ASD Market Week will take place again from February 28th to March 3rd in Las Vegas. ASD Las Vegas is truly a destination wholesale buying event that can’t be missed. So if you are one of the lucky exhibitors participating in the next edition don't miss our interview with the organizers, especially their tips to succeed and the educational session highlights.
ASD Market Week gathers the widest variety of goods under the same roof. What are the novelties for the next edition?
ASD Market Week brings the world’s widest variety of merchandise together in one efficient consumer-goods trade show that’s as easy to shop as it is to love. As you can see from the list above, there is something for every buyer at ASD. Here is an overview of the types of products you will find in each one of our show areas.
- gift+home
- fashion+accessories
- beauty+fragance
- toys+novelties
- cash+carry
- convenience store
- general store
- smoke+vape
- source direct
Retail buyers range from Mass Merchants to Independent Specialty Stores, from Convenience Stores to Department Stores, from Hotels and Resorts to Carwashes, from Airport Gift Shops to Dollar Stores.
Do you have noticed an improvement in the economy?
There has been some improvement in the economy, but it is slight. Since a trade show like ours is reflective of what is going on in the market, we look to grow categories that are hot right now (like electronics accessories) and we also look for partnerships that help bring more value to our customers.
You talk about ASD Las Vegas as an experience, give us some reasons to don't miss the Show!
- Highest Margins - Get the lowest price with the highest markup value.
- Hottest Trends - Uncover next year's 2it" products.
- 2,600+ Vendors - Meet leading wholesalers displaying their top products.
- 9 Shows in 1 Location - With over 100 product categories.
Who can attend, or must do it?
ASD Market Week brings the world’s widest variety of merchandise together in one efficient consumer-goods trade show that’s as easy to shop as it is to love. This retail trade show is loaded with quality choices at every price point, this well-established trade show continues to grow, attracting tens of thousands of loyal buyers from every retail and distribution channel including retailers, distributors and importers who come here to discover new suppliers, new product categories – and new ways to profit. Retail buyers range from Mass Merchants to Independent Specialty Stores, from Convenience Stores to Department Stores, from Hotels and Resorts to Carwashes, from Airport Gift Shops to Dollar Stores.
BUYER TYPES AT ASD MARKET WEEK
If you are a buyer in a specific product category, you can find additional information on marking ASD Market Week work for you here, as well as find a general overview of the goods found in each one of our show areas.
Can you give some tips for those exhibiting at ASD Market Week for the first time?
My biggest suggestion would be to really plan. Plan your pre-show marketing, plan your booth layout (it should be representative of your products and brand (not just an afterthought), plan and train your staff (it is very important). Attached is a REALLY great white paper of Tips for New Exhibitors. Find below some useful information about 10 mistakes exhibitors make:
- Underselling your company with bad graphics: a less-than-professional appearance does not give your prospect confidence in you or your products and services.
- Putting way too much text on your display: you’ve got literally seconds to get someone’s attention as they stroll around the show floor. No one will stop to read a lot of text.
- Not promoting your presence at trade shows: let your clients and prospects know about your trade show appearances by using an e-newsletter and social media. Plan the launch of a new product/service around a show to create a buzz. Send invites...
- Not training your booth staff and discussing proper expectations: Don’t make the assumption that because you have professional salespeople they will understand the nuances of how to work in a trade show environment. Staff your booth with people who are as good or better than you!
- Not listening to your prospects needs: Don’t be so excited to get your message across and sell your product that you miss out on important info about your clients’ needs.
- Depending on a fishbowl to bring in qualified leads: Be an expert provider of solutions and you don’t necessarily need a generic giveaway contest to drive traffic to your booth.
- Hauling too much literature to your booth: Instead, write “Show Sample” on a copy of your literature to display at the show, and then get your prospect’s contact info to email or mail the info to them after the show.
- Not planning for trade show success: Discuss timelines with your trade show marketing consultant, get feedback from industry peers, do your homework.
- Not informing your exhibit service partner: Make sure that the service/I&D crews handling the logistics of your booth understand what’s going on with your booth.
- Not following up on leads: Though seems like a no-brainer, you need to make sure that your leads are called on in a timely fashion.
ASD also offer some educational seminars during the exhibition. Can you highlight us a session in particular?
During the exhibition will take place many educational sessions, among them, we can highlight the following ones...
On Sunday 28th February:
- 10:00 – 10:45 AM | Amazon 101- An Introduction To Selling on Amazon.com with Kat Simpson.
- 10:00 – 11:00 AM | How Small Business Owners Can Use Internet Resources To Be Their Own Interior Designers, by Mark Cutler, Chief Designer NousDecor, Principal Mark Cutler Design.
- 11:00 – 11:45 AM | The Secret Sauce to Boosting Your Online Presence, by Mindy Weinstein.
- 4:00-4:45 | Turn Content into Sales with Mindy Weinstein.
On Monday 29th February:
- 10:00-12:00 | KEYNOTE: Maximizing ASD: Creative Internet Strategies for Exponential Growth in 2016.
- 3:00 - 4:00 | Open to Buy Dollars. Retail Turn. Where’s the Cash? by Cathy Donovan Wagner, Founder and President, RETAILMavens.
On Tuesday 1st March:
- 4:00-4:45 | Don't Be A Prisoner To Your Inventory: Inventory Purchasing Strategies to Avoid Stale Inventory, with Danny Shaw.
Finally, can you give us some facts from the last edition?
- 45,000+ total attendees from 95 countries
- 2,700 exhibiting companies
- 98% of attendees are responsible for purchasing
- 12% of buyers were international (up 6% from August 2014)
- ASD invests an additional $1 million dollars in marketing for 2015