Cocktail hour by the fountain
More than 230 mattress industry professionals gathered in St. Petersburg, Florida, March 4-5 to reconnect with old friends and colleagues, learn from top business strategists and celebrate the International Sleep Products Association’s 100th anniversary as the voice of the industry.
The Sunshine State turned out to be the perfect getaway for ISPA’s 2015 Industry Conference. As snow blanketed many areas of the country and threatened travel, attendees wholeheartedly agreed that the historic Vinoy Renaissance Resort wouldn’t be such a bad place to be stranded. With temperatures reaching 80 degrees, who wouldn’t enjoy some extra time to stroll along the waterfront?
| Thanks to our sponsors! |
| ■ A. Lava & Son Co. |
| ■ American & Efird LLC |
| ■ Atlanta Attachment Co. Inc. |
| ■ Bruin Plastics Co. Inc. |
| ■ Carpenter Co. |
| ■ Certipur-US Foam Certification |
| ■ Coats North America |
| ■ The Dow Chemical Co. |
| ■ Jones Fiber Products Inc. |
| ■ Latexco US |
| ■ Leggett & Platt Inc. |
| ■ Northstar Recycling |
| ■ Outlast Technologies LLC |
| ■ SABA North America LLC |
| ■ Simalfa |
| ■ Talalay Global |
| ■ Tietex International Ltd. |
| ■ UL |
| ■ UPACO Adhesives |
| ■ Ventex Inc. |
| ■ Wright Global Graphics |
Participants benefited from networking opportunities, including the customary golf tournament, a gathering of the ISPA Women’s Network and a welcome reception on Wednesday. Thursday featured valuable educational sessions led by keynote speakers William Taylor, writer, entrepreneur and founding editor of Fast Company magazine, and John Spence, business adviser and author of “Awesomely Simple.”
But the event that stole the limelight at this year’s conference had to be Thursday evening’s Centennial Celebration. Guests first enjoyed an outdoor cocktail reception sponsored by mattress industry supplier Leggett & Platt. Then an intimate, candlelit dinner with champagne, sponsored by adhesives supplier SABA North America, beckoned in the Vinoy’s exquisitely decorated Grand Ballroom.
“You only turn 100 once,” ISPA President Ryan Trainer said during a toast welcoming the crowd. “It’s because of you we are here.”
Following dinner, emcee Rick Anderson of Tempur Sealy International took to the stage for a retrospective program—alternately informative and quite funny—highlighting milestones within the industry over the years.
“In the past century, our industry has survived wars and global economic collapse. We’ve weathered competitive rifts, faced numerous financial downturns and been challenged by ill-advised regulatory threats,” Anderson said. “Our forefathers’ vision to elevate the industry to fight for our common interest and disseminate vital information is as critical today as it was 100 years ago. Although the industry has changed, the core premise of ISPA has not: By working together, we’ve flourished … and continue to find workable solutions that build a strong, thriving bedding industry for us all.”
The celebration lasted well into the night, ending with an after-party featuring entertainment by the popular industry band the Insomniaczzz.
View ISPA Industry Conference slideshows from receptions, parties and speaker events at the BedTimes blog.
