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April 23-25, 2013. We love the concept of a show titled “Affordable Meetings”; it seems to make the assumption that most meetings are UN-affordable. Actually the official show title is “HSMAI’s Mid-America MEET”, and it’s all about meetings, events, education and technology. Organized by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), the 2013 MEET Mid-America attracted 800 planning professionals from organizations of every size, plus 100 exhibitors representing hotels, resorts, inns, convention and visitors bureaus, technology suppliers, plus food and equipment providers. There were comprehensive educational programs, so that planners from novice to executive level could hone their skills and develop new ones with hands-on learning. Case studies and practical demonstrations got learners out of their seats and into real-life applications, giving them take-away tips, tools, and techniques for better meetings. Apparently it’s about “meeting” expectations…
April 22-25, 2013. The annual BIO International Convention claims to be the largest global event for the biotechnology industry anywhere. The convention attracts the big names in biotech, offers partnering opportunities and provides insights and inspiration on the major trends affecting the biotechnology industry. Policymakers, legislators, regulators and public officials all seem to concur that BIO International is the important venue to meet and exchange high-level dialogue with industry leaders, U.S. public policy officials, and representatives from more than 60 other countries. The convention offers a string of events designed to explore technology and policy solutions to global challenges, applying approaches that encourage innovation, investment and growth. The range of healthcare topics treated includes Recombinant DNA, Immunogenicity, Enrichment Strategies, and the latest FDA Draft Guidance on Electronic Source Data in Clinical Investigations. All the above was plainly generating “healthy” interest…
April 16-18, 2013. GlobalShop claims to be the world’s largest annual event for retail design and shopper marketing. It fancies itself “the only show in the world where you can find the largest, most comprehensive array of store fixture companies, and more in-store solutions than any live event in the nation”. On display were such retail-related products as architectural millwork, countertop fixturing, decorative props, design services, display fabrics, extrusions, fixtures, mannequins and forms, packaging, shelving, shopping bags and showcases. The GlobalShop show floor was conveniently divided into six sections of the retail design industry so visitors could find their particular specialty and learn about others. Among GlobalShop exhibitors were top manufacturers and suppliers of custom displays. Retail experts focused on the retail display fixtures market as a key item on the conference program. Overall, quite a display…!
March 2-5, 2013. IHA tells us it’s “the home authority”. The acronym stands for International Housewares Association. This body is the 75-year-old voice of the housewares industry, which accounted for over $300 billion US at retail worldwide in 2010. The not-for-profit, full-service association sponsors the world’s premier exposition of products for the home, and offers its 1,700 member companies a wide range of services. The International Home and Housewares Show is, we are told, the world’s premier housewares marketplace, featuring 2,100 exhibitors from 34 countries, and more than 20,000 buyers from over 100 markets around the world. The Inventors’ Corner Pavilion was anchored by 60 creative inventors and hot-off-the-press new products, a magnet for buyers and news media alike. The International Housewares Association partnered with the United Inventors Association (UIA) to attract a new wave of inventors to the show. What do you get when you cross an inventor with an inventory…?
January 21-23, 2013. ProMat is the premier showcase of material handling, supply chain and logistics businesses in North America. The show was designed to offer productivity solutions and information, showcasing the products and services of over 700 leading material handling and logistics providers. You would run into manufacturing, distribution and supply chain professionals from the United States, Canada, Mexico and over 110 countries around the world. Typically they would be looking for productivity, visibility and cost-cutting solutions for their manufacturing, distribution and warehousing operations. An extensive educational conference ran concurrently with the show, and included sessions on improving operational productivity in manufacturing, distribution and in the overall supply chain. So, could you “handle” all that…?
Dec. 4-6, 2012. Seed Expo is purportedly the largest seed industry trade show in the country. And it’s run by ASTA, the American Seed Trade Association. Membership consists of more than 700 companies involved in production and distribution, plant breeding and related industries. “From Alfalfa to Zucchini and all the agronomic crops in between, the American Seed Trade Association and their partner seed associations are charged with representing the interests and concerns of the seed industry, here at home and around the globe”……… we were reliably informed. “Wherever there is a need for perspective and experience involving seed, ASTA and your state and/or regional seed association are there”. Well, you plant a seed, and in due course…..
Dec. 19-22, 2012. Oh, you thought “clinic” meant something to do with healthcare? So what kind of medical procedure do you think I’m going to perform with this conductor’s baton? The Midwest Clinic bills itself as “an international band and orchestra conference”, and it’s about promoting music. Every music educator can point to “those critically influential teachers” who always went the extra mile on our behalf: mentors, wise and trusted counselors or teachers. And sure enough, along came Wynton Marsalis, described as the most outstanding jazz musician and trumpeter of his generation, as one of the world’s top classical trumpeters, and as a big band leader in the tradition of Duke Ellington. Leonard Slatkin conducted an open rehearsal and a special concert. Delegates soon realized they were there to “face the music…”
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