The time that a company has in the exhibit hall at a conference is finite and it should be used to get the most exposure to the audience they are trying to reach.
While it is fun to re-connect with friends at a conference, there is a time and place for that, and it’s at the bar and various networking events.
Don’t blow off prospects while you catch up with buddies.
There have been so many times when I’d have an interest in speaking with an exhibitor about business, and I waited patiently waited for their personal conversation to end.
Too often I’d move on and they’d lose out on a prospect.
Don’t do that when you have that precious time at your booth. Do business – that’s why you are there.