases.

30. The method of claim 24, further comprising providing at least one kiosk at said trade show at which an attendee can access travel planning functions or local businesses for reservations or purchases.