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!

Awesome wooden frames, made in the USA.
Bought me a sample pair for $50. Love those
deals!

With Ian, CEO of Specs of Wood

Frameri based in OH from Shark Tank!

Rick, CEO of ReadeRest featured on Shark Tank

Interview with Ian, CEO of Specs of Wood at Vision Expo 2015.

Interview with CEO of ReadeRest at Vision Expo 2015.

Featured on Shark Tank.

Interview w/Conrad, CEO/Founder of Frameri.

Featured Shark Tank Entrepreneur, did not accept the

offer!

That's all for now.  I hope you enjoyed.
If you need assistance with your trade show planning, please message me!

Cheers,
Li

Written by: Li Jackson

Photography/Videographer:  TerenceJackson

Enter the World of Cyclers

These Kramp Krusher electrolyte

chewz are supposed to stop you

from biking cramps. It tastes pretty good!

September is a month full of trade shows. If you haven't heard by now, there is a trade show for everything.  Last week I attended Interbike 2015 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.  Yes, that's right, it's a trade show for bicycle wholesalers and retailers.  I had a great time seeing all the new products.  The best part about my job is that I get to see all the new things at least 1 season ahead of the public, sometimes 6-9 months in advance.  Most companies will launch their new products at these trade shows.

Here is a video of some of the featured innovative items at Innovation Alley sponsored by Rumble Ship - a B2B solution for bicycle brands and manufacturers to sell directly to retailers:

Everything from bicycle apparel to energy food, cramp fighters, technology and latest & greatest bicycle parts can be found at Interbike. Here are some highlights:

GoPro with a large presence displaying the latest
and greatest action cam.

Sony can't be beat. Coming in to compete in
GoPro's space of action cams. 

Leatt bike gear looking for REPS!!! Company
is based in South Africa w/distribution in Santa
Clarita, CA.

Clif Bar had a neat way of sampling their new products. All you need was a little mini teaspoon full.  Known for making Organic & Sustainable foods, although I wasn't too crazy about the "Pizza" flavored one, but I did like the Banana Mango one.

      

Purple is my favorite color, and I love me some gold!  Hey why not pimp my bike right?

GU Bars - Hydration Energy
Recovery Bars & much more...

I thought this was pretty cool to see.  Foldable bikes! It can
even fit in most airlines carry on compartment.  How cool
is this??? Made by Dahon .

How would you like 1 of these? You have to click on
the video link! Introducing the Pedalist Cycles.
Supposedly the best thing since slice bread for
city living. Maybe?

You can now carry your bike anywhere on any
car, any time. This is an awesome product!
Check out the Sea Sucker. Very reasonable
prices around $175 and up.

             
Meet John from the Downtown Fernand Bike Shop and Downtown Detroit Bike Shop.  A veteran attendee at Interbike:

Lastly, I was glad that I ran into this special lady, Kelley Guidry. She is Co-Founder of "Forgotten Not Gone", along with her husband Peter Guidry, a non-profit organization to help Veterans from the destruction of suicide.  I had the chance to speak to Kelley at the booth that was donated by Interbike. For more information or to donate, please go to Forgotten Not Gone :

That's all for now.  If you need assistance with your trade show planning, please message me.

Cheers,

Li

Wearable Technology

What's a trade show without booth babes right?
Remember Tracfone?  This booth was a party
all day every day of the show.

Wearable technology, wearables, fashionable technology, wearable devices, tech togs, or fashion electronics are clothing and accessories incorporating computer and advanced electronic technologies. The designs often incorporate practical functions and features, but may also have a purely critical or aesthetic agenda. Source: Wikipedia.

I recently attended CTIA Supermobility trade show at Sands Expo last week, Americas’ largest and most influential forum focused specifically on mobile innovation in all its disruptive glory.  The usual suspects such as Samsung, AT&T, Verizon to Ericsson, Tracfone, Otterbox and more exhibited. 

Samsung made a statement with a humongous exhibit, boasting at least 10,000sqft of  space right between AT&T
and Verizon. The exhibit was full of audio visual and lots and lots of fun product.  From phones, to watches to headphones and oh so much more.

AT&T also had a large exhibit and created an experiential environment
that showed how immersed they are in our every day life.  From your bedroom,
to your bathroom, entertainment, work out, office, school and in your car.
The best part about their booth was the virtual car that gives you different scenarios
of how you can get killed if you text while you're driving.  Nice.
The question is, when can we UNPLUG???

Well, Verizon sure can't be beaten.  They featured the Electric
Car powered by Verizon and still claim to have the best coverage
in the country. Believe that?

Keynote speakers included the likes of Wikipedia Founder, Jimmy Wales, AT&T Mobility President & Founder, Glenn Lurie and Under Armour's Chief Digital Officer, Robin Thurston to name a few.

The best part about the show was the "Wearables" section.  It's obvious that Smart clothing is where it's at!  Gartner says the internet of things installed base will grow from almost nothing in 2014 to 10 Million shipments this year then projected for 26 Million by 2020 which equals to about $300 Billion in revenue. How crazy is that???  

The highlight for me would be meeting Kelley Weaver, CEO & Founder of PURSECASE who was featured on Shark Tank!  I have the utmost respect for fellow Entrepreneurs who have started a brand from scratch and created something out of nothing. I've done it and I know the road is not easy. I wish her all the best and I look forward to meeting her again.  

PURSECASE staff at work!

Congratulations to Kelley and her company on the success.

Other interesting things in the Wearables section:

CASECO - Bluetooth Beanie. Speakers easily
come out for ease of wash.

Founder and CASECO staff. 

BEELINE - phone case that retracts.  Never
lose your phone again.

Armband phone holder. Great for workouts and anything else.

Fashion cases for every lifestyle, 1 to match every outfit.
Thanks to EMPIRE CASES where "Fashion Meets Technology".

That's all for now.  If you need help with your tradeshow planning, message me!

Cheers,

Li

Written by: Li Jackson

Photography/Videographer:  Terence Barclay

The Biggest Fashion Industry Trade Show in the Country

With Sandhya Garg from Project Runway

The 3rd week of August in Vegas is always an exciting time for me.  I love this time of year, because the biggest brands in the fashion industry come to Vegas and exhibit the new lines for the upcoming season.  This August would be my 13th year in the industry.  I've experienced many MAGICs, and I've seen many changes in the industry, but luckily I still love it.  Everyone from BCBG to Free People to Ben Sherman, Diesel, Penguin, FCUK, Jessica Simpson, Vince Camuto, Perry Ellis and so many more come to WWDMAGIC, MAGIC, PROJECT and Market for 3 days of fashion business. Aside from these big corporate brands, you also have the emerging designers, start ups, boutique and lifestyle brands that show at ENK, Pool, Capsule, and the likes of New Era, Reebok, Puma and Dickies at Agenda.  With these brands, come boutique owners, chains and corporate buyers such as Nordstrom, Macy's, JC Penneys, Dillards and more.

A few pics from the show:

     

With Attendees and Amanda of
House of Perna from Project Runway

WWDMAGIC's 20YRS Anniversary party
at Marquee Cosmopolitan. 1 of many
many parties during the week.

Awesome Shoe Display.

Jim Jones promoting his Vamp Life clothing line at Agenda.

Puma booth.

Juliexy with a new brand from Japan.

Just another giveaway.

Fossil booth at PROJECT.

True Religion booth at PROJECT.

Hudson Jeans & Campbell Soup display.

High End Men's Personal Accessories. Retails at $200+ each

1 of the many photo shoots taking place at PROJECT

I had a chance to interview a few people from the show. These are authorized raw and unedited videos.  I think it's good for people to hear both the good and bad sides.  Business is not always pretty.  As an Entrepreneur and Business Woman myself, it's very helpful to hear from fellow industry folks.  I hope you enjoy it!




SHOP THE FLOOR - great concept for Designers and Buyers.  Plus, they gave away a bag of awesome samples from Jane Cosmetics!


Online Boutique Owner - Dana Yvette of DanaYvette.com 

First Time Attendee - Artist and Model Juliexy!!

3rd Time Exhibitor - International Designer at Pool 2015.  I love her pieces!!! Want them all!

This was pretty cool to see at PROJECT 2015.  Hudson Jeans & Campbell Soup collaboration.

That's it for now.  If you need assistance with your tradeshow planning, send me a message. Until next time!
Cheers,
Li

Written by: Li Jackson

Photography/Videographer:  TerenceJackson