What Trade Shows do you attend?

[Robinrs]

I really used to hate them, but since I got into cable I decided to DO the NCTA, National Cable and Technology Assoc, and it was sooo much fun! Our little booth which cost a MINT was just so overshadowed by the big guns... DISNEY CHANNEL turned OUT as I expected! We were right behind NBC/Universal and Bravo, we looked like an ant on the side of a skyscraper!! We had to look at 7 foot posters of the Queer Eye guys and Project Runway all day!

The nicest booths were Fox Sports, a sports bar theme, Lifetime, a beautiful lounge, and TVOne who had the best food of the day with their chefs! Universal took pics of us with a huge King Kong Statue, that was a hoot! The best part were the goodies, which were plentiful and GREAT, we hardly had room in the car to take them back.

My boss just got back from the NAB in Las Vegas, he was a bit disappointed because there were NO free goodies, but lots of ones you pay for!

What kinds have you attended?

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I've attended the Futures Industry Association Expo in Chicago. Lots of freebies (love those pens). Unfortunately they keep moving it. This year is the week of my WDW vacation. Mine doesn't sound as cool as yours but what can I say - I'm a geek!!

 

[binny]

we do the Luxury Travel Expo in Vegas, usually the trade show in Seattle and hopefully next a couple of Seminars at Seas.


I like my job

 

[Jennasmomma]

Um I went to a Rubberstamp Expo last July...does that count? lol

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Um I went to a Rubberstamp Expo last July...does that count? lol

Where's that one? That sounds like fun!

 

[Robinrs]

Um I went to a Rubberstamp Expo last July...does that count? lol

LOL! If you work in that industry I guess it does! It DOES sound like fun, though, the creative side of me is very into that!

 

[tinatark]

We go to IAAPA - it's for amusement parks - awesome - we spend a day *shopping* then a day letting the kids do all the fun stuff - rides, food, etc. It is usually in Atlanta or Orlando - I think it's Atlanta this year, the week before Thanksgiving.

 

[noodles]

Not me but DH goes to PRI or Performance Racing Industry. The best part about this show is that it used to be in Indy and last year they moved it to Orlando for a few years. We added 10 days onto the end of the show for our vacation last year and we are adding 12 days this year!! DH has to be there for work so it just makes sense that we add our vacation onto the end of it!!

PRI is a racing industry show. Lots of exihbits on racing technology, seat belts, helmets, and the latest advances to help us go faster!! DH says its one of the largest trade shows in the country.

 

[barbeml]

None now, but when my Dad was president of the NJ Food Council, I attended the Food Marketing Institute show in Chicago and a local show in NJ. I came home from Chicago with two duffels filled with edible freebies. Got to take pictures with the Pillsbury Doughboy, Elsie the Cow, Bart Simpson (Butterfinger BBs), Morris the Cat. We didn't need lunch...we just sampled our way through the show. I remember Coke had a huge soda fountain set up, and they were re-introducing Fresca, which I had not had in years. Kraft had a sampling cafe, Hershey's had a giant Kiss walking around with bags of samples. It was sooooo awesome.

At the local show we got a trunk full...they were begging us to take more samples. The Entenmann's guy gave us giant sacks to load up with full-size products.

 

[Jennasmomma]

The RubberStamp Expo....I went as a customer and bought all kinds of rubber stamps and scrapbooking stuff lol. Its held annually in Pittsburgh. Its usually the beginning of July.

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

My first "real job" out of college was writing for a toy trade magazine. Every year we went to Toy Fair. It was always right around Valentine's Day. It was a huge show -- held in the toy building and at Javits Center in NYC. You might get some small freebies -- or some autographs of celebrities if you were lucky. There were also some great after parties everynight.

One year we traveled to the Electonics Show held in Chicago. It was a cool show -- but no great freebies.

Now I go to the Fancy Food Show in NYC. DH is in the restaurant business so we go to see what's new. You can eat your way through the show. There is so much stuff to see and try. You literally leave stuffed. I've learned not to over do it. I carry a brief case and put any samples that are wrapped into it. Jelly Belly always has a great display. D'artanan has a display of their high end meats/poultry. The cool things though are the mom and pop businesses who are there with their products.

 

[PaulaSue]

Dh goes to SEMA (car/tires show) in Vegas every year for work. Not many neat freebies but a lot of famous people he has met over the years and REALLY nice parties.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Various Pro Video and DJ trade shows. Next one is in August in Atlantic City.... The DJ Times 2006 Expo.

 

[ChristmasElf]

The Restaurant Convention that is held in Orlando each year,
The Franchise Show
Southern Womens Show
Home Show that is usually in March every year
All the Buckler craft shows that are in Florida
the Fluid Power Conference which is held in different cities each year
last year was in Marco Island this year was in Maui! boring but fun when the meetings are over!!

 

[crazyme5kids]

I love The Fancy Food Show at the Javits Center. This will be the 2nd year I'm not going though. My husband goes to the Performance Magazine one, but not every year. Once in a while he is on a panel of speakers. I think he went to the Billboard Magazine one a couple of times.

 

[Shelby5514]

Dh goes to SEMA (car/tires show) in Vegas every year for work. Not many neat freebies but a lot of famous people he has met over the years and REALLY nice parties.

My DH would be SOOOO jealous. He would KILL to be at SEMA. Actually, I wouldn't mind going either. Some of those cars are awesome! His cousin has connections and is going this year. DH is still trying to figure out a way to get in.

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

Anyone ever been to any of the International Pizza Expos? Those are mine! I work for the magazine that puts those shows on. You've never seen so much pizza in your life -- it is honestly the BEST time. The big show is in Vegas every year, with a satellite show usually in one or two other cities (Atlantic City this year).

 

[crazyme5kids]

oh I would love the Pizza expo! Is it open to the public? What are the dates for AC?

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

oh I would love the Pizza expo! Is it open to the public? What are the dates for AC?

Sept. 13-14, 2006. All you have to do is register to attend (not sure how much -- under $150 for both days sounds about right?) and say you're a prospective restaurateur. We have the World Pizza Champions (just brought back gold from Salsamaggiore, Italy) who do dough acrobats, a show floor of exhibits (and seminars for pizzeria owners).

I actually work for the magazine, not the show, so I don't know much about the logistics of it other than I show up and smile and represent the editorial part of the magazine.

 

[Robinrs]

Man, give me that Pizza Expo, too!! Yummeee!!!

tinatark, that amusement park trade show is in Atlanta? I'd love to go to that one!

They all sound like fun!