Today, Expo East is among the venues leading the way in sustainable operations. The press room is augmented with a few printers, connected to the computer terminals that now line the same wall. But otherwise there's nary a paper in sight. It's becoming more of an event room. Just before the show floor opens, organizers will host a media breakfast and a panel discussion on new products debuting at the show. At the end of the day, members of the media and select manufacturers have been invited to a cocktail reception. Reporters still love free wine and booze. The quantities consumed are much more reserved than in years past, but make no mistake: The forum is as popular as ever.
Of course, the coffee urn is still there, too. That's another thing that will never change. Well, it better not.