Bill Myers

So what field trips are in your plans?

Back when we were in grade school the teachers loved to take us on field trips.

They would pack 30 wild kids in a bright yellow school bus and we'd go off to a museum, park, or local business to see first hand what we had been hearing about in school.

Once in a while, we would actually learn something useful.

These days, I still love taking field trips, usually to trade shows or business expositions, or events where consumers go to get closer to their dreams.

Just last week I attended the Tampa RV show - which is billed as the largest RV show in the world. With more than 300 exhibitors spread out over 18 acres, and more than 100,000 visitors trying to see everything at once, it was quite an experience.

I took my camera and shot photos of the exhibits, the crowds, the display booths and the products people were buying. All this as part of my research to learn what people in this particular target market want to buy.

Often, by leaving your desk and getting out in the real world, you discover product ideas and opportunities you might have missed. And that's one reason I like taking field trips like the one above.

So what field trips are in your plans?