Car Care World Expo, Las Vegas-May 12-14, Update

[Uncle Sam]

We just registered online as an exhibitor at the ICA website for the upcoming show in Las Vegas. As stated in the March 15, 2010 post below, we are going to be showing one completely new 28-selection vendor along with a completely new line of our full sized vendors in a MEDIUM SECURITY format. Not as robust as our Hi-Security line of vendors, but these will work for operators with the smaller facilities and those with a lower risk of vandalism.

A reminder that we will have our “Sore Thumb” chasing LED lights on display and will also show you how the new Mars VN 2712 $1-$20 bill validator works with the $5 bill recycler attached.

We are also trying to obtain some free “Expo Only” passes to give to some of our prospective customers so they can “kick the tires” on our new line of vendors. If you know you are going to be coming to the show in Vegas and would like to get in on the drawing to get a free Expo pass, please email us (ICA requires a unique email address for each registration) so we can put your name and email address into the “hat”.

See you there!!

Uncle Sam

 

[Uncle Sam]

Expo Passes

I could only get one extra pass to CCWE in Las Vegas and that one is gone. We used to get more passes as exhibitors, but not any more!

Uncle Sam

 

[rph9168]

Hate to sound old but I remember when exhibitors could get as many passes as they wanted. Maybe that is why attendance was so much higher than it is today.

With the problems we are having with the economy and the decrease in business it would have been nice if Smith Bucklin would have at least lowered the price of the Show if not given show floor passes to anyone who wanted one. I know it is part of the way the Association and Smith Bucklin raises money but if people continue to struggle they will lose money anyway by losing members who either can no longer afford the dues or simply go out of business. Giving out free floor passes would not only have been a nice gesture but might have increased the exposure of the companies that support the Association by exhibiting at the Show.

 

[Uncle Sam]

Couldn't agree more, rph. The preliminary numbers for registrations do not encourage me very much on the Expo attendance. I, too, can remember when you could get onto the show floor free.

I cut down the size of my booth this year because of the economy and past years of lower attendance. Smith Bucklin claims the attendees now are "more qualified buyers" than before, but I would still like to see more eyeballs even if they are "just looking". If operators do not see new ways and new equipment that they can use to increase revenue at the wash, many exhibitors do have a chance to penetrate the market.

Hope to see many of you in Las Vegas; Booth # 1166

Uncle Sam

 

[Uncle Sam]

If operators do not see new ways and new equipment that they can use to increase revenue at the wash, many exhibitors do have a chance to penetrate the market.

Hope to see many of you in Las Vegas; Booth # 1166

Uncle Sam

Should read "many exhibitors don't have a chance to penetrate the market

 

[rph9168]

Look forward to seeing you and your wife at the Show and many of the Forum people at Bill's reception.

I have also heard that registrations are down significantly. This year's show should be interesting to see how companies are trying to cope with the downtrend in the industry and what new items will be presented. It is a shame that it isn't more affordable so people could see what is gong on in the industry and get ideas on how to improve their business.

 

[JJJakubowski]

The mo' the better

I'm having a hard time grasping the computation of these "equations":

The World Car Care Expo venue was 2 years in Vegas, then the 3rd year went to some other good convention city somewhere else around the country. However, Expo has now been committed "forever" to Vegas ... no regional venues. The primary reason being (as I understand) that the "overall numbers" --- the "body counts" --- were consistently better in Vegas.

BUT, when Expo did rotate to those other regional venues every 3 years, the Association and exhibitors consistently said that there were more "qualified" buyers per capita at those regional shows --- more "operators brought their wallets".

So in search for higher body counts --- the national show locks in to Vegas. BUT those numbers are suppressed (in part) by virtually eliminating passes to the show floor. Yes, forcing operators to pay to kick tires, shop, and buy helps weeds out casual window shoppers. BUT, here are a couple things to consider:

#1, the operators who go to Vegas tend to be the same-o operators who "always" go to Vegas.

#2, "casual" shopper attendees often do become "motivated" buyers when they find themselves in a trade show environment. They see and hear what other operators are buzzing about --- what they're buying --- and the buyer/consumer inclination can become "contagious".

Bottom line: it's been too, too long since I've heard exhibitors complain about their booth staff being overwhelmed by too many attendees ... of any kind. I say, the mo' passes, the mo' better ... certainly "mo'" than the current policy of next to none.

JJJ/SSCWN
--------------------------------------
The poster formerly known

 

[MEP001]

I can only guess that Vegas is a good location because it's so cheap to get a flight there since it's such a popular place to visit. It would be interesting to see if the "body count" is repeat visits by locals or if there are a lot of first-time "bodies" there each year.

 

[Eric H]

I would certainly go each year but the flight back to MA from LV is a killer. It takes nearly 8 hours and crosses 3 time zones. My flight back this year leaves LV at 11:30 pm on friday and I arrive in NH at 10:47am on Saturday, then another hour to drive home. I would certainly go every year if it was is Chicago, Orlando (3hr flight), or Houston on the off years. I HATE Vegas.

 

[Ric]

I agree with JJJ.

Not only do I miss the free (or low cost) entry to the show floor we used to get but I also miss the having the show float about the USA a bit.

I can no longer bring my family with me onto the floor show for a day since it is too costly. Plus we're tired of Vegas. After 27 years of ICA membership This is the first year I have considered dropping out.