ABC Kids Expo, Las Vegas News

Great business in the world’s ‘entertainment capital’

29/10/2013

The BPA and nine of its members branched into new territory in October to experience exporting opportunities at one of the USA’s largest nursery trade shows, ABC Kids which took place at the Las Vegas Convention Centre.
This was the first time that many of the companies involved had exhibited in the USA and whilst anticipation at spending a week in the ‘entertainment capital of the world’ was high; whether it would be viable from a business perspective was very much in the hanging. However, all exhibitors have reported a very positive experience and were overall delighted with valuable business contacts made.

Simon Anslow, UK Pavilion Las Vegas organiser, comments: “ABC Kids attracts a less wide-reaching audience than Kind und Jugend, but the buyers that do attend tend to be from different territories to the German trade show.  It is hugely popular not only with North American retailers, but also those from Canada and South America and many of our exhibitors secured business that they wouldn’t have found otherwise.”

Rifat Jan of Fill n Squeeze said: “It was an amazing show and we are so glad we went. We secured our best deals since launching in February 2013 and the orders were much bigger than those taken at Kind und Jugend. On average they were container-sized from Korea and Singapore and I now also have three Canadian distributors fighting over my product.

We are also hoping to soon launch with our first major US retailer and having a face-to-face meeting with the buyer has really helped to speed things along. We hope to be back next year and cannot recommend it enough to other potential UK exhibitors. It’s a must show – and of course the location was pretty amazing…”

Paul Baines of My Buggy Buddy added: “Whilst footfall at the show appeared slow, we achieved what we had set out to and found US and Canadian distributors as well as interest from six new territories. We have also been approached to be the sole distributor for a Canadian company so overall the ABC show was a success for us and we met our targets.”

Nigel Roberts of Heritage Prams reported that they had over 200 visitors to their stand each day of the show and not only took numerous leads but also had contact with three potential new distributors – whilst Marc Ward of Jamm stated: “For us ABC was the best show we have had. Some great orders and a wonderful reception to our safety door stop – fantastic!”

Next year ABC Kids takes place in Las Vegas again from 7th to 10th September 2014 and the BPA hopes to stage a UK Pavilion at the show again. Simon Anslow adds: “Next year will certainly be a challenge for anyone wanting to exhibit at both Kind und Jugend and ABC Kids Expo as the shows are just a day apart with Kind und Jugend beginning on 11th September, but if there is demand for both shows again, we certainly intend to deliver UK Pavilions at each.”

See all BPA News