When I attended my first ISPA EXPO in 2012, then BedTimes Editor in Chief Julie A. Palm—with a very straight face—set me loose on the showroom floor in search of hog rings. Surely, the flight to Indianapolis had jolted her brain, I thought, and then I pictured myself wandering around the Indiana countryside in search of Arnold the Pig from the TV show “Green Acres.”
But, before long, I indeed found and learned all about hog rings, and since then, I’ve learned about serger-flangers, tack-and-jump, gel, gel, more gel and a convention center’s worth of machinery, processes and components specific to mattress production.
The International Sleep Products Association holds its event—the world’s only trade show exclusively for the mattress marketplace—in even-numbered years in different U.S. cities. This year’s show will be March 9-12 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
The exposition promises to be bigger and better than ever. At press time, more than 221 exhibitors from 23 countries are expected to showcase their products and services on more than 133,000 square feet of floor space.
“These benchmarks reflect exhibitors’ confidence in both the mattress sector, as well as the benefits they can achieve from participating in ISPA EXPO, with its long-standing reputation as the leading venue for mattress industry suppliers and buyers,” ISPA President Ryan Trainer says.
‘This year’s show promises to be bigger and better than ever. At press time, more than 221 exhibitors from 23 countries are expected to showcase their products and services on more than 133,000 square feet of floor space.’
“I’ve been attending EXPO for over 40 years,” says Bob Naboicheck, president of mattress manufacturer Gold Bond Co. in Hartford, Connecticut. “There is no other event where we can connect directly with so many of our industry colleagues and partners and see the latest machinery, supplies and services we need to run our business. ISPA also offers timely and high-quality educational seminars. I walk away from every EXPO with new ideas, knowledge about the latest trends and many valuable contacts.”
In addition, ISPA EXPO provides educational sessions designed to provide business insights for attendees across every sector of the mattress industry.
Networking event include a welcome reception, the ISPA Women’s Network Reception, Happy Hour on the Show Floor and the ISPA Industry Breakfast featuring nationally syndicated columnist and author Greg Schwem.
At BedTimes, we work on three special show issues. This first one contains a special section to help you plan your EXPO experience and trip to Orlando.
In March, BedTimes will be packed with more EXPO information, including an exhibitor directory. The issue also will have special distribution at EXPO itself. In May, we wrap things up with an overview of trends and new products that the editorial team has seen while covering the show.
If you’re exhibiting at ISPA EXPO 2016 and have news about products and services you’ll be introducing there, please send news releases and photos to Barbara Nelles at [email protected] by Tuesday, March 15.
If you haven’t registered to attend EXPO, now is the time. Check ISPAEXPO.com to find easy-to-use registration forms, plus links to hotel registration and information about transportation and Orlando.
I’m looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones at this year’s EXPO. And I’m passing the hog rings torch to our managing editor, Beth English, who will be attending the show for the first time. Good luck!
