The mood at Winter Las Vegas Market was an upbeat one. The companies working the in the SSA showroom were very busy, and many said they were able to close deals this Market that they have had in the works for years - a fact they attributed to the dealers feeling much more positive to plan and move forward with new programs. Overall traffic was up at Las Vegas Market, which was certainly reflected in the SSA showroom, where the buyer attendance was up 7.5 % over January 2018 (from 529 buyer groups in 2018 to 571 buyer groups in 2019). More significant than the number of buyers shopping in the SSA showroom was the upbeat attitude in the room. We suspect the dismal past July Market made this January Market seem exponentially vibrant.
The first 3 days were filled with presentation after presentation.
Auntie Anne’s was in the house, and they were a HIT.
“Auntie Anne's pretzels were not only great to eat, buyer could take and go,” said exhibitor Butch Craig at Sleep and Beyond. “Awesome idea! Buyers loved it. Was real food for hunger,” from Brice Hata at TMI Products. Kyle Borreggine at CULP said, “Hard for me to sneak away for a “full lunch”, this made the hunger easier .”
Bill and Shana from I Love My Pillow
The Swiss Bliss team doing presentations
Once again we did an exit poll of our exhibiting companies. We partner up with our exhibitors to create a positive and profitable market experience, and so we are eminently interested in everyone’s feedback after Market.
Here are the comments that came back to us this time.
Shana Hughes, pillow manufacturer I Love My Pillow: I Love My Pillow had their best market yet. SSA always does an outstanding job & we’re looking forward to showing again at Summer Market. The layout of the showroom is extremely smooth for everyone inside. The flow of traffic works perfect not only for the vendors but retailers are able to see what all is offered without walking from different buildings or floors.
Brian Phillips - mattress manufacturer Swiss Bliss: This was our best market to date. Not only did we open new customers but we also engaged with more than one well known industry individuals about new projects and future collaboration. We have lots to accomplish between now and July and look forward to designing our new expanded showroom.
Kyle Borreggine, softgoods manufacturer Comfort Supply Co by CULP: Specialty Sleep is the best bang for your buck at Las Vegas Market. High traffic and great destination for retailers. It really can’t be beat.
TFS/Honest Sleep and Sleep and Beyond are showroom neighbors
Butch Craig - organic softgoods manufacturer Sleep and Beyond: Vegas 2019 Winter Market was # 14, for Sleep & Beyond and the best market ever. As I always say, 80% of success is showing up, and the 20% is follow up. Not showing up you are know as being absent, and therefore you have no % of being successful. The Specialty Sleep Association do an outstanding job of making buyers feel welcome and provide coffee, food & drinks. We as exhibitors have to do our homework of inviting and selling and follow up. Remember the 80/20 Rule.
Suzanne Diamond - natural and organic mattress manufacturer TFS Solutions: Excellent support from Tambra, everyone in all the showrooms were friendly and kind and we all worked together very well.
Peter Laurens - mattress manufacturer/distributor Baltica Naturals: This market show was the best that we have experienced so far; we received an unexpectedly large number of visitors and serious buyers. The SSA showroom is literally the best place to be in the entire LVM for small- to medium-sized bedding companies. There are other locations where a showroom feels isolated and off the beaten path--but the SSA is ideally located to attract traffic.
Brice Hata and Tania Lopez from TMI/Remarkable Pillow
Peter Laurens at Baltica Naturals
Brice Hata - pillow manufacturer and foam supplier TMI Industries: I have to be honest with you. With the tremendous decrease in foot traffic at the previous Summer Market, along with the continued challenges that smaller retail store fronts are experiencing, we considered pulling out of Vegas and investing in other foam trade shows. We were pleasantly surprised with a better quality of traffic and buyer this Winter. We finally got traction on an account we have been working on for years with our Rep, and opened up quite a few smaller size retailers as well. We realized that sometimes you have to believe in building your customer base for the long haul. Even if that means sacrificing a slow Summer Market to get there.