2019.5 Mid-Year Musings

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

---

Moe Lastfogel

Ok, we’re halfway through the year and halfway through the trade shows of 2019. What shows have you gone to or are yet to attend? So far this year we’ve highlighted Living Kitchen, TISE, Las Vegas Market, KBIS and the Architectural Digest Show. In this issue we are covering the International Home and Housewares Show and The National Hardware Show.

IHHS was held this year in one of my favorite cities, Chicago. The numbers of attendees were as high as other years, yet the buzz in the “Windy City” was over the top! As for The National Hardware Show, the buzz at this show was truly upbeat. With the gathering of industry attendees and the vendors, you can see a real turnaround in the economy happening! Both events were packed with upbeat attendees and industry partners alike. As for the show floor, every vendor I spoke with had a great show, and as some put it, “some of the best leads we’ve had in years.”

Opportunities at these shows for manufacturers and attendees have grown rapidly over the past few years. As I write this editorial, I am just getting back from PCBC and THE AIA Show and attended HD Expo a few weeks ago. In just a few short weeks come July and August Shows with LV Summer Market, APRO, Nationwide and BrandSource events. September brings Spoga, IFA and Cedia’s show, which I will be attending.

Realize that these shows aren’t just about viewing a new product or seeing a new design aspect, they are also about education, networking and growing your business. I look forward to attending the remaining shows of 2019 and am anticipating the new wave of partnership and collaboration in the upcoming year. I’ll see you there!

Happy Retailing,
Moe Lastfogel
​moe@retailobserver.com

---