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ICA show report
- Thread starter soapy
- Start date
Dean Taylor
Dean Taylor, CATEC.com
Hi Soapy,
I'm here in Orlando at the show. From what I can tell so far, the turnout has been about the same as last years show in Vegas, not nearly as good as past years.
I did notice some new equipment on the floor, most of which I wasn't all that impressed with. A lot of systems and equipment just had new decals and paint schemes for a "new and improved" look.
Nearly everyone I have talked to at the show has indicated slow business. Hopefully the economy will turn for the better soon. As an exhibitor, I did notice there seemed to be a lot more serious buyers and a lot less less tire kickers this year. I think the slow economy, distance, high cost of travel and admission to the show kept many at home this year.
As for Orlando (I'm from Florida) and this Micky Mouse outfit, all I can say is...Viva Las Vegas!
I'm here in Orlando at the show. From what I can tell so far, the turnout has been about the same as last years show in Vegas, not nearly as good as past years.
I did notice some new equipment on the floor, most of which I wasn't all that impressed with. A lot of systems and equipment just had new decals and paint schemes for a "new and improved" look.
Nearly everyone I have talked to at the show has indicated slow business. Hopefully the economy will turn for the better soon. As an exhibitor, I did notice there seemed to be a lot more serious buyers and a lot less less tire kickers this year. I think the slow economy, distance, high cost of travel and admission to the show kept many at home this year.
As for Orlando (I'm from Florida) and this Micky Mouse outfit, all I can say is...Viva Las Vegas!
I attended Tues. I thought I would need to spend the night and attend again on Wed. Not so. Same stuff, new colors. I checked it all out in a few hours and drove back home. Don't know about the seminars. I will check it out and buy the cd's if I see something interesting. I was only a 2.5 hr drive away so it was no big deal. If I would have flown in from the north I would have been disappointed. However, I was not shopping for any major items. That makes a difference. This is just my own personal observation.
Waxman
Super Moderator
I'm posting from the 'internet kiosk' at the ICA show right now. I'm loving it here. I've met some friends from this forum and had a great time talking with them and partying a little bit. Everyone's real friendly and I really learn alot from talking with owners with more experience than me (that's ALL of them!).
I've only been to Nashville and San Antonio before this, so I can't tell about attendance. The new product displays are decent. I think the standouts for me were credit card acceptors, pet wash and in-bay (ss) blowers and tire shiners. There's a new mini-tunnel from Superior called 'fastrac'. I looked at it but did not think the 'log chain' style floor-mount conveyor would hold up well in New England. They said one is being installed in Boston, so I will check that out next winter; maybe February.
Also, since I found out that my trusty Side Trac 700 is no longer being manufactured by Superior (BOOOOOO!), I began scouting new machines for the eventual replacement of mine. I like the Washworld. It's at a price point I like and seems to be what I'd want in a machine.
All in all I'm enjoying myself here. I've had fun at Disney, too. If you want some inspiring ideas, Walt Disney World is full of them, from cleanliness and attention to detail to cool signs, displays and imaginative execution of even the most mundane things. I spent 15 minutes checking out a gift shop in Dino Land because it had a cool gas station theme.
I've only been to Nashville and San Antonio before this, so I can't tell about attendance. The new product displays are decent. I think the standouts for me were credit card acceptors, pet wash and in-bay (ss) blowers and tire shiners. There's a new mini-tunnel from Superior called 'fastrac'. I looked at it but did not think the 'log chain' style floor-mount conveyor would hold up well in New England. They said one is being installed in Boston, so I will check that out next winter; maybe February.
Also, since I found out that my trusty Side Trac 700 is no longer being manufactured by Superior (BOOOOOO!), I began scouting new machines for the eventual replacement of mine. I like the Washworld. It's at a price point I like and seems to be what I'd want in a machine.
All in all I'm enjoying myself here. I've had fun at Disney, too. If you want some inspiring ideas, Walt Disney World is full of them, from cleanliness and attention to detail to cool signs, displays and imaginative execution of even the most mundane things. I spent 15 minutes checking out a gift shop in Dino Land because it had a cool gas station theme.
Waxman, I saw you at the Forum Party but did not get a chance to say hello. The Orlando Expo location and and facility were outstanding. Orlando is more family friendly with Disney and all the attractions close by. I was dissapointed at the lower attendance than Las Vegas shows. I was looking for friction units for the future, credit cards acceptors for the bays, improvements for existing equipment, and any new innovative products that were cost effective. I accomplished most of what I there for. In summary, I believe the economy was a big factor in the attendance. It was good seeing and meeting some of the Forum regulars and once again putting a name with the face. Lastly, without Bill's Forum I probably would not have attended. Bill has brought people together from all qandrants of he country. Lasting friendships have been made. Without the Forum I would not have meet, Randy, Galen, Pat H,Jerry N, Tom from Seattle, Mac, Russ K, Bill from Detroit, JJ and his mag, and many others. His Forum is like a college and we all just attended one of the reunions.
bneckrock
Bill Neckrock
My sentiments. exactly. Except for the Galen part.
Orlando was fun. Show attendance seemed a little light but as good as Vegas last year. The vendors I talked to said the prospects were serious buyers . If they had a good product line they had no complaints. I had to come back on the last day (which was really slow) to talk to a couple of vendors because they were swamped when I went by on previous days.
As far as new products for SS, Blendco has introduced an in-bay tire shine system.
Standard had a very interesting auto teller. It looked well built and had a low price point. It used a reliable PLC for a controller and looked easy to service. Fully loaded price with dual coin hoppers, mars acceptors, DUAL HEAD CC reader , receipt printer, internet CC acceptance, etc for less than 10K.
The forum party was fun too. Got to see some old friends and meet the famous waxman as well as some others I haven't in shows past.
I prefer Orlando, San Antonio , Chicago, etc. over Las Vegas but I guess those days are gone. I understand it is Las Vegas every year from now on.
As far as new products for SS, Blendco has introduced an in-bay tire shine system.
Standard had a very interesting auto teller. It looked well built and had a low price point. It used a reliable PLC for a controller and looked easy to service. Fully loaded price with dual coin hoppers, mars acceptors, DUAL HEAD CC reader , receipt printer, internet CC acceptance, etc for less than 10K.
The forum party was fun too. Got to see some old friends and meet the famous waxman as well as some others I haven't in shows past.
I prefer Orlando, San Antonio , Chicago, etc. over Las Vegas but I guess those days are gone. I understand it is Las Vegas every year from now on.
helpfuljames
Pump supplier
It was nice to meet some Forum members at the dinner. I had pictured many of you to be taller, shorter, fatter, thinner, than you actually are. Bravo to Bill for putting the thing on. The prize drawing was nice even if Shorco's kid rigged the drawing. I mean really, the 1st item goes to his mother....
I was suprised by the ownership changes I heard about at the show this year: Magic Wand, D/H, Superior to name a few. It may be shake up time. (?)
I talked with the booth drawing task force, after getting another bad location for 2009, and I offered up some ideas for how to improve the layout and booth opportunites for for yearly exhibitors that do not need a huge space, but show up every year. I encourage other exhibitors here to contact them with your ideas. Or contact me if you think this is thread worthy.
I was suprised by the ownership changes I heard about at the show this year: Magic Wand, D/H, Superior to name a few. It may be shake up time. (?)
I talked with the booth drawing task force, after getting another bad location for 2009, and I offered up some ideas for how to improve the layout and booth opportunites for for yearly exhibitors that do not need a huge space, but show up every year. I encourage other exhibitors here to contact them with your ideas. Or contact me if you think this is thread worthy.
Red Baron
Active member
My vote: I usually go if in Vegas but didn't this year because, it wasn't.
I'm not a partier or a gambler but prefer Vegas because Vegas just has a carefree feel that no other city has. It's moer relaxing for me there. Besides, our mfg company has exhibited in Vegas so frequently that it feels familiar to me.
Vegas routine:
1. Wake up early.
2. Drive to Starbuck for achai latte.
3. Go park near the runway at McCarren and judge landings.
Where else can you do that but Vegas?
I'm not a partier or a gambler but prefer Vegas because Vegas just has a carefree feel that no other city has. It's moer relaxing for me there. Besides, our mfg company has exhibited in Vegas so frequently that it feels familiar to me.
Vegas routine:
1. Wake up early.
2. Drive to Starbuck for achai latte.
3. Go park near the runway at McCarren and judge landings.
Where else can you do that but Vegas?
I think Dean hit it on the head; traffic was less than it has been, but the ones who were there were buying. That is good, but I would still like to see more traffic from operators who might be "tire kicking"; if you don't get them to a show then you don't have a shot at them. The entrance fees for the Expo should be minimal ($25 for for all 3 days) like Mac said in a post. I talked with the "Task Force" that is to deal with the way the show is run and told them the same thing. If the attendance is 7K or so as Bill says, then that is not very good for us exhibitors.
I hoped that the rumors about the big guys cutting down on the size of their booth space was true, but, from looking at the exhibit floor maps when I signed up for 2009, I'm not sure it is true. We'll see when the real numbers come out soon. As "Helpful" says when the big guys get through getting their spaces, there isn't much left for us smaller guys but the rear and both sides of the exhibit hall. I was going to wait awhile to select for 2009, but the 20% discount for space booked at the show was too good to pass. I didn't increase my booth size at all. The discount tells me there is concern at the higher levels, but will anything happen!
Soapy, we did fly American thru LA to Fresno and had no delays or trouble at all getting back. Leslie's flight back to Orange County (CA) was delayed about 5-6 hours, but she did get out. Dallas/Ft Worth seemed to be the bottleneck. It seems there were just certain models of planes that caused all the problems. Typical government bureaucracy saving all of our butts.
I will make a more detailed report about our experience during the Orlando show in my ShurVend user's group.
Uncle Sam
I hoped that the rumors about the big guys cutting down on the size of their booth space was true, but, from looking at the exhibit floor maps when I signed up for 2009, I'm not sure it is true. We'll see when the real numbers come out soon. As "Helpful" says when the big guys get through getting their spaces, there isn't much left for us smaller guys but the rear and both sides of the exhibit hall. I was going to wait awhile to select for 2009, but the 20% discount for space booked at the show was too good to pass. I didn't increase my booth size at all. The discount tells me there is concern at the higher levels, but will anything happen!
Soapy, we did fly American thru LA to Fresno and had no delays or trouble at all getting back. Leslie's flight back to Orange County (CA) was delayed about 5-6 hours, but she did get out. Dallas/Ft Worth seemed to be the bottleneck. It seems there were just certain models of planes that caused all the problems. Typical government bureaucracy saving all of our butts.
I will make a more detailed report about our experience during the Orlando show in my ShurVend user's group.
Uncle Sam
Washmee
Fullservice Tunnel
3. Go park near the runway at McCarren and judge landings.
Where else can you do that but Vegas?
Why would you waste your time at McCarren when Nellis AFB is just down the road.
I'd much rather watch Vipers and Eagles doing pattern work than a 737 on final.
Washmee
Fullservice Tunnel
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Lots of good viewing spots at Nellis.
I thought the show was very good. Orlando's hospitality was unlike anything I had ever seen before. From the hotel front desk to housekeeping everyone was excellent. I liked being able to go to the show, not get run over by people in the aisles, and actually talking to suppliers, or future suppliers. Now, Im a Vegas guy, to the bone, but I would rather go back to Orlando, or even San Antonio. Thats my two cents, not like it matters!
