BY THE TIME YOU GET THIS, THE SHOW WILL BE A DISTANT — BUT,
hopefully, still vivid — memory.
I’ve been to 20 Shows now, and I can honestly say that every one of them has had a distinct personality, a flavor and character all its own. And coming down off my post-Show high, I look back at our San Diego adventure with clarity and see it for what it was — a year of firsts.
It was pretty unanimous — this year’s most popular color was environmental green. More green products launched at this Show than ever before, with pb travel, Vallavista, Ricardo Beverly Hills and dozens of others debuting eco-friendly lines.
It was also the first year we’ve made a serious, concerted effort to reduce The Show’s environmental footprint. We’ve always worked on this at the micro level, using recycled paper stock when we can, carpooling, promoting telecommuting in our New Jersey office. But this year we were aggressive, partnering with the San Diego Convention Center to recycle, save energy and reduce waste. And we did such a good job the convention center actually asked to keep some of our signÂage, wanting to use it as an example for others. That’s making a real impact!
I always love first-time exhibitors, but this year’s freshman class was the best I’ve seen. Kena Kai landed at its first-ever Travel Goods Show with a splash, taking second place in the Product Innovation Awards competition with its gorgeous, Italian leather DataSafe Travel Wallets. And ETA — which debuted last year in a closed-off corner of the TRG exhibit — become a full-fledged exhibitor with its own booth, and walked away with first prize for its innovative Luggage Locator.
This is what I love about being on the exhibit floor, that magic joy of discovery when you see something for the first time, and get to shake the hands of the people responsible. It’s the spark of excitement of a first introduction, of making a new friend.
We also launched the Buzz Award for the most talked-about item in the New Products Pavilion as voted on by attending retailers and media. I was so pleased and happy when the winner turned out to be Shoreline, for its brave debut of the act2 Bottles to Bags laptop sleeve, what they honestly intend to be the second act for their company.
And let’s not forget this was the first time people got a sneak preview of the new Travel Goods Specialist Certificate Program, which promises to provide a little extra professional polish for our industry as a whole, and elevate our profile with consumers.
The fact that we debuted so many firsts at The Show just confirms it — this is the place to be if you’re in the travel goods industry. Despite this being a first-time for us in a new city, at a new venue, the innovative companies know The Travel Goods Show is the place to be, to see and be seen.
It’s good to be number one.
Editor-in-chief
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