March 2026 Trade Show Analysis

Generated: 2026-02-09

🚨 SCHEDULING CONFLICT

Timeline

Feb 24-28   [CA Site Symposium] Valencia → Long Beach
Mar 5-6     [Region 3 Expanded Learning] CA (on calendar)
Mar 7-10    ⚠️ CHINA WINDOW (M5stack OEM visit)
Mar 11-14   [NAA] Maryland (Steve may handle?)
Mar 17-21   [SHAPE America] Missouri

Constraints from Quan

1. Must: China first week of March (M5stack OEM)
2. Maybe: NAA (Steve may handle)
3. Must: In-person meeting with Steve + Kris + Charlie before SHAPE America (dates/location TBD)

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🎯 Options

Option A: Skip NAA Entirely

• Mar 5-6: Region 3 Conference (CA)
• Mar 7-10: China (M5stack)
• Mar 11-14: NAA (Steve attends solo)
• Mar 15-16: In-person meeting (Steve/Kris/Charlie)
• Mar 17-21: SHAPE America (Missouri)

✅ Clean separation
✅ Recovery time between China + SHAPE
⚠️ ZTAG not represented at NAA (Steve only)

Option B: Tight Squeeze

• Mar 5-6: Region 3 Conference (CA)
• Mar 7-9: China (M5stack) - SHORT TRIP
• Mar 10: Travel day (China → US)
• Mar 11-14: NAA (Maryland) - arrive exhausted
• Mar 15-16: In-person meeting
• Mar 17-21: SHAPE America (Missouri)

❌ Brutal jetlag into NAA
❌ No recovery time
⚠️ China trip too short (7-9 is only 2 full days)

Option C: Delegate NAA, Optimize China

• Mar 5-6: Region 3 Conference (CA)
• Mar 7-12: China (M5stack) - PROPER TRIP (6 days)
• Mar 13-16: In-person meeting (Steve/Kris/Charlie)
• Mar 17-21: SHAPE America (Missouri)

✅ Proper China visit (OEM = relationship-building, not a sprint)
✅ Recovery time before SHAPE
✅ In-person meeting immediately after China (you'll have fresh OEM intel)
⚠️ ZTAG not represented at NAA (Steve only)

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🧠 Minnie's Take

China OEM visit is strategic. M5stack manufactures your product. Rushing it to hit NAA is false economy.

NAA with Steve solo is fine if:

• He's been briefed on messaging
• He has product demos + collateral
• Goal is relationship maintenance, not new partnerships

Option C wins unless NAA has a specific VIP meeting only you can do.

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📋 Next Steps

1. Confirm NAA delegation: Can Steve handle solo? Any critical meetings?
2. Lock China dates: Mar 7-12 = 6 days (proper OEM visit + relationship time)
3. Schedule in-person meeting: Mar 13-16 with Steve/Kris/Charlie (location TBD)
4. Book flights: China → Meeting location → SHAPE America (Missouri)

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📅 Full March View (with Option C)

• Feb 24-28: CA Site Symposium (Valencia → Long Beach)
• Mar 5-6: Region 3 Expanded Learning Conference (CA)
• Mar 7-12: 🇨🇳 China (M5stack OEM)
• Mar 11-14: NAA Maryland (Steve solo)
• Mar 13-16: In-person meeting (Steve/Kris/Charlie + Quan)
• Mar 17-21: SHAPE America Missouri (Quan + Charlie)
• Mar 20: Ecosystem Advisory Team In-Person Convening #3 (conflicts with SHAPE?)

⚠️ Additional conflict spotted: Mar 20 Ecosystem Advisory on your calendar during SHAPE America (17-21). Which takes priority?