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Despite Lower Attendance, Mood Positive at ABC Spring Conference

Jane Kitchen -- Kids Today, 7/1/2011 4:08:19 AM

Attendees at the ABC Spring Conference enjoyed networking opportunities and armadillo racing at an evening reception at Billy Bob’s.Fort Worth, Texas - The ABC Spring Conference and Trade Show got under way here last month amid chilly weather but optimistic energy. And while manufacturers outnumbered retailers almost 2 to 1, many said the retailers who did come were writing orders, and the networking opportunities made the trip well worth it.
     "It's been good," said Kevin Walker, president of Creations. "We've been pleasantly surprised; there are more customers here than I expected. People are in very good moods and having a good time."
     Total conference attendance was 739, down approximately 11%, with retailer attendance at 252, down about 18%.
     "Despite lower attendance than anticipated, we found that most exhibitors wrote a considerable amount of business at the show and all conference attendees loved the two networking events as well as educational programming," said Larry Schur, executive director of ABC.
ABC Spring Conference Kevin Walker, Creations; Doug Tritton, StorkLand; Ken Goore, Goore’s     The spring show began on May 2 with a networking event featuring cocktails and what everyone agreed were some of the best hors d'oeuvres at a function of its kind at Reata Restaurant.
     The conference portion of the show got started the next morning, with speakers and panels discussing the C.P.S.I.A., social marketing, the emerging category of cloth diapers, marketing on a budget and more. A series of open discussions for retailers helped independents share ideas for surviving in an ever more competitive world. And keynote speaker Richard Turner entertained the audience over lunch with inspirational stories and amazing card tricks.
     Then began the trade show portion of the event, which lasted from 2:30 until 7 p.m. on May 3, followed by an evening reception at Billy Bob's, which included Texas barbeque, armadillo racing and bull riding. The trade show continued the next day from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
ABC Spring Conference Beth Jarabek, Baby Furniture Plus Association; Kelly Mariotti, Green Frog Art     Schur said that he received numerous comments from both retailers and manufacturers that they found the educational sessions to be extremely worthwhile and obtained quite a few takeaways that they could immediately put to use.
     Retailer Doug Tritton of Wichita Falls, Texas-based StorkLand called the show "great."
     "We're finding new product, and we're writing orders," he said.
     Manufacturers - especially those who either introduced new product or offered show specials - found the retailers who attended to be serious buyers.
     "People seem positive, which is nice," said Alan Wolkin, president of juvenile mattress manufacturer Colgate. "Nobody's complaining. We're going to be where the buyers are, so we're here for them. We're offering show specials as a way to say ‘thank you' for coming by the booth." ABC Spring Conference Larry Muller, Baby’s 1st Furniture; Larry Schur, ABC
     Joanna Apothéloz, vice president of sales at Uppa Baby, said the company had a very good show, writing orders on both their existing product and their colorful new Cruz stroller.
    Bengt Lager, president of distributor Regal + Lager, was pleased with the customers he saw.
     "The people who we talk to, it's good - we just wish there were more people," he said. "But we have more quality time here with the buyers than at the big ABC."
     The ABC Spring Conference and Trade Show will move west next year, said Schur, in a still-to-be-determined location.

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