I just got back from attending Internet World, Summer '97 in Chicago, Illinois--five days of Internet conferences coupled with three days of vendor exhibits.

Internet World conference topics range from marketing to technical and conceptual to hands-on.

Typical to most big computer trade shows, we had keynote addresses from industry leaders and hundreds of vendor exhibits hocking their wares and showing us what is "coming soon to the Internet near us."

While most computer trade shows are skewed toward computer or network professionals, there is great deal of information that can be had by the non-corporate individual that is interested in computer technology and where it is heading.

If you are interested in seeing live previews and finding out information that no computer magazine will bring you, consider attending one of these events.

Trade shows are done all over the world and there is probably one in a major city near you. A local trade show can cost you almost nothing except a little time, yet net you a great deal of insight.

To find out what is happening in your neck of the woods, visit Trade Show Central. According to the site, "Trade Show Central is a free Internet service providing information on more than 30,000 Trade Shows, Conferences & Seminars..."

Having attended major computer trade shows since 1989, there are a few things I have picked up along the way that may be helpful for those deciding to pursue a show.

First, there are basically two different types of shows, conferences and exhibits. At the larger shows, they often run simultaneous to each other.

Conferences come in two flavors, pay and free.

Internet World attendees paid between $1195 and $1395 depending how many months in advance they registered. This "passport" gave access to almost any conference (there were a few hundred to choose from, each lasting one to three hours). While this may seem high, consider that the major players in the Internet game were there to show their secrets and let you query them. There is nothing that could have replaced asking questions of the foremost authorities.

This level of information and breadth of topics can only be found in pay conferences, however, a well-designed free one may cover what you need.

If you are interested in a particular product, contact the vendor and ask about shows in your area or at their company. Sometimes there is a nominal fee. The only problem with these is the lack of objectivity since they are selling you their product.

Exhibits are a different animal. Often you can pay $25 or even get in free to these. The floor space is paid for by the exhibitors. If you look young, be prepared to show proof that you are over eighteen years old and have a business card handy.  They want to know that you are able to buy, not just look.

If you intend to visit a show, make plane, auto and hotel reservations months in advance. At Fall COMDEX trade shows (in Las Vegas) it is not uncommon to find out that every single hotel in a 60 mile radius is sold out three months prior.

If you will be hitting the exhibit halls, wear comfortable shoes.  I cannot stress this enough. I remember a few years back that Fall COMDEX announced over a million square feet of exhibition space. Yes, one million. Try walking that in heels or wingtips. It is common to see people in suits or dresses wearing Reeboks and Nikes at these shows. Vendors usually wear khakis, polo-type shirts and very comfortable shoes, you should too.

Final tips: arrive the day before, get plenty of rest, ask that information be sent to you rather than picking up every informational brochure, and finally, yell loudly at the presentations (they give away free prizes like t-shirts called "spiffs" to enthusiastic people).