TRADE SHOW LIFE: October 2015

Monday, October 26, 2015

Travellers Welcome

The welcoming ladies at #inAbuDhabi booth at IMEX America.

Welcome to the IMEX America, America's worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events, known as the pulse of the #MeetingIndustry. Takes place annually in October at Sands Expo in Las Vegas. This event features the largest Hosted Buyer Program in North America and attracts thousands of buyers and exhibitors from the U.S. and around the world. The energy at IMEX America is everywhere, connecting everyone with key players, generating innovative ideas and driving business with the force of global opportunities.

Of course the Las Vegas hotels had to represent.
Here are a few of the Cirque du Soleil cast members.
Hotels from Wynn, Westgate, Hilton, Marriott, Trump,
Venetian, Palazzo were all represented.

TCEB booth. Business. Established by Royal Decree in 2002, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (also known as TCEB) is a public organization tasked with promoting and developing business events in Thailand. Since 2004, TCEB has worked toward establishing Thailand as Asia's premier business events destination, by providing flexible, service-oriented support to meeting-goers, incentives winners, convention attendees and exhibition participants.

Live Sumo performance, Sake and Snacks at the
Japan National Tourism Organisation.

‘England’ pavilion at Visit England in IMEX America.
Yes, those are real people in grass costumes...

This year's IMEX America was not short of large exhibits of the biggest hotel chains in the world like Hilton, Ritz-Carlton, Marriott, Caesar's Entertainment and Hyatt just to name a few. As a first timer to IMEX America, I was quite surprised of how large and global this show was. I would suggest anyone in the events or meeting planning business to attend this trade show once a year. Not to mention how much these exhibitors love to entertain and have a good time. Lots of open bar and events every day. Check out the events line up for the week: IMEX America Events.

I had the chance to interview 3 new 1st-timers to IMEX.

Seniors studying Hospitality from Endicott College of

Boston, MA.

That's all for now. I hope you enjoy & please subscribe to my blog!

If you ever need assistance with your trade show planning,

please message me!

Cheers,

Written by: Li Jackson

Photography/Videographer: TerenceJackson

Monday, October 12, 2015

All About the Ingredients

Just a few of the samples and giveaways I collected from
Supply Side West (SSW) trade show at Mandalay Bay
Convention Center last week.

Supply Side West brings together suppliers and buyers that drive the dietary supplement, food, beverage, animal nutrition, personal care & cosmetic. If you ever thought about starting a consumer product business, this is one of the most important shows that you should attend. Great place to learn about new ingredients and meet manufacturers. Pick up lots of brochures, taste ingredients and mixes and take samples with you.

There were so many companies to choose from, and if this is your first time attending, I would definitely suggest looking at the exhibitors directory and circling the ones that you need to see. Make sure to see 1 or 2 of their competitors as well. Work your way from left to right, aisle by aisle, and if you see something that's interesting, stop and grab a brochure or sample. Here are a few of my favorites at SSW:

Farbest Brands is a premier distributor of food & nutrition
ingredients sourced from the world's most trusted suppliers.
They had the best Mango fiber smoothie I have ever had. No lie, it was so good!

Ingredientsonline.com is the first Global Factory Marketplace for nutritional raw materials and other fine ingredients, connecting customers directly with world-class manufacturers through a unique online platform that delivers factory prices, U.S. stock, guaranteed quality control and best-in-class customer service and delivery. I had a chance to demo this system, and it is truly "user friendly".

Silver Sol Technology is a multi-patented
skin product tested by certified independent
laboratories. Check their website for online
orders.

These are 2 samples that I was able to take home, and so far
so great. The smaller tube is a gel comparable to or better
than Neosporin. The Skin Cream is a great moisturizing lotion, that is non-greasy and feels very light on your skin.

With Paul Willis, CEO of Cypress Solutions at
their #Movember photo booth theme, a
Men'sHealth Awareness movement.

I thought this was a wonderful theme. They did a
great job bringing awareness to Movember Foundation
and raising money for the cause.

Interview with Paul Willis, CEO of Cypress Solutions,

"At Cypress we make selenium, but not just any selenium. Our natural food form of organically bound selenium is trademarked SelenoExcell and is standardized to “Gold Standard” clinical research with the National Cancer Institute. We are committed to providing the highest quality product possible in order to with-stand the rigors of numerous double-blinded clinical studies. SelenoExcell is supported by a Clinical Trial Agreement with the Division of Cancer Prevention at NCI. No other product on the market can make these claims."

That's all for now. Please subscribe and come back and visit.
If you ever need assistance with your trade show planning, please message me.

Cheers,
Li

Friday, October 9, 2015

The Gaming Business

Promotional models at G2E "Global Gaming Expo"
Las Vegas Oct 2015 at the Sands Expo.

Do you ever wonder who makes those slot machines, poker tables, chips, roulette machines, bingo games and such? Well, once a year at G2E in Vegas, it's where you can find all the makers and manufacturers of those machines that you see at every casino across the country, and globally. Some of the biggest companies exhibiting at G2E were Konami, Scientific Games, Ortiz Gaming and IGT.

Front of the Konami exhibit at G2E. As leading innovators of slot machines and gaming enterprise management systems for the global gaming market, Konami Gaming, Inc. and Konami Australia Pty Ltd have been creating big waves in the gaming industry.

Front and left size of Ortiz Gaming exhibit. This was so big and long, I couldn't
take all of it. Ortiz Gaming is a leading multinational company in the gaming industry. They provide the finest gaming products on the market, and deliver multi-platform games through Social and Mobile platforms, always bringing innovation and new experiences for players.

IGT enables players to experience their favorite games across all channels and regulated segments, from Gaming Machines and Lotteries to Interactive and Social Gaming. Leveraging a wealth of premium content, substantial investment in innovation, in-depth customer intelligence, operational expertise, and leading-edge technology, their gaming solutions anticipate the demands of consumers wherever they decide to play.

Scientific Games is a leading innovator in the global lottery and regulated gaming industries. Beginning with the breakthrough technology that launched the world’s very first secure instant lottery game in 1974, the company has continued to advance the games, technology, programs, marketing research and security that have been a driving force behind the success of more than 300 customers on six continents over the last 40 years.

Our highlight on a New Exhibitor is with Pat, VP of Business Development for

Charge It Spot An uncharged cell phone is everyone's worst nightmare -- the battery drain and impending dead cell phone preoccupies our minds until we can find the almighty charge. A dead or dying cell phone is a modern day distraction universal to us all, hence the creation of ChargeItSpot charging stations for cell phones.

More Promotional Models for Bally Tech and Aristocrat.

Best giveaway, chocolate of course, goes to Novomatic a leading international group that has
grown from its base in Austria .... As a gaming group we bear a
high social and sociopolitical responsibility ...

Novomatic promo models.

Bally Tech and Aristocrat promo models.

Just a few snapshots of a Game of Thrones photo booth opp and the food & beverage section sponsored by Southern Wine & Spirits of Las Vegas:

Game of Thrones photo booth at Bally Tech.

Cigar Distributor.

Indie Food Spirits & Wine.

National food group.

Fine Wines & Cocktails sponsored by
Southern Wine & Spirits.

Two Rivers tasting sponsored by Southern Wine
& Spirits.

That's all for now. I hope you come back and subscribe to my blog.
If you ever need assistance with your trade show planning, please message me!

Cheers,
Li

Monday, October 5, 2015

We All Need a Little Security

Definitely not something you want to see at the
post office.

Welcome to the 61st ASIS International Annual Seminar and Exhibits in Anaheim California. This jam-packed four day program offers a year’s worth of education and information sharing, as well as access to the latest security products and service solutions.

If you're not into that stuff, it could be pretty boring to you. However, there were plenty of fun things to see in the world of security. If you remember Tom Cruise's movie "Minority Report", it's definitely around the corner. Like it or not, they're watching you... From surveillance cameras to weapon training to drones and more, ASIS had it all.

Sony Security had a toy train track display surrounded
with their cameras. Above the display were the
TV screens showing how strong their cameras
were. The train looked life size on the screen.

Garrett is a worldwide leader in metal technology.
Here they showed a 19 piece training set for police.
Calling it pat-down props.

Ikegami Electronics is a leader in the broadcast equipment technology
world. Here they are showing one of their new toys.
A drone maybe? Click on their link to see what they're up to.

Here is the train demo at the Sony Electronics Security booth.

Not a great shooter. I need a lot more training. Here, I'm

doing police security training simulation

at Off Duty Services. Private security services offering

armed off duty active officers.

That's all for now. I hope you enjoyed.

If you need assistance with your trade show planning, please message me!

Cheers,

Sunday, October 4, 2015

The Most Fashionable Eyes in the World


Just a welcoming billboard from GUESS going up the escalator to the exhibit hall at the Vision Expo West 2015 - Sands Expo, Las Vegas NV.

The vision industry holds their trade shows twice a year, during March in Vegas, and September in New York. Just like the MAGIC apparel shows in February and August, the Vision Expo is all about style. I love this show because I wear glasses sometimes, and I have a great time seeing all the new cool frames and sunnies at least 6 months before they hit the shelves.

Companies like Luxottica, Marchon Eyewear and Safilo Brands basically have the biggest presence on the show floor.

Luxottica controls 80% of the world's major eyewear brands and licensing to some of the biggest high fashion brand names in the world like Burberry, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Michael Kors, Miu Miu and Ray Bans just to name a few.

Safilo, a competitor to Luxottica, owns the
licensing to Dior, Fendi, Gucci, Jimmy Choo,
Marc Jacobs and many more successful
brands.

Safilo at Vision Expo West at the Sands Expo.

Love the images on the Marchon exhibit.

Marchon Eyewear owns licensing to 22 brands such as
Calvin Klein, Chloe, Karl Lagerfeld, Lacoste, Salvatore
Ferragamo and Valentino.

Marchon Eyewear is looking for someone
to star in their 2016 Corporate Ad Campaign!

Found this fashionable Doctor
who loves fashion. She believes that
her frames speak to her personality
I concur!

At the top of the escalators before you go into the exhibit halls, there was a line of display cases that I thought was so creative. Each had its own theme and featured some of the coolest frames. I wish I could have them all!! Here are some of my favorites:

This display was a black & white paper theme,
including its very own matching fan. Very clean
and Asian feel.

This case was a wood theme to hightlight
the wooden frames. Glasses for men and women.

Love this masquerade theme
case. Perfect way to display
the most stylish reading
glasses.

Not sure about this display,
but I think it was to display
vintage reading glasses.
Matches the vintage typewriter.

This was a simple display case.
Fun frames available in all colors.
The iPad at the center shows you
the variety of frames they have to offer.
Simple and to the point.

Here is my favorite part. I love meeting entrepreneurs, especially from Shark Tank! I had the chance to interview them at Vision Expo. Check out their pics and videos!