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April 7-11, 2013. ARDA stands for the American Resort Development Association, and its big focus seems to be timeshare. This is the trade association representing the vacation ownership and resort development industries (i.e. timeshares in ordinary parlance). ARDA has almost 1,000 corporate members ranging from privately held firms to publicly traded corporations with extensive experience in shared ownership interests in leisure real estate. The membership also includes timeshare owner associations (HOAs), resort management companies, industry vendors, suppliers, and consultants; as well as owners, through the ARDA Resort Owners Coalition. The ARDA International Foundation (AIF) offers professional and educational development through publications covering the industry’s ethical, legal, regulatory, and operational intricacies; study courses; and tests that assess industry knowledge. Market intelligence recognizes no “black dates”, apparently…
February 28 – March 2, 2013. These people have a lot of, well… baggage. If you want to reach traveling consumers you’ve got to get your product in front of travel goods retailers, and The Travel Goods Show, we were told, is where that happens. Attendee lists included big retailers like Macy’s and Costco, as well as small, independent travel goods retailers. The new product pavilion was where manufacturers could grab the spotlight for new items, and get the attention of retailers and the press. Samsonite rubbed shoulders with Heys USA, boutique brands such as GUESS Travel and Hartmann, and out-doorsy crossover brands like High Sierra and Thule — hey, mind out who you’re hitting with that oversized backpack rig, bud! Now, if only someone could come up with a suitcase that would find ITSELF in an airport baggage reclaim area….!
January 18-20, 2013. This was the New York Times’ tenth anniversary of hosting the Travel Show, and quite an international celebration it turned out to be. Five cultural stages (for Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean and Global (i.e. rest-of-the-world) featured live performances and culinary presentations from exotic locations everywhere. “Global” turned out to include America’s Everglades National Park and Universal Orlando Resort where, we were reliably informed, you can “Be Courageous, Be Outrageous, and Be Extraordinary”. Industry professionals milled around along with the general public, to a get closer look at domestic and international hot spots, familiar favorites, and esoteric under-the-radar escape destinations that are still relatively crowd-free. Pyongyang, anyone?
In continuing the trend from 2010 forward, G2E – the annual event that is every thing gambling was earlier this month, held at the Sands Convention Center. So many blinging lights – so little time. But if ever there was an industry that is better off in 2012 than in 2008 – it’s the gaming industry. There was a great social media seminar and always get good takeaway information. Thanks to Masterminds for sponsoring the tweet up.
Our biggest take-away was the implementation of hand held devices in the casino experience. Sports books are the 1st to take on online gaming but in the next 3-5 years (or sooner) slot machines will be replaced by the nextGen ipad (or tablet equivalent)
WMS gaming introduced a number of new pop culture centered slot machines including the KISS brand lead by the Demon & StarChild, Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley (who looked amazingly good for having lost his mom 2 days before the ribbon cutting, may she RIP) Kiss nation was out in force or at least hired models dressed as KISS were.
Automatic bingo is the next big floor game. No longer requiring a huge room with blue hair’d grammas hoping to hit it big on the 16 card sheets in front of them, an electronic version will be rolled out to casino floors very soon. Where will they put all the trolls & charms.
Hopefully once the G2E contract is up, they will move out of the Sands and into either Mandalay or Caesars which is much more trade show friendly.
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Kiss front men: Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley cut the ribbon for G2E
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Playing the new Kiss Machines
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Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley at the WMS Kiss booth
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Bingo: It’s not just for Grandma
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Booth Bunz for Girls
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Booth Bunny Show girls for boys
Sept. 11-13, 2012. HD means Hospitality Design. The show is where designers, architects, owners, operators, developers and specifiers can see the best hospitality design products and services offered by artisans and manufacturers from around the world. Hospitality Design Boutique Exposition & Conference (HD Boutique) tries to differentiate itself from other industry shows with a distinct style and unusual venue, creating “a more personal and intimate” event (read comparatively small, but perfectly formed) which encourages networking with the most influential and exclusive hospitality owners, operators and design professionals. Visitors can “build relationships, discover new products and learn from the leading minds in the industry”. This show is billed as a unique hospitality experience, and you get to see bedding, lighting, decor, furniture etc. Hey, you lolling on the recliner, wake up….
Sept. 21-23, 2012. This Expo is billed as the largest showcase of food service products in the Eastern US. Full title? The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Show. So you were welcome to stay on for some Lodging after you finished in the Restaurant. Besides board and lodging, delegates were invited to profit from the latest trends, charm their guests, inspire their team and reduce their costs … though not necessarily all at the same time. Delegates could get the keys to all aspects of a successful food service business from experts handpicked by Ferdinand Metz, Master chef and head of the Culinary Institute of America, or watch as professional baristas prepared their signature espresso beverages and compete for the title of Ultimate Barista. Could I get my coffee with a Betty Boop cartoon in the froth? She’s cute…
Aug. 21-22, 2012. IncentiveWorks is Canada’s largest and longest running education and trade show event for the meetings, incentive travel and special events industry. Attendees were typically people involved in meetings, events, conferences, trade shows, galas, and company socials; also buyers of premium and incentive merchandise and corporate gifts, plus anyone responsible for selecting promotional items to reward and motivate employees and thank clients for their business. Breakout sessions and workshops were targeted to help plan and execute better meetings, conferences and events. Delegates could find more than 700 companies from Canada and around the world featuring new venues, products and services to meet your meeting, special event and incentive travel planning needs. IncentiveWorks proves that… incentives work.
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