83 replies to this topic

[djoctagone]

Are you happy that PPAI The Expo is in Las Vegas? Do you wish it was somewhere else?

If it were somewhere else, would you stay longer? Perhaps take advantage of education days?

[jimknecht]

Scott, I wish your poll had more choices. Yes, I would like to see it move, but it doesn't have to be in the central time zone. As I stated in another thread, I would like to see the show move around. St. Louis sounds good & it is not warm... at least in Jan. Same for New York. Atlanta would be nice also.

[lcorey]

I would love to go myself.... just wished it was a little closer for those of us that are 30 minutes North of Boston, MA. and not in Las Vegas! Maybe they could try to plan it right smack in the middle somewhere? ;)

[lcorey]

or should I have said "Bawstin" :D

[cpecher]

One consideration to moving the Expo is that there just aren't that many facilities that have the capacity to hold this show. When we moved from Dallas we were at capacity and there was no room to grow. After that, the choices included Javits Center in New York, McCormick in Chicago and perhaps Atlanta, if my memory is correct. There just aren't that many places in reasonable climates that have the floorspace to hold our show.

[Hiotw]

I would like PPAI to move from Las Vegas the sooner the better. Didn't even go this
year. Can't breathe from the smokey atmosphere. The central time zone would be
good. Dallas has increased the size of it's convention center and does have additional
hotel/motel facilities now. Any where but Las Vegas at this point :rolleyes:

[gbattelle]

I believe that moving the show back to Dallas would benefit most distributors. The central location makes airfare less expensive. Most years the weather is warmer, although we have had some less than desirable weather in past years. Also, lodging has to be less expensive that Vegas, even with the deals we get. Plus the added expense of the gaming probably keeps some people away. There are plenty of things to do in Dallas without breaking the bank.

[MsPromos]

Absolutely YES. Great venue. If they moved the Expo somewhere else, I would not attend.

[Bramy]

We have Allegiant Air here and our flights can be as low as $99.00 one way. With the $42.00 per night room it was a pretty inexpensive trip for us (atleast it should have been). However, I decided to hold on to the money this year and plan to work a little harder to go next year. Living in South Dakota, it's nice to go somewhere warm in January.:) Is there a good place in Mexico or maybe a cruze line? Ha Ha - joking.

[Andrea Davis]

Yes, Vegas is huge and expensive!

[jimknecht]

I would hope folks answering this poll would look at the broader picture as far as what is best for the membership as a whole... not just what is better for you individually. Sure, Vegas is nice for you folks living in California or Arizona, for example, and Dallas would be a great choice for those living in Texas, but to me, the question is, what is best for us as a group? Does a permanent west coast show make sense for the association as a whole?

IMO, it doesn't... no more than a permanent New York show would. So, IMO, I like the idea of a central location, assuming the show can't move from year to year. However, I still feel like a rotating show would serve the most members... maybe rotating between Vegas, a central time zone choice like Chicago or Dallas, and then something on the east coast.

Curious if PPAI has ever discussed this option?

[DSubasa]

I think the thing here is this is the BIG DADDY SHOW of the industry. I can't see many places being able to really hold down what I think is trying to be done with Vegas - the tradeshow, events, learning sessions, and partying/networking.

I ran into so many people at Eyecandy in Mandalay Bay that I wouldn't have randomly run into elsewhere (like Dallas)

Plus, flights are cheapest into Vegas. McCarran is the 6th busiest airport in terms of takeoffs/landings IN THE WORLD. More flights = more seats to book = cheaper flights. This year, if you were smart enough to book your flight early, you could have gotten in on SWA for well under $100.. (My flights were $40.00 each way!)

Rooms - $63.00 a night at the Luxor, booked through PPAI.

Sure, dining can get expensive, but it can get that way at any show, unless you are eating McDonalds all the time (there's one in Luxor - found it - open 24 hours!!)

Any tradeshow target town like LV is going to have similar costs. In fact, businesses in those cities tend to jack up prices when conventions are in town..

I think things to consider when planning a large tradeshow like PPAI is, of course, accommodating the size of the show, accommodating the amount of people coming into town (hotels, restaurants, and bars, because I found out this industry really likes to drink!), and weather. No body wants to go to a place where its snowing to do a tradeshow. (Especially us thin-blooded Arizonans!).. As noted earlier, you aren't going to find too many places that can pull that off.

Its true that Dallas expanded their convention center, but it is such a PITA to get there from the hotel every day - waiting for buses, etc.. I definitely prefer the walk down that PPAI gives you - you could even run into someone and chat them up on the way.

[DSubasa]

Plus, keep in mind, this is the ONLY best coast (I mean west coast) show for the beginning of the year. You "wrong coast" people can go to Orlando. LOL

[3Koi Maui]

As usual, I tend to agree with Damon.

I personally don't like Las Vegas for fun much anymore, being a fuddy duddy and all. But I love it for a trade show destination.

Excalibur at $29/night, can't beat that, it's just a room to sleep in. Lots of food options for everyone, many open all night. Easy shuttle to/from the show from two big hotels. Easy, if long, inside walk to the convention center from three big hotels, which means weather isn't a factor and that's a biggie. No rental card needed = no parking fees.

Las Vegas handles crowds. That's what they do best, along with entertainment, like Disney.

Sure, it can be expensive to fly there for some, but then again I think that's going to happen where ever it is located. I fly over an ocean, but there are deals to Las Vegas. If you are going to count costs as "people might gamble", hey, that's not PPAI's problem.

I don't go to a trade show because I plan to spend time in the surrounding area. At least not since I used to go to the Monterrey Show. I want convenience and choices. Las Vegas gives us that.

[jimknecht]

DSubasa said:

Plus, keep in mind, this is the ONLY best coast (I mean west coast) show for the beginning of the year. You "wrong coast" people can go to Orlando. LOL

I know you are TRYING :) to be funny, but you bring up a good point. Yes, the east coast has ASI Orlando, ASI New York & Promotions East, however they never claim nor are they national shows. ASI decided, and I think rightly so, to go the multiple location route, so that more folks can attend. They position their shows so as to convenience the greatest number of attendees... and let me tell you, it works. Initially, I thought that a rather stupid idea, but after seeing how their shows work, it proves someone knew what they were doing.

I just find it odd, our one national association, has decided to locate on the far end of the country... in the middle of nowhere. Yes, I understand the issue of rooms & space & cheap flights, however is all that really worth it if the show is so far away from the masses? What about all the folks that would drive in for a day or maybe two, but will never take off all the time to fly out to Vegas? IMO, that is why ASI shows thrive... they attract a series of regional audiences where many folks only come for a day & then head home.

I do love this discussion. Funny thing is, so many things are changing in our industry. The crappy economy sure hasn't helped. But because of these changes, I think it fair to say most of us have changed our business practices to compensate. I do things today that I never dreamed of a few years ago. My whole tradeshow agenda has totally changed. I just find it interesting that PPAI is still doing things the same old way... even in the face of dropping attendance. I sure can't run my business that way. Do you?

[royster13]

http://www.ppbmag.co...le.aspx?id=5137

[3Koi Maui]

No one and no organization can be all things to all people (or members).

When the Expo was big and filled with more suppliers and distributors, people grumbled about how crowded it was, how the suppliers were fly-by-night or all the same, how the distributors were newbies and rookies and probably just family members. Now there are fewer on both sides, and people grumble that the show felt empty compared to the busy years.

PPAI puts on one big show, throws everything into it - education, business (committee meetings), the trade show. They bring in Decorate and Brand and Green and New Product sections. They have a smaller staff and many hired to help with registration and other onsite chores. Didn't they once consider having another show time/location and people grumbled about that?

Not everyone can travel to multiple shows a year. The Expo gives them the ability to get it all done in one trip. See all the suppliers. Meet and network with other resources. Get some education. Even go to a show and have some fine food, or stay in your room and order chicken wings.

ASI charges more and has deeper pockets. They've tried lots of locations, adding some, cancelling others. People grumble about too many shows in the industry. How's a supplier supposed to choose? How can they afford to show at so many, and doesn't it divide the distributor audience, forcing the supplier to choose which ones to address?

Regional shows have a purpose, and it's different than a national show. Regionals are smaller and ...well... regional. Local suppliers, local distributors. More social, usually.

National shows are a big one-stop event. Go there, and you may not need to hit another 3-4 regionals, if they are going to cost you to do so.

I am sure PPAI gets good discounts by negotiating well in advance for booking the Expo. I personally don't want them dividing up the cash into smaller regional shows. I think that's best left to another organization, like ASI or the regionals.

[Remy]

As much as Vegas is a PITA, I feel it's the best option. Lots of hotel choices, lots of food choices, lots of entertainment options and almost every airline goes there. Sorry but Dalls is no more centtrally located than Vegas and you're stuck in a convention hall/hotel setting. UGH. Would I like something closer to the east coast? Sure! But the reality is the show is too big and having it rotate around the country every year just gets confusing.

[Chris Miller]

Sounds like many are like me... just going to Vegas to go to Vegas. I doubt this is good for the exhibitors. :)

Put the thing in a central location where all who are serious can come. If attendance is down, then you've just eliminated the people like me who claim they're going for the show, but who are really just there for the entertainment.

[Remy]

Chris,
I beg to differ. People choose Vegas because there are options. The show is 7-5 with some assorted parties afterwards. If you choose to go to a sponsored party great. If not, Vegas has PLENTY of other diversions all within walking distance. No other convention site (other than NYC) can offer that.