Trade Show Advice?

Create a Post
G

George Hunter

Grumbler
Joined
Aug 15, 2000
Posts
38
Loc
Belfast, Northern Ireland
I plan to attend one U.S. trade show next year.
My problem is – Which one?
From what I can gather there seems to be a lot of them.

I am not really looking for anything in particular, just to a get view of the framing industry and products from a U.S. perspective and of course a tax deductible vacation.

Are there any major differences between the shows or are they all fundamentally the same?

Is there a list anywhere of show locations and dates?

I would appreciate any advice.
Thanks in advance.
 
[QB]I plan to attend one U.S. trade show next year.
Which one?

Are there any major differences between the shows or are they all fundamentally the same?
QB]
Click to expand...
My best advice is: if you want to see the most Stuff, go to Atlanta (a Decor show) It used to be New York (which I have been attending since it was in the ballroom of the Penta Hotel, which only other Really Old Framers will remember) but in recent times, Atlanta is bigger and a bunch cheaper, too.

For education, I have to go with the PPFA National Convention. Even in Orlando, where they only had a couple of months to throw everything together, the education was SPECTACULAR and I learned tons of stuff (Even having been in the biz for 20+ years) And there is no telling how good it is going to be in Las Vegas, but I'm betting is certainly isn't going to be less than Orlando...
 
Atlanta is a good all around show for framers and framer's education. It is a pretty nice city with nice weather even if it rains. Much less expensive than New York, (and Orlando I suspect).

Somebody correct me if I am wrong, but I think the National Convention is going to be in Las Vegas next time. I heard the education was spectacular as Ellen said, but there were not many framing vendors there, we'll have to wait and see which vendors go this year. Great place for adults, not so great if you bring your kids. The price is right if you don't lose too much gambling! :eek:

I would save New York for play. It's pricey for just going to a trade show, then being too tired to do anything.

Keep us posted about your trip.
 
George

I have being to the New York show twice, the exhibits are very interesting…..but you are unlikely to learn much more than you would in Birmingham (UK) in the US there will just be more exhibitors……..I would suggest that you take in the show or shows that will provide you with the best education………I took a few classes in New York this year the classes were very good.

If you can afford the time I think there are two shows in Las Vegas in January…….one weekend after another………one is Décor and the other is the PPFA + PMA, (can someone correct if I have the show details wrong……..Jim Miller are you there) while I think it is not the best idea in the world to have separate shows like this, it most likely will open things up for more education over what is just a long week………I also understand that Las Vegas is very inexpensive at that time of the year…..I also think that AerLingus have a direct flight to the west coast, I would expect that if you book a bit in advance they will be doing good deals at that time of year.

The nice thing about flying out of Shannon or Dublin is that you clear US immigrations in Ireland, this avoids big lines in a US airport when you arrive tired, believe me that is worth avoiding if you can.

See you guys in a few weeks I'm away on holidays tomorrow, to where the sun is shining. :D
 
The Las Vegas show is really a good show in my opinion. The show is sponsored by Picture Framing Magazine and the education offered has been extraordinary. I have shown at that event each year and I was pleased with the turn out and as far as vacations go, well it would depend on personal tastes. For me, they need to have a show in Hawaii. There is always a deal on rooms in Las Vegas and the food is practically free.

But whichever you choose, I hope you'll have a great business trip, (read that vacation)

Lois
 
Thank you all for your advice.

I would like to visit the Atlanta show but September is out for me.
So I have decided on the WCAF show in Las Vegas in January. If the dates work out I will also try to attend the PPFA convention.

I look forward to seeing some of you there.
 
Good decision George. That will be money well spent. I had planned to go to Atlanta 2001 but since it was cancelled I went to WCAF-show (http://www.wcafshow.com) last January.

+ excellent education. That's what I was looking for. I took 9 classes and there were still many intresting ones I would have liked to take.
+ all activities (incl.hotel if you want) under the same roof
+ not too bad little town to have "a tax deductible vacation"

minus sides:

- a little bit far (from where I live..but I don't mind travelling)
- trade show not that large

One more advantage. Euro has 10% more buying power now than 6 months ago.

You can seach the web for good deals on Hotels. I saved over $200 compared to the "official trade show price". Thanks to Hitchhikers.

You can e-mail me directly if you want to hear more boring stories of The Adventure.

Hannu
 
Create a Post
Back
Top