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May 3-5, 2013. Let the Washington Post describe the show: “The National Rifle Association’s convention bristled with combative and triumphant rhetoric, having achieved a major victory in 2013: defeating the White House-backed package of gun-control legislation. The gun-rights group seems stronger than ever, with tens of thousands of enthusiastic participants, record high membership and effusive approval for the path taken by the its leader, Wayne LaPierre. Beneath the surface, however, some NRA allies are uneasy, saying that the organization is facing challenges on a scale it has not faced before. These include changing demographics and patterns of gun ownership; a new willingness of gun-state lawmakers to buck the NRA; and the rise of an organized and well-funded gun-control movement”. There is a “debate over whether the NRA made a mistake by pugnaciously opposing all of this year’s major gun-control proposals — including background checks for gun purchases”. Jumping the gun, perhaps…?
February 22-24, 2013. NAHBS stands for the North American Handmade Bicycle Show. Need to know how and why the handmade tag needs to be on the next bike you buy? You needed to be at the discussion on “the principles of TIG welding bicycle frames in steel, aluminum and titanium with an emphasis on equipment customization and set up”. It turns out that, just as a custom bicycle dramatically improves performance for an athlete, so does custom welding equipment and tooling for the bicycle fabricator. Yeah, but what will my bike look like? There was a session on the various forms of decals, and which would work best for a particular application. This seminar was for bike builders and painters, and discussed the possibilities and pitfalls of branding bicycle frames. Wet paint and powdercoating were compared from a graphic standpoint. Hey, help me out here, the dang decal is stuck to my arm…
January 25-26, 2013. The 60th PGA Merchandise Show played host to the biggest week of golf business, with over 1,100 interactive exhibits from leading golf companies and brands, more than 41,000 of the most important people in golf, and representation from all 50 U.S. states and 74 other countries. The PGA Merchandise Show is organized by PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions in partnership with The PGA of America, experts in the Game and Business of Golf. The Show serves as a global platform for PGA Professionals, industry leaders, top manufacturers, and golf organizations aiming to grow the business, participation and interest in golf. Vendors representing every business sector of golf were there, from market leaders to start-up companies. Golf industry leaders addressed key issues. There were education seminars and opportunities to share relevant best practice. And for those wanting a foot on the green, new golf employment initiatives were launched. You got the job? Hole in one!
January 3-6, 2013. The New York Boat Show bills itself as being “Progressive”. And why wouldn’t it be? (Except that in this case Progressive is the name of the insurance company that sponsors the whole jamboree). The organization behind the show is the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), which claims pre-eminence as the world’s largest producer of boat shows. NMMA is the association that represents the $39.5 billion-per-year recreational boating industry. Member companies produce over 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers in the U.S.A. The Boat Show is a once-a-year opportunity to compare makes and models, secure insurance and financing, and gear up with the latest accessories. And yes, there was quite a lot of ‘showboating’ going on…
Nov. 14-17, 2012. DEMA is the Divers Equipment & Marketing Association. Manufacturers, exhibitors and experts were on hand for new product demonstrations and to allow attendees to test out the latest diving and scuba product innovations. The IRC, or Image Resource Center, featured seminars on all aspects of underwater photography and videography and how diving course providers can use them to get potential customers involved with diving — and keep them active once they get themselves certified. Some interesting facts came to the surface at the show. For instance, sinking retired vessels and turning them into man-made reefs is apparently a proven way to increase diver acquisition and retention in the US and internationally. Kind of gives you a sinking feeling, though…
Vegas is going to the dogs, we heard. (And cats. And horses, and lizards and parrots). Actually this show’s bark was exactly as big as its bite. SuperZoo is paraded as “the Pet Industry’s Hot Spot”, and experienced pros visit the expo as the right kennel, cat-basket or birdcage for the pet business. The pet industry appears to be almost recession-proof, with many pet owners forgoing luxuries to provide for their furry friends, to the tune of $50 billion a year. Hosting top suppliers, thousands of pet retailers and comprehensive educational opportunities, SuperZoo had everything lovers of animal-lovers need to sell more, profit more, and succeed bigger. More than 850 exhibitors brought stuff to sell: leashes, pooper scoopers, aquariums, food, hay, beds, toys, clothing… Clothing? For pets? Well hey, this is “party animals” we’re talking about…
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Say Hello to Corbin Maxey’s Little Friend
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Birds on Display
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They plump when they walk
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Groomer Contest
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I came to Vegas and all I got was Groomed
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Tye Dyed Poodle
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Walking Super Zoo tires me out
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Super Chicken booth Bunz
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Day of the Dead Doggie biscuits
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Tanked Cake
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Dinner with Andrew Zimmer.
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Baseball’s Steve Garvey signing autographs
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