SPREE 2011 Articles

Renewed Optimism Reigns as Largest SPREE Show Opens

Las Vegas, NV – The seventh annual Specialty Retail Entrepreneur Expo opened today with the largest number of exhibitors and attendees in the show’s history. Exhibitors and attendees alike spoke of a sense of renewed optimism and excitement about the future of specialty retail.

Debbie Lahti, the trade show director, said she was extremely excited about the show’s 50 percent increase in exhibitors booths this year, totaling close to 300. “I’m especially impressed by all of the entertaining and exciting booths,” said Lahti, “As SPREE’s reputation for being the pre-eminent trade show for the cart and kiosk industry grows, our exhibitors are growing their presence too because they know they will ink deals at SPREE.

Many exhibitors brought a brand new booth to the show, including SPREE’s premier sponsor, Bellapierre, who also launched their new Legally Blonde inspired product line. With the new Legally Blonde make-up kit, customers can re-create Elle Woods’s famous look. Bellapierre’s booth also included lighted make-up stations and offered attendees makeovers by professional make-up artists.

Richard Hanson, Bellapierre’s sales manager and CFO said he feels more confidence that the economy is finally coming back. He was also excited to announce that Bellapierre products will soon be featured on the home shopping channel in Canada.

Additionally, reports company CEO and founder David Oren, Bellapierre is ready to launch kiosks within department stores in malls overseas. Growth overseas has quadrupled in recent months, Oren reported.

Also enjoying growth is SPREE executive sponsor, Pinook, which introduced seven new massagers including the iPro. Ovir Leviran with Pinook reported that business was doing well and expansion plans included more penetration on the West Coast and locations abroad including the U.K. and Guatemala.

Capitalizing on the popular catchphrases of the day such as “Tiger’s Blood” was executive sponsor, tropical sno. The tiger’s blood flavor was a mix of strawberry and coconut. Donald Griffiths, president of parent company, Pioneer Family Brands, reported that interest at SPREE was terrific. The company gave out free snow cones at the show.

Inventor Zone a big hit

Also enjoying a great deal of attendee interest and buzz was the new Inventor Zone, a section of the trade show for a select group of inventors with retail-ready products to showcase. The Inventor Zone was hosted by Mark Reyland, Executive Director of the United Inventors Association and sponsored by Inventors Warehouse, an inventor service that guides inventors on the path to commercialization.

“We are so excited to be at SPREE this year and learn more about cart and kiosk retailers. We are constantly seeking to open new inroads for inventors to bring their products to market and SPREE seems to be a great fit for our inventors,” said Reyland.

The Inventor Zone completed the day with Reyland hosting a special award presentation to recognize the Zone’s Best Overall Product, which was presented to Meredith Lamirande, inventor of Dropper Stopper, a fashionable tether to keep baby items–like cups and toys–from hitting the floor. Awards to recognize two additional companies were presented to Flopeez, which makes neoprene, barefoot-like flip-flops and Accu-Text, makers of a finger cover that enables easier use of small buttons and keyboards.

Hall of Fame Awards

The day’s events were capped off with a welcome reception and the presentation of the Specialty Retail Hall of Fame Awards. A posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Robert Norins. Jim Allen, executive vice president for local leasing at Simon, who was not able to attend, was also recognized for his recently bestowed Lifetime Achievement Award. The award for Specialty Leasing Director of the Year went to Suzanne Cayley of Ivanhoe Cambridge; and Specialty Leasing Manager of the Year was awarded to Carol West of Simon Property Group.

Jimmy Gilland, of Tricked Out Accessories, won the award for Specialty Retailer of the Year. As part of his acceptance speech, Gilland thanked all those in his staff, specialty retail and mall management that have worked to help make his company successful.

Stay tuned for more updates from SPREE.

Educational seminars, social event, capped off busy day at SPREE

Las Vegas, NV—Brisk deal making and great attendee interest marked the second full day of SPREE.

Jerry Jones of CBL Properties, one of the show’s sponsors, was delighted with the show’s rapid growth over the years and noted the palpable excitement on the floor.

Dozens of new products piqued customer interest. Of particular appeal were products tailored toward technology—such as the Applecore, a product designed to hold together cables without clutter; Road Mice—wireless computer mice modeled like cars; and USB storage devices shaped like bracelets that are increasingly trending up on college campuses.

Established favorites in specialty retail including Calendar Club, were also busy throughout the day. Lori Lesko of Calendar Club, reported that many attendees were interested in the company’s owner-operator program.

Seminar sessions

Lori Lesko was also one of the presenters at a series of educational seminars held all day long concurrently with the show. Her talk focused on seasonal opportunities available to both beginning and seasoned retailers. She evaluated risks including initial investment and return on profit for various models.

Much expanded this year was an international focus; the global specialty retail market took center stage first in a presentation moderated by Suzanne Cayley of Ivanhoe Cambridge. Presenters included a representative from the Canadian Consulate and the U.S. Commercial Service, an arm of the Department of Commerce; they referred participants to resources helpful to conduct business in Canada.

An even more expanded global focus was the theme of another seminar moderated by Deborah Kravitz of Provenzano Resources. Louise Poole of MacArthur Glen was one of the presenters. She along with Byron Lewis from Lewis Commercialisation, showcased the differences in specialty retail between the U.K. and the United States. Kravitz, for her part, showcased projects recently executed in Dubai and elaborated on the differences in specialty leasing between the Middle East and the United States.

Provenzano Resources delivered other well-attended seminars about the nuts and bolts of the specialty retail business. Social media and email marketing were popular topics of interest in seminars presented by Patricia Norins, publisher of Specialty Retail Report, and Melissa Kellogg, contributing editor.

The networking continued well into the evening as attendees participated in a social mixer at Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, an event sponsored by Jones Lang Lasalle.

SPREE 2011 Wraps Up With Resounding Success

Las Vegas, NV – As SPREE 2011 wound down the largest, most successful show in its seven-year history, exhibitors reported a much busier day of foot traffic and attendee interest than expected. First time exhibitor and Associate Sponsor Bill Berdie, Vice President and COO of Art Form, said he was constantly busy today and wished he had not let his sales staff go early. “I didn’t know what to expect coming here, but it was a great show,” Berdie said. Art Form is based in Las Vegas and manufacturers small jeweled trinket boxes, many encrusted with Swarovski crystals.

Art Form’s handmade boxes were well received by numerous types of operators from those selling sunglasses to those looking for a seasonal product, said Berdie. He said he even inked a deal with an operator from Moscow, Russia and had interest from Canadian operators. Art Form has over 500 varieties of boxes all that open up. “They are a great addition for mall operators and gift shops,” said Berdie, “because they require little to no demonstration and are very eye -catching.” All boxes have the same retail and wholesale price points to keep it simple. Art Form also designs custom boxes for numerous organizations from the NFL to local school fundraisers.

As vendors wrapped up meetings and started packing up boxes many expressed gratitude and excitement about a successful show and made plans for coming back next year. With a special discount for vendors to commit to returning, there was a flurry of contracts being signed and floor plans being mapped. Daniel Person, representing West Edmonton Mall and Mall of America said that he would not miss next year’s show for anything. “For us, it’s a great opportunity to meet and talk with our operators face to face. Retailers are the backbone of our business.”

Exhibitors were impressed by a qualified and wide range of attendees at this year’s SPREE. Debbie Lahti reported that her preliminary attendee numbers show a more than 42 percent increase over last year. Amit Fridman, President of Smoke Free said he had “a crazy amount of interest” in his product line and that the attendees that came to his booth seemed more knowledgeable than he’s typically used to seeing at shows.

John Buhler, Senior Special Projects Manager with Stak Design, a kiosk and trade-show booth designer echoed the sentiments saying he was impressed with the variety of retailers and products at the show. He was also fascinated by all the impressive booth designs this year.

Buhler seemed to typify many SPREE vendors saying that Stak Designs, which did not make it to the show in 2010, had such a great show that they plan to make SPREE a primary show for them in 2012.

Hope you can join us at SPREE next year! For more information about SPREE 2012, please visit www.SPREEShow.com.