ATTENDEE REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Wahoo! The excitement begins. Attendee registration is open. Click on the Attendee tab and then the registration tab under that to get to the online registration. You will also be able to download a .pdf of the form. You can also click the HOTLINK button on the home page.

Look for exhibitor registration and the exhibitor service kit in the next few days. these will also be added to the web. To think we started this show from 4 floor plan boards at the 2008 show.

Just in Case or Just in Time!

I read an article recently about two types of management philosophies for manufacturing - "just in case and just in time". The former assumes that a company will order, keep, and retain parts, information, etc. "just in case". There is an abundance of investment. This strategy is not wasteful. It just takes its cues from the Boy Scout motto - Be Prepared.



Working with a "just in time" style means when the need arises, you will be able to procure, secure or identify the parts, information, etc. you need. This assumes that resources have been identified for just such an occasion. Long-term investment in inventory or keeping files is not the way business is done using this strategy.



Regardless on which strategy you rely, I believe the Nursery/Landscape EXPO can accommodate. Exhibitors are ready to place orders or provide you information to possess "just in case." Walking the show and identifying the resources to call "just in time" is also a viable attendee strategy.



It was interesting, during recent Business Category Committee Meetings of Landscape and Retail members both strategies were expressed. The discussion resulted when we asked how they work the EXPO, and why they come to the show. Some just want to see what is new and who to call. Many were not interested in carrying literature home. They would get it when they needed it. Others depended on catalogues or dialogue with suppliers to begin the gathering or investment process.



It boils down to establishing goals before exhibiting and attending the show. Each method has merit. But being at show is an EXCELLENT investment! Plan now to attend!

Hotel Registration Open

Hey, the website is growing every day now. Hotel registration is open!! Our headquarters hotel will be the Hilton Anatole. Overflow hotel is the Hyatt. We'll have shuttles running from both continuously.

EXPO - Mission Critical!

Spent some time this week on a webinar about selling in a recession. While there was a lot of good information shared, one thing stuck in my mind. When making decisions businesses/people choose opportunities in a recession by determining what is "mission-critical" for their business or for them personally.

I got to thinking about how EXPO is "mission-critical" for our attendees and our exhibitors. We know based on behavioral studies from several well-known business publications that companies who did not reduce or cut marketing expenditures experienced higher sales and net income growth (250% on average) during the recession years and for up to three years after the recession. That is certainly a case for exhibitors to continue to attend the show!

We know that face-to-face contact is critical for companies. What more cost effective way is there to accomplish this mission-critical goal than to be at the Nursery/Landscape EXPO?

For attendees this "mission-critical" concept seemed to be a little trickier. Only because some attendees don't have specific goals when they come to the show. Attendees can say they see their sales people on a regular basis. But isn't a "mission-critical" goal for attendees to continually educate themselves on what is new, exciting and different in the market? Isn't it "mission-critical" for attendees' business to network with peers to see how to do things better, more efficient? For business owners, management can be a very lonely place on a day-to-day basis. It's great to affirm your position on business strategies you want to implement, or have implemented and are struggling with some aspect of the roll-out

Hmm? Attending and exhibiting at Nursery/Landscape EXPO is "mission-critical".

By the way... have you checked out our Face Book page?

Standing The Test of Time "Currently Under Construction"

The 2009 Nursery/Landscape EXPO is rapidly approaching. I know - August seems so far away. The Green Industry hasn't even hit their spring-stride yet. Well, for those that are "constructing the show" - August is fast approaching! The booths are being sold, the floor plan is continually being modified to meet the exhibitor's needs. Our attendee marketing strategies are beginning to roll out. The final speakers are being recruited. Hotel registration and EXPO registration is being programmed. We hope to have both open before the end of March.



This year's theme is suppose to inspire stability, strength, and continuity. I think the show, the industry and TNLA are all figuring out how best to do just that. Thank goodness we always seem to stand the test of time.



Over the coming weeks I hope this blog gives you insights into the construction of the 2009 EXPO. Sometimes there are happy dances. Sometimes there is frustration with the numerous vendors (can't they read our minds?). Sometimes there is fear that lack of time won't let us do all the things necessary to pull the show together. Regardless, we will be there on August 13 for our great education conference and from August 14-16 for the trade show.



Did you know?

In the U.S. there are currently over 2500 trade shows held every year! The largest is the Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas. In 2007 they had 143,767 attendees!