71 replies to this topic

[jimknecht]

Thanks Steve. I haven't done that show in a few years & may need to look into it again. From my perspective, that show was hurt when ASI came into Philly. As opposed to one good show there were two so so ones. Now that ASI has moved to NY, I might want to reevaluate my position.

Is there more separation between the two shows now? Initially, they were just weeks apart. Also, how long is the show now? If I remember correctly, they used to do an additional half day & that day was very slow & made the show more expensive.

I am torn between doing Prom East & doing most of the individual regional shows? Have you done your own regional?

Edited by jimknecht, 29 November 2009 - 05:58 PM.

[promoman1]

Jim: Our SAAC Show in Long Beach California is a very good show. It's all the way to the west coast, but this a strong market, despite California's economic woes. The state is in the tank, but we do have nice weather. :D

[jimknecht]

Jeff, I did that show a few years ago. The show is really nice & in a great location. Problem is it is too far away from us. Yes, we do some work out there but after attending the show, didn't see any upturn in business.

Our strength is in folks that are withing 2 days or so from Memphis. Then our free 24 hour service becomes a huge selling point.

[epicemb]

ASI left Philly a year or two back - the show just did not draw as well as they hoped which I would imagine is a testament to the strength of Promotions East. ASI moved the show to New York - these days they are about a month apart. I do not know how well the NY show is doing - I'm sure that there are folks out there that like the idea of a show in NYC, but I'm not one - the expense and hassle are just too much - just getting a cab at the Javits Center at the end of the day is a nightmare.

jimknecht said:

Thanks Steve. I haven't done that show in a few years & may need to look into it again. From my perspective, that show was hurt when ASI came into Philly. As opposed to one good show there were two so so ones. Now that ASI has moved to NY, I might want to reevaluate my position.

Is there more separation between the two shows now? Initially, they were just weeks apart. Also, how long is the show now? If I remember correctly, they used to do an additional half day & that day was very slow & made the show more expensive.

I am torn between doing Prom East & doing most of the individual regional shows? Have you done your own regional?

[Chris Miller]

Jim,

I just came up with a great idea. You should ask a couple of your best, most creative distributors to work your booth for you for a few shows and see what kind of interest they drum up. This could be interesting.....

[jimknecht]

I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. Don't you remember working the DT booth a few years back? :)

[Chris Miller]

jimknecht said:

Don't you remember working the DT booth a few years back? :)

Honestly, not really. :D

[royster13]

Chris might have had a few too many Dooley cups!...lol...

[jimknecht]

I just registered for the Sunbelt show being held in Birmingham, AL Feb. 17-18. I notice they offer suppliers free freight between 3 regionals... The Carolinas (CAAMP) on Feb. 15-16, Sunbelt on Feb. 17-18 and Georgia (GAAPPP) on Feb. 23.

Anyone here familiar with CAAMP or GAAPPP?

[rjswave]

CPPA (not to be confused with the California Potbellied Pig Assoc.) has their next show (Winter Expo) at the M&T stadium in Baltimore, MD on January 27.

Their fall expo is scheduled for Sept 30 in Rockville, MD.

CPPA registration for both shows is due by Jan 8.

Registration info:
http://www.cppa.biz/pdfs/ExpoReg10.pdf

[jimknecht]

Rob, explain the two shows. How are they different & which do you think is better?

[rjswave]

jimknecht said:

Rob, explain the two shows. How are they different & which do you think is better?

Wish I could be of more help but I have no idea; I don't attend the regionals. I would probably attend if they were closer to me but it's a 2 hrs+ drive.

I go to Promotions East in Atlantic City to get the best results for my time and money; actually I get Trade Show Overload there but it's the most suppliers in one place at one time.

I posted the regional show schedules for your info. Maybe there are some CPPA members here that can be of more help.

[FindingPromo]

jimknecht said:

Anyone here familiar with CAAMP or GAAPPP?

Jim,

Here are the current leaders of GAPPP and their website:

http://www.gappp.org/

http://www.regionala...outheast/GAPPP/

I know Doug and Lisa very well and they'll give you a full report on their organization. Beyond the strong Metro Atlanta distributors, they draw from throughout the Southeast.

Here are the current leaders of CAAMP and their website:

http://www.caas.net/bod.asp

http://www.regionala...outheast/CAAMP/

http://www.caas.net/

I know Dwayne, Dan and Joy pretty well, and I'm sure they will also give you a full report on what their regional is all about. Besides the Raleigh/Durham research triangle and Charlotte areas I know some key folks from both Piedmont Triangle (Greensboro/Winston-Salem and High Point) and South Carolina that all participate.

Edited by FindingPromo, 04 December 2009 - 09:09 PM.

[jimknecht]

Thanks Mark, that is helpful. However I still would like to hear opinions from a layman's perspective.

[FindingPromo]

I've got no horse in this race Jim. Nor do the folks I referred you to, other than 4 of the 6 are a part of key distributor teams in their regions, who would give you a local perspective. If you want a true representative opinion in each market, I'd check with some of the customers that write business with you, as well as the prospective ones that you'd like to do business with, then pick up the phone and see if the events are an important part of their business.

I'm sure those that choose to chime in on this thread will have their own, individual perspective, but the investments that you are talking about, are worth a little more local research to determine you prospective ROI into each area I would think. Getting a representative sample in each market I think can be done by gathering a combination of perspectives from your top customers, your DT followers and prospects you'd like to meet, a combination of the above.

Good Luck in your decision making!

[promoman1]

Jim: Have you considered the Showtime Shows? Ron Baron is taking these over in 2010. Ron get's "it" and things will be handled differently. There are new technology tools that may be incorporated that will enable you to easily stay in touch with prospect. This type of technology has not really been used in our industry and it's very effective. We will be using these same tools for FreePromoTips suppliers and it's pretty cool.

Ron Baron: ronaldbaron@msn.com 303.472.4642

Sorry I won't see you at the Expo. :(

[jimknecht]

Jeff, for now I'm gonna stay away from the traveling shows. They seem to be real hit or miss... with a lot of cancellations. I just don't trust them at this point.

[Murmur]

Jim,

Attached is the copy of the flyer for the TSPPA regional show in March.

jimknecht said:

Andrew, unless more folks like you post, we won't hear about lots of shows.

Thanks for the comments. You know how many attended the summer show?

Attached File(s)

•  Marcjh_2010_Exhibit_Flyer.pdf (146.16K)
  Number of downloads: 7

[jimknecht]

Thanks. Looks like 3 regionals have gotten together there also, with their shows 2 days apart.

[jimknecht]

Just registered for CAAMP (Carolinas) & GAPPP (Georgia). So now I will be doing the 3 show sweep between Charlotte, Birmingham & Atlanta.

Gonna go home for a few days between Birmingham & Atlanta. Taking the wife to see Kris Kristofferson & Merle Haggard.