MARCH MADNESS

By Moe Lastfogel
Director of Sales and Marketing for The Retail Observer

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Moe Lastfogel

It’s March madness time again. I am not talking about college hoops, I’m talking about trade shows! March is the busiest month of the year by far for the trade shows we promote and partner with.

The month kicks off with the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo in Atlanta on March 1-4. If you are selling outdoor or hearth products this is a show you don’t want to miss. My favorite area is always the outdoor burn area where manufacturers show of their wares and usually ends with a good meal.

March 16-19 is the ever-exciting Architectural Digest Home Design Show in NY, where many manufacturers will be launching new products. From appliances and plumbing to contemporary art and furniture. This event is one of our industries’ premier shows. Overlapping this show is the International Home + Housewares Show held on March 18-21 in Chicago. I am always excited to go to this show and play with the newest gizmos and gadgets. Countertop appliances, kitchen accessories and even more connected products will be on display this year.

March is Buy Fair month as well, with BrandSource in Orlando (5-8), Nationwide in New Orleans (19-22) and Mega Group (27-30) also in the Big Easy. I’m sure the manufacturers and reps will be sharpening a lot of pencils to keep up with the orders that will be flowing in from these exciting and educationally formatted events.

Lastly are the ASD Marketweek Trade Show (19-22) in Las Vegas, this B2B trade show brings the world’s widest variety of retail merchandise together in one efficient shopping experience. Global Shop (28-30) and Digital Signage Expo (28-31) are also in Las Vegas and are allowing you to use your tickets to enter both shows. Global Shop is the only trade show that combines retail design, merchandising, shopper-facing technology & marketing under one roof, while DSE is the world’s largest trade show of digital display and interactive technologies.

I suggest you get your calendars set, tickets in hand and bags packed. This is going to be a long month with lots of exciting events. Hope to see you there and if you see me first, say hello and let me know how your business is doing and what we can do to help you grow.

Happy retailing and safe travels,
Moe Lastfogel
moe@retailobserver.com

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