New venue a hit with JPMA show attendees

Orlando, Fla.— The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Assn.'s annual trade show got under way here at its new location at the Orange County Convention Center last month, and the move proved a hit with both retailers and manufacturers.

JPMA's preliminary numbers report 2,000 attendees, of which between 1,300 and 1,400 were buyers. The show hosted 447 exhibitors — 125 more than last year's show — including 180 first-time exhibitors.

First-time exhibitor Piet Hein Dankelman, director for Dutch-based gear manufacturer EasyWalker, was pleased with the show, which he said was busy. "We've had a great show," he said. "The response has been incredible."

The new open-air format proved a welcome change from the Dallas Apparel Mart, where the show had been held since 1981.

Danielle Signorelli, communications director at textile manufacturer Rashti & Rashti, said the open format allowed for more walk-in traffic than in Dallas, though setting up the temporary booth was a little more work.

Alex Adimari, vice president of sales and marketing for specialty stores at case goods and glider manufacturer Chanderic, said he saw more traffic and more business than at last year's show, and that the buyers who came bought. Adimari also liked the open-air format. "Here everybody gets a fair shot," he said.

After the maze of floors and wings at the Dallas Apparel Mart, buyers also overwhelmingly gave positive comments to the new format's easy-to-walk open aisles.

Karol Radmard, owner of Charlotte, N.C.-based retailer Baby Furniture and Kids Rooms Too, made the trip to Orlando at the last minute. "I was pleasantly surprised," said Radmard, who reported she found new vendors at the show. Radmard said she would not have gone to the show had it been held in Dallas, and that the move to Orlando was a good one for JPMA.

The Orlando location also proved popular for after-hours activities, when manufacturers took advantage of the city's myriad of entertainment options to host a slew of industry parties (see photos, page 26).

JPMA hosted its all-industry party at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, with proceeds going to Kids in Distressed Situations. By all accounts it was a huge success, with between 1,200 and 1,300 people attending the party, which featured a dinner buffet, belly dancers, gaming fun at the Sinbad Village Games, a DJ and access to The Flying Unicorn and Dueling Dragons rides, as well as shows every 30 minutes at Poseidon's Fury.

Energetic dancing went on until the party ended at 10:30, when hired buses took attendees back to their cars or hotels in time for a good night's sleep before the final day of the show.