Booths packed, orders written, business and personal connections made, meetings productive, useful information gained—ISPA EXPO 2010 had all the ingredients of a good show. For some, it was even better than good.
“This was our best show ever,” said Taber Wood, vice president of CT Nassau in Alamance, N.C. “We had quality visitors—every call was quality.”
Some 168 exhibitors set up on the show floor of the Charlotte Convention Center March 3–6 and more than 3,100 manufacturers and others attended, according to the International Sleep Products Association.
Given the difficult economy that the industry has been navigating the past few years, many were unsure what to expect when the EXPO floor opened.
“The show has been good and we were pleasantly surprised for two reasons: One, we sold equipment. And two, even those who didn’t buy were upbeat and positive. They were saying, ‘I’m going need one of those soon.’
They appeared to be doing serious shopping,” said Russ Bowman, president of Global Systems Group, the machinery division of Carthage, Mo.–based Leggett & Platt.
Exhibitors reported steady traffic and said they saw a good mix of mattress manufacturers—from small independents to the majors—who were looking for innovative machinery, equipment, components and supplies, as well as money–saving and efficiency–improving services.
“The show has been great. It seems like all the key decision–makers are here,” said Alan Sheinberg, senior vice president of Komar Alliance in Elk Grove Village, Ill.
Bobby Brown, director of operations for the Govmark Organization in Farmingdale, N.Y., called the show “phenomenal.”
“The show was shockingly successful for us,” said Jim Turner, president and owner of SABA North America in Kimball, Mich. “The overall attendance was good and all who we targeted came by and we had good meetings with them.”
As the largest trade show dedicated to the mattress manufacturing industry, the focus of EXPO is on the show floor. But that’s only part of what happens during the event. EXPO also serves as a chance to learn more about timely topics. This year, there were seminars on federal mattress safety regulations, the industry’s economic outlook, sustainability, improving the consumer experience at retail and mattress recycling. Evening parties, including an opening night extravaganza featuring the Insomniaczzz, gave everyone a chance to unwind.
