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| Volume 4, Issue 7 - July, 2005 2005 Las Vegas Hardware Show Review • Editor’s Note • 2005 Las Vegas Hardware Show I arrived at the show early to watch the activity and there was plenty of it. Traffic at the show far exceeded the traffic at the last couple of Chicago Shows. While there were rumors that the big boys (Depot, Lowes, etc.) were not going to be at the show, they were in fact there though not wearing Retailer badges or using the corporate identities. The same could be said of Snap-On and other major players. While Retailer and Distributor badges were not always visible, there were a large number of distributors there that were entirely new to me. Specialization continues to change the field in which we play. Early reports from manufacturers were that the traffic was good and that they were anxious to see what subsequent days at the show would bring. There were some rough edges to the show. Not the least of which was the crazy layout. Most of the domestic suppliers were in the main area, but there was another group that was hidden at the back of the Gourmet Food Show on the lower level. This was unfortunate for them and for attendees. Further complicating the show was the fact that most of the imported products were in a different building and it took a good half-hour to get there by bus. Signage was less than adequate in finding the busses and finding the right halls. Next year, it was promised, will have all of the Hardware Suppliers together in one show venue. That will be a huge help. Another area that left something to be desired was the new product area. There was too much stuff crammed into too small an area. If one person stopped for even a second to look at an item, the entire area came to a stand still. The items were packed too closely together and the isles were way too small for the traffic level. I must confess that I didn’t attend any of the educational programs because I only had two full days at the show and I needed every minute to see everything. Last year there were almost no traditional big names from the Chicago Hardware Show. This year there were a number who participated and I will bet that by next year there will be an even larger contingent in spite of the fact that there will be a Cologne Show in 2006. (I still wish that the Cologne Show and the U.S. Show could alternate years.) Those of you who did not attend but are considering their options for 2006 may want to read what others are saying about the show as well. I always appreciate what the folks at the National Retail Hardware Association have to say about the show and you can check it out at http://www.nrha.org/05274.html . Another interesting perspective comes from Hardware & Home Centre Magazine in their report at http://www.centremagazine.com/article.asp?id=43567&issue=05242005&lid=43567&lpos=dailyNews . Even after reading all of the articles about the show, the primary question remains. “Does participation in this show make economic sense?” If you are going to judge the show on the orders written, I suspect you will be better off staying home. If, however, you want to position your company and your products in the minds of distributors, retailers, trade press and others, then you may want to consider participation. If you want to see what is going on in your industry, then this show is a great place to get educated and to educate your people. If you want to optimize your time and expense by seeing the largest number of customers and prospective customers then you might want to consider participation. If you want to build as much hype as possible for your new product, then the Hardware Show is the place to do it. The Hardware Show was a great show for me that has already resulted in two new clients and two more prospective clients. As much as I dislike the clanging bells of the casinos and the circus like atmosphere, you can safely bet that I will again be at the Hardware Show in 2006. I hope to see you there! • Why vs How Management If you have a subject that you would like to see covered in future issues of “Taking Aim,” please send me an email at aim@CannonAdvantage.com.
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Robert E. Cannon "Best Practice" Sales Force
Development Change Management Customer Service Assessment for ISO Requirements Smart Thoughts from Smart People – "Laugh at yourself, but don't ever aim your doubt at yourself. Be bold. When you embark for strange places, don't leave any of yourself safely on shore. Have the nerve to go into unexplored territory." Alan Alda
"Many people die with their music still in them. Why is this so? Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out." Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." Oprah Winfrey
"Lead the life that will make you kindly and friendly to everyone about you, and you will be surprised what a happy life you will lead." Charles M. Schwab
Taking Aim © 2005 Bob Cannon, The Cannon Advantage Newsletter. All Rights Reserved. The Cannon Advantage visual branding by Zarney Creative. For contact information, click “Resources.” |
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