Co-locate and Save June 26, 2009
Posted by George in Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show Information.Tags: co-locating, saving money, Trade Show Displays, trade shows
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Have you noticed that companies are thinking outside the box to save on expenses and improve their bottom line? For instance, fast food restaurants share the same location to reduce overhead costs and give customers more choices thus drawing in more business. Well, it seems like trade shows are beginning to do the same thing more and more these days as the economy has taken a downturn. By co-locating at a trade show they can cut overhead costs and at the same time reach a greater cross section of potential customers. It also increases overall attendance as each trade show draws its own distinct crowd. The higher the attendance the more possibilities of discount prices with hotels, restaurants, etc. Bigger trade shows draw more press coverage and thus more attendees leading to more profits.
A few examples of what is happening in the trade show business:
- The Toy Industry Assn.’s American Intl. Toy Fair will collocate with Show Initiative’s Engage! Expo, previously Virtual World Expo, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York in February.
- The Intl. Housewares Assn.’s Intl. Home & Housewares Show will collocate with The Travel Goods Assn.’s The Travel Goods Show beginning March 6-8, 2011, at Chicago’s McCormick Place
- The Institute of Food Technologists and the Food Processing Suppliers Assn. will collocate their two events – IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo and FPSA Process Expo – July 18-20, 2010, at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
- Beginning in 2010, BSCAI will co-locate its annual convention to be held in conjunction with the ISSA/INTERCLEAN® trade show, to be held in Orlando, Fla., next year.
- The Canadian Toy Association’s annual tradeshow will be held alongside the country’s largest gift show, the Canadian Gift & Tableware Assn. Show, in 2010 in a move show organizers expect will increase buyer attendance for both events.
- The Western Food-service & Hospitality Expo will co-locate with Expo Comida Latina at the San Diego Convention Center here Aug. 30 through Sept. 1. Billed as the largest foodservice-focused trade event on the West Coast, the expo is sponsored by the California Restaurant Association.
Hopefully some good things will come out of this recession as companies learn new ways to operate more cost effectively while increasing sales potential.
PBA Symposium and Your Beauty Network June 15, 2009
Posted by George in Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show Information.Tags: Trade Show Displays, trade shows, Las Vegas, Your Beauty Network, YBN, 2009 PBA Symposium, professional beauty association, mandalay bay hotel and casino
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Your Beauty Network (YBN) is the leader in business education and support services for beauty professionals making available an online client database, e-marketing promotions, management tools and a career hub. This year YBN will be a sponsor of the 2009 PBA Symposium entitled Consumer Culture which take place July 18 -21 at the Mandalay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
The professional Beauty Association (PBA) is a non-profit association dedicated to providing business tools, education, government advocacy, and networking which benefits its members as well as the beauty industry as a whole. The PBA produces trade shows including the 2009 PBA Symposium being held in cooperation with Cosmoprof North America (CPNA), an influential business-to-business trade show for the global beauty industry.
The PBA Symposium is designed as an educational event for the beauty industry. Business owners will be able to learn about technology to help them meet their full potential. A research study, Business of Beauty: Maximize Your Profitability will be presented at the symposium. Conducted on a national level, this study reveals that stylists do like to recommend and sell products but they need more training.
The PBA Symposium is part of the PBA Beauty Week which includes the North American Hairstyling Awards, a prestigious beauty competition. Over 600 salon and spa owners and managers and more than 25,000 attendees from around the world are expected at this year’s event.
You can get more information about this event at their web site: http://www.probeauty.org/symposium/.
2009 Buyer’s Choice Award June 10, 2009
Posted by George in Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits.Tags: Buyer's Choice Awards, Design View Presentation System, Skyline Exhibits, Trade Show Displays, trade shows
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The winner of the 2009 Buyer’s Choice Award is Skyline Exhibits for its new DesignView™ Presentation System. The Buyer’s Choice Award is the best new product award at the Exhibitor Show, the biggest event in the trade show industry. The DesignView™ Presentation System makes it more portable, affordable, and easier to create a large moving image or to change trade show display graphics to present different marketing messages without having to print new graphics. It combines a short-throw projector and a portable 10-foot screen allowing easy graphic changes.
DesignView™ can be used with front or rear screen projection. It allows you to build your presentation right into your display. It gives you a big, branded graphic with a built-in screen area for seamless, impactful messaging. It runs off of a laptop which can show movies, PowerPoint presentations, or static images.
Skyline Exhibits, with its nearly 100 Design Centers in North America and representation in 38 countries, is known for high-quality manufacturing, cost-saving portability, innovative functionality, creative design and exhibitor education. They manufacture a broad range of products for trade shows and events including banner stands, pop-up displays, and large custom modular exhibits. For more information you can visit their web site at www.skyline.com.
2009 Innovation Awards June 5, 2009
Posted by George in Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show Information.Tags: Trade Show Displays, trade shows, Trade Show Executive, trade show awards
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Each year Trade Show Executive awards companies for coming up with new products and services which will improve the efficiency and productivity of trade shows. A panel of independent judges looks at companies’ ability to provide new value for show organizers, attendees and exhibitors. They also judge their contribution to the exposition industry as a whole. Winning companies receive a plaque and the top five winners are invited to present details of their products at the Trade Show Executive Gold 100 Awards and Summit in September. This year’s winners of the 2009 Innovation Awards and their products are as follows:
- a2z, Inc.
ChirpE website access application for smartphones
- Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)
Construction Challenge educational event for students at CONEXPO-CON/AGG
- Champion Exposition Services
Champion Digital Signage with Attendee Tracking System
- Exhibit Surveys, Inc & Constellation Communication Corp.
Trade Show Planning and Measurement Tool
- Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA)
Worker Identification System for trade show workers
- The Global Executive
Etouches®, Integrated Event Technologies event planning tool
- ITN International, Inc.
BCARD debit card
- Mingle360
MingleStick electronic business card exchange device
Congratulations to all of the winners!
DMG Sells Gift Shows May 29, 2009
Posted by George in Press Releases, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show Information.Tags: California Gift Shows, DMG, Michael Franks, Trade Show Displays, trade shows
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According to News Online, dmg world media sold the California Gift Show to Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. The remaining dmg gifts shows on the West Coast and in Canada are now up for sale. This is part of an ongoing overhaul of the company that began in 2007. Mike Cooke, CEO of dmg, says that they are refocusing their business on fast-growing trade markets.
With the sale of the California Gift Show, dmg has shows left in Seattle, San Francisco and in Canada. These will be sold in two separate packages. They have already received inquiries from prospective buyers.
The company also announced the retirement of COO Michael Franks after 12 years. He will remain with the company on a part-time basis.
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. plans to bring the California Gift Show to Los Angeles under their management. The show will run July 14-20 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and the L.A. Mart. MMPI believes that Los Angeles is a valuable market for the gift industry.
ESCA and Unions to Hold Summit May 20, 2009
Posted by George in Press Releases, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show Information.Tags: ESCA, Exhibition Services and Contractors Association, Trade Show Displays, trade shows
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Leaders of the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) and labor unions will hold a summit on June 24th to discuss productivity in the trade show industry. This will be a follow-up meeting from one held in April of this year. They are seeking ways for contractors and unions representing show floor workers to work together to enhance the value of exhibitions in light of today’s economic challenges.
Citing the failure of the auto industry as an example, ESCA leaders stressed the importance of preparing for a continued economic downturn by coming up with solutions and flexibility rather than waiting it out and then returning to business as usual. The trade show industry must do everything necessary to ensure exhibitions remain viable during this time.
Larry Arnaudet, executive director of ESCA, suggested labor make its own sacrifices even as contractors have by taking steps to keep their costs under control. Unions should consider easing work rules and using a realistic approach to negotiating compensation and benefits. The main focus for all should be the preservation of participation in exhibits so that as the economy recovers exhibitors will be more apt to return.
ESCA board member Bob Lessin suggested that this might be a good opportunity to find ways to increase productivity through analysis and improved formal training of the workforce.
This economic downturn is forcing every industry to examine what they do and how they do it and the trade show industry is no exception. Hopefully, the ultimate outcome of change will be a better overall industry for the future.
There’s Still Good News May 15, 2009
Posted by George in Press Releases, Trade Show Information.Tags: Trade and Investment Convention, Trade Show Displays, trade shows
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Organizers of the Trade and Investment Convention 2009 report record registration of international buyers for this year’s event, even in the face of economic hard times. The convention will be held at the Centre of Excellence in Trinidad from June 24-27, 2009. In light of the surprise registrations, organizers conducted a poll of buyers and discovered that international buyers are seeking out new suppliers because of the economic recession. They are actively looking for new competitive sources of raw materials, products and services to help get through the recession as well as position themselves for the future.
Last year’s event drew buyers from 30 countries while this year has 39 registered buyers so far. These are prequalified businesses that are actively seeking new products and suppliers. Most countries of the Caribbean will be attending and several new countries will be coming from Africa including South Africa and Niger. Asia is sending contingents from China, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. In addition, participants from the U.S., UK, France, and Canada will attend. Central and Latin America will be represented by Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, and Uruguay. Trinidad and Tobago are in an ideal location as a North-South business hub for the Western hemisphere.
The Trade and Investment Convention requires participants to be registered to carry on business at their event. They offer matchmaking and networking services to help connect exhibitors with international buyers. Buyers include corporate and industrial purchasers, agents, distributors, importers, wholesalers and retailers from both the private and public sectors.
This year will be the 10th anniversary of the Trade and Investment Convention. It is sponsored by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, TSTT and First Citizens.
Dallas Convention Center Gets OK for Hotel May 5, 2009
Posted by George in Press Releases, Trade Show Information.Tags: Dallas Convention Center, Omni hotel, Trade Show Displays, trade shows
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The Dallas Convention Center, ranking 10th in size in Trade Show Executive’s directory of the World’s Top Convention Centers, received voters’ approval to add a new 1,000-room Omni hotel to the convention center. A challenge had been made to the city’s ownership of hotels but Dallas voters turned that challenge down ending a 30-year wait for an attached convention center hotel. The city can now proceed with the sale of construction bonds for the hotel which is scheduled to open in 2011.
Matthews Southeast will be the developer of this $500 million project which will also include new restaurants and retail space. The Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau said it has already booked 400,000 room nights based on the approval of the hotel. Groups including the Helicopter Association International, Safari Club International, and the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association have booked rooms.
Omni Hotels will operate the new hotel alongside of the convention center’s 1,018,942 square feet of prime exhibit space. The hotel, along with new restaurants and retail space, should add a little more revenue to the area.
First Ever Anatomy Expo April 27, 2009
Posted by George in Press Releases, Trade Show Exhibits.Tags: AAPC, anatomy expo, June trade show, Nashville, Tennessee, trade shows
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In the face of the current economic downturn there is still good news coming out of the trade show industry. Nearly 2,000 medical coders and health care professionals showed up in Las Vegas April 5-8 for the American Academy of Professional Coders’ (AAPC) National Conference. This four day event included the AAPC’s first ever Anatomy Expo led by nine physicians who provided attendees with an in-depth look into the different functions and parts of the body through the use of anatomical models, devices and videos.
The AAPC is the nation’s largest medical coding training and certification association for medical coders. It provides credentials to medical coders in physician offices, outpatient facilities, and payer environments.
This year’s conference included more than 45 educational courses designed to keep members updated on many topics and a keynote presentation by three-time cancer survivor Matt Jones on winning strategies for the “race of life.” The conference address focused on the state of the health care industry and its impact on conference attendees. Also presented was the training plan for the transition to the new ICD-10-CM code set which will be implemented in 2013.
The AAPC’s 2010 National Conference will be held June 6-9, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. The AAPC will also be hosting two regional conferences later this year. The first will be held in Oahu, Hawaii in September and the second in Norfolk, Virginia in October. You can get more information on the American Academy of Professional Coders and their conferences at their web site at http://www.aapc.com.
Why Do a Trade Show? April 17, 2009
Posted by George in Marketing, Trade Show Displays, Trade Show Exhibits, Trade Show Information, Trade Show Marketing, Trade Show Sales.Tags: trade show business, trade show display, Trade Show Displays, trade shows
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A trade show is all about promoting a company’s products and services. There are a number of benefits that make a trade show a good investment. For one, a good trade show can save a company money in sales and marketing expenses. Exhibiting at a trade show is one of the best ways to reach a lot of prospects in a short period of time. Attendees at a trade show already have an interest in your product or service because trade shows are geared to specific industries. A majority of attendees at trade shows have either purchasing power or purchasing influence with their company so that sales can be closed on the spot without having to make individual sales calls. Attendees are generally looking for products or services so the time required to close a deal is usually much shorter than a cold call to the company. And there are a lot of prospects in one place saving on travel expense.
Trade shows have been shown to be very effective for marketing products and services. Modern technology allows exhibitors to get out a lot of information effectively through the use of visual and audio presentations. Typical national trade shows draw 10,000 attendees which can translate into 200 visitors a day for your trade show display. Surveys have shown that nearly half of attendees at trade shows have purchased products or services. An exhibit provides the opportunity to promote not only your products and services, but also your company. Trade show booths are becoming more and more eye-catching and are able to captivate audiences to get your message across. Personal contact makes sure your business cards and promotional literature are getting into the hands of your potential clients.
Trade shows are also an effective way to promote new products to your audience. They allow visual displays and demonstrations of your product. There is no better deal closer than a personal hands-on experience with a new product.
Trade shows also allow face to face contact with your current customers so that relationships can be solidified ensuring future business. Customers tend to do business first with people they know on a personal basis. Trade shows are famous for business networking with both existing and new clients. This is even more important in a tough economic climate.
These are just a few good reasons to do a trade show and why trade shows will continue to be an important marketing tool in today’s economy. Recession may slow them down a little but trade shows definitely have a strong future.
