Conventional Wisdom
Move to New Venue Solves Space Issues, Creates Opportunities for Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show Attendees
(Las Vegas, NV - February 15, 2012) A successful trade show can't afford to rest on its laurels. The 2012 Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show saw record numbers across the board, and continued to build its reputation as the go-to show for innovative products.
To the folks at show producer Showproco, that can only mean one thing-it's time to shake things up for 2013.
"The Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show has seen the number of exhibitors and the number of attending buyers rise in recent years," says Stanley Schwartz, Show Director. "And we have done so in the face of a challenging economic environment. Rather than maintaining the status quo, we have launched ambitious new plans for 2013 and beyond."
The first order of business is a change in venue. Mandalay Bay has proved to be a good launching pad for the show. However, in order to accommodate a wider range of exhibitors and buyers, the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall makes more sense going forward. The Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show will open at the LVCC on Thursday, January 17 and run through Saturday, January 19, 2013.
"The Convention Center is more conducive to cooking demos," explains Hardy Katz, Show Director. "As the show has grown, there has been increasing interest on the part of grilling and food companies to show their stuff to our 5,000 to 7,000 buyers. Also, we know there are thousands of buyers out there who haven't attended the show because this category was under-represented. The new demo area should be a game-changer." Another big change will be the relocation of the Tailgate Show to the middle of the exhibit floor. The change was suggested by the Tailgating Industry Association (TIA), which sponsored several promotions in 2012-including the Industry Luncheon Panels, Free Dinner for Two, and Kevin Harrington's Pitch Tank. The new plan will ensure that buyers interact with Tailgating exhibitors again and again as they move around the show.
"Tailgating is becoming an increasingly important part of the big picture in this industry," says Mark Stewart, TIA Director. "More and more major retailers are asking their licensed buyers to shop this category. That's a step in the right direction. What we'd like to see is Tailgating become a buying category unto itself. That day may be coming sooner than anyone realizes."
The Las Vegas Convention Center is off the Strip, but is accessible easily and inexpensively from multiple hotels via the city's monorail system. Also, in 2013, the Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show will take place after CES closes, so good room rates and restaurant reservations should be a lot easier to get.
Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show
2915 Biscayne Blvd., Ste. 303 | Miami, FL 33137
Ph: 305-893-8771 | 800-327-3736 | Fax: 305-893-8783
Email: showproco@csmipi.com | Web: www.showproco.com
ShowProCo, LLC is lead by the experienced trade show staff of Communications and Show Management, Inc. (CSM), which has owned and produced industry trade shows for more than 35 years. Past shows include the Tennis Industry's National Buying Show and the Fitness Industry Buying Show. CSM also managed The Super Show, focused on sporting goods, for 21 years.