Mind you, I have no complaints about Vegas, or the Mandalay Bay that played host to the convention, nor the perfect weather, and even the air travel (with connections) was near flawless. But I am glad to be home.
It is always great to re-connect with our fellow exhibiting suppliers. Greeting what
are technically competitors with warm smiles, handshakes and hugs as dear friends. But that simply is because we DO become friends. Exhibiting at shows across the country -- quite literally -- we have shared many meals, many bus and plane rides, many side excursions and outings. This leads to an ever-growing history full of entertaining stories and laughs. And we call these competitors? We understand we each have specialties and niches; we appreciate that we each bring something to the table; we support and help each other in every possible ways. I raise a toast to my friends!
I haven't even mentioned our distributors yet! Our customers at these shows have too become great friends. Walking down a crowded corridor and you hear your name called out. Turning back you see a big smiling face with hands, or even arms, already extended out. Before you answer things like "what's your booth number?" you spend a few moments checking on family and such. The business discussion will wait until you're both at the booth. When I wrote about suppliers helping each other out above, it is in large part because as suppliers, we understand that is the best way that we, collectively, can support our distributors. A case in point: we had a customer asking for a very specific type of product that we don't carry ourselves. We offered three possible suppliers and suggested which was most likely to carry the item. As an example of how good our distributor clients are, this person took the time to come back to our booth -- and this is a big 2-floor show and our distributors walk all day -- just to thank us. They found exactly the item they needed where we suggested they might.
This industry, Promotional Products, really is fabulous. And yet, it is great to be home.
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