10 replies to this topic

[rudedogggg]

After attending the PPAI expo for the 1st time, to be honest its just too big. I prefer the ASI shows with fewer exhibitors and more time to actually talk and negotiate with suppliers. With 4000 or whatever suppliers and a total of about 1200 minutes to see them all there just isnt enough time. Just the walk from my room to the convention center was half a mile. There are also too many distractions. I lost 100 bucks just walking to the show floor at the slots :)

[jimknecht]

Aaron, I agree 100%. We get more leads & better leads at ASI Orlando... with what, one fourth the number of distributors in Orlando. That demonstrates you distributors are overwhelmed by the size of the Expo.

[benbaker]

Having been at Both PPAI and ASI Vegas on numerous occasions, I can tell you that if I don't have an action plan at either I'm toast. I walk around with an excel spreadsheet sorted by booth number with the name of the company, contact person and what I want to talk to them about highlighted.

If you are not on that list, you don't have something my client is looking for or you don't have something that JUMPS out and GRABS me, I'm gone.

I cannot see all the vendors at the show, neither do I want to.

I am thinking about going to the regional show in Seattle in Sept. Mark Shinn when is that? To see what a smaller show offers me.

The bottom line is that you have to attack these monster shows with a game plan and stick to it or you'll never accomplish what you need to.

I just kept being distracted by those DARN DOOLEY CUPS on the second floor:D

Ben

jimknecht said:

Aaron, I agree 100%. We get more leads & better leads at ASI Orlando... with what, one fourth the number of distributors in Orlando. That demonstrates you distributors are overwhelmed by the size of the Expo.

[FindingPromo]

Great points Ben.

There are a couple types of people that sometimes may not not enjoy their experience at any medium to large show:

A) I call them the "Freshmen on Campus" you see them with the map all spread out just outside of the entrance door. Now most everyone refers to the guide or map at some point, but I'm referring to these folks that open the map for the very first time, the minute the hit the entrance, and begin their planning for the the show then.

B) These are the "grid walkers" bound and determined (they don't always know why) to hit every aisle of every show, and see every booth. It is doable but the focus I just can't see via this method.

Those that fail to plan, plan to fail is a very well know statement, and the most successful folks that have come back with a positive experience that they have "personalized" are ones that clearly lay out their plan and organize blocks of time to do certain things. See their top 20, 50 or 100 suppliers (hopefully some of mine are a part of that) visit the new product pavilion and pick up a guide to that for future reference, visit the awards section for the great ideas, and with some of their spare time team up with some of their peers to take "sections" of the floor to concentrate on, and come back and share ideas with. This works most beneficially when all of the peers in the peer group know about the clients and needs of the others in the group. I've seen this work, and then you "carve out the floor" in manageable parcels, share the best ideas, then plan on going back and seeing the best ideas that your peers have shown.

Ben the NWPMA Fall Showcase in Bellevue (Seattle) is September 4th for Professional Development day and the show is 9.5. The Spring Showcase is March 4/5 similar format in Portland.

Thanks for mentioning the Regional Shows Ben!

Anyone can find out more information about the Regional Association events at www.RegionalAssociation.org or click Here for a map

[tedp]

Everyone's different. This year, I got so much out of PPAI - more than I ever have. Started up top in back. Only finished half of that floor for the day. Many, smaller booths. 2nd day, finished top floor, and went through much of the lower floor. Bigger booths, fewer suppliers (or so it seems). Spent day 3 picking and choosing which booths on lower floor to visit with, finishing it up.

I'd typed up a list of booths by booth number, but trying to find booth numbers on the floor got old, so I just did the above, and really got a lot out of it. Oh, and did the new products pavilion on the first evening, or whenever that sneak peek was...

Ended up ordering plenty of samples, took almost 400 photos, etc. Had to work my way around the camera Nazi at the new products display. What were they thinking, saying we couldn't take pix there?

Great show this year. One reason for that is that I was popping ibuprofen before, during and after the show for my lower parts... :D

That's not to say the regionals aren't great, too. I love doing the Monterey show, although they moved it, so I don't think I'll go. Long Beach, SAAC is also a great show. Traveling shows are good if you need to spend serious time with vendor reps. I always try to hit those, but this year, they all seem to be skipping Sacramento.

[benbaker]

Mark:

Great points, may have to come to the Spring show as the fall one is ALWAYS on my birthday. Wouldn't be a big deal, but it is also my dad's and mother in law's as well:eek:

Ted, I'm with you, what was up with people telling us we could not take pictures in the new product pavillion. She got a whatever, please get out of my shot:D The trick is to say it with charm:cool:

Sorry I did not bump into either one of you this year.

I thought it was a great show and my feet are still sore to prove it.

Ben

[Tigerpaw]

Ted...

tedp said:

That's not to say the regionals aren't great, too. I love doing the Monterey show, although they moved it, so I don't think I'll go.

-- Yes, the show previously held in Monterey, CA will move to Santa Clara, CA, but this is only about 50 miles north of Monterey.

The Santa Clara Convention Center is much larger than the facility in Monterey, and does lack the "ambiance" of being in Monterey, but it'll still be good! :D

Tom

[tedp]

That's not the point, Tom. Monterey was always an opportunity to take an extra day or two and enjoy the area. What good is Santa Clara? I'd rather have a smaller show than give up the location.

We heard this a lot the last time they went to Santa Clara, and if I'm not mistaken, attendance dropped, hence the move back to Monterey. Why try it again? If it were up to me, I'd just limit the show to what will fit in the available venue. Monterey is a very popular show. It'll be interesting to see if attendance drops.

Regardless, I hope it's successful for all...

Tigerpaw said:

Ted...



-- Yes, the show previously held in Monterey, CA will move to Santa Clara, CA, but this is only about 50 miles north of Monterey.

The Santa Clara Convention Center is much larger than the facility in Monterey, and does lack the "ambiance" of being in Monterey, but it'll still be good! :D

Tom

[rudedogggg]

Heck I wouldnt mind a few days in any California city right now. We are expecting snow tonight :/

[Promo Man]

I prefer SAAGNY in Atlantic City. A little bigger than ASI shows, but not as big as Las Vegas PPAI. The difference is 50 pen vendors vs. 30.

[DBeavers]

In 23 years, I've attended PPAI in Dallas one year (prior to their move to Lost Wages), ASO Dallas one year, The PPAI Summer Marketplace when they brought it to New Orleans, and finally the last day of ASI Chicago last year.

One or two of these per decade is enough to remind me that I still prefer the smaller traveling expos - such as the Advantages Roadshow I attended in Houston this week. Suppliers had more time per attendee to visit, educate, and motivate.

My SanMar rep advised me of their new Company Store websites they will create with select shirts, jackets, etc, including the clients logo and approved colors. I doubt they had much time to share that in the big shows.

I've already attended the Southern Showcase in Houston in January, and plan on hitting the NSA Showcase there in April.

Alan Goldfarb is bringing his MidAmerica Showcase to Texas for the first time this year, so you can look for me at his Houston stop in May.

July will be time for the Texas PPA week of shows, with Houston's "Hot Stuff" expo being the biggest I'll attend this year.

As the good book says, "all things in moderation", and my feet agree.

Dennis