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I do as many of these as I can get into. My business depends on constantly broadening my customer base and I find that these allow me the opportunity to meet with people I would not have had the opportunity to meet on my own. I don't go into them thinking I am going to sell a fortune, but rather looking for show and recruit leads. If I sell something, great, but that's not my total focus.

There is a site, I don't know if it's just Michigan based or not, but EventLister.com. They are a good source of shows. In addition to that, I would strongly recommend networking with other DS people. They are one of my best sources for events. Someone also recommended the DSWA, which not only is a great resource for information, but events, and friends.

Another thing, I belong to a Networking group which has worked great for me. I know, some others say it's a waste of time, but my group is highly functional and in fact, I just got a call from one of my members with a phone number and contact name for a gentleman at a community kitchen who is interested in a fund raiser. I would never have met him with out Dr Bob and my networking group.