Bright lights, big tabs: Readers sound off on ISC in NYC

YARMOUTH, Maine—ISC East or ISC Solutions?

For a majority of respondents in Security Systems News' latest monthly poll, the name of the trade show isn't an issue (it's ISC East again after a two-year stint with its alternate moniker). But what about the fact that it's still being held in the Big Apple, the most expensive U.S. city for business travel?

Well, now you've got something to chew on.

“Of course we can all agree that attending the show is a great experience. However, the expense to stay in Manhattan with a group of us cannot be overlooked,” wrote Ray Perez of Miami, Fla. “No one goes alone to the ISC show.”

Among those who said they will not be going because of the cost of attending a show in New York was one reader who suggested that a move to Atlantic City might increase attendance.

Another respondent supported the decision to hold the show in New York, saying the venue attracts a lot of “subway dealers and metro N.Y. security integrators.” However, this respondent believes “most [of] these folks come in for one day only.”

Overall, 43 percent of respondents of SSN's non-scientific poll of 92 readers said that the cost of food, lodging and transportation was an issue for attending the 2012 show, which will be held Oct. 30-31 at the Javits Center. And while a few readers said they wouldn't be going to ISC East because it was “too regional” or the date was too close to ASIS International in Philadelphia (Sept. 10-13), others spoke of the need for the show.

“The New York/New Jersey security markets are indeed important to both the ISC and the security profession,” wrote Steven Kappel. “ISC East is in one of the most competitive regions in North America. Attendees from major markets in the tri-state [area] have affordable access [to the show] via automobile and rail.”

Harvey J. Eisenstadt, a California-based sales consultant, said “although not quite the show it once was—I've been going to ISC shows since 1969—it still provides an excellent venue for networking and meeting with potential prospects for my clients.”

For more information about this year's exhibitors and seminars, go to www.isceast.com.