VDTA/SDTA 2007 Trade Show & Convention Las Vegas, NV

If You Missed It, You Missed Out!

The 26th annual VDTA/SDTA Trade Show & Convention was, once again, a resounding success. If you missed the show, you missed a lot: there were lots of booths in the exhibit hall featuring new products, a great deal of seminars, workshops, and roundtables taught by industry experts and leaders, and lots of other dealers, all in the mood to network and learn.

The show started off in high-gear on February 21 with two packed seminars designed to get dealers charged up, ready for the show and ready to jump-start their business. Sew-Cess, in the morning, and Suck-Cess, held in the afternoon, featured multiple presenters giving dynamic demonstrations and million dollar ideas to the enthusiastic crowd.

At the SEA Luncheon and Business Meeting, guest speaker Pati Palmer of Palmer/Plesch inspired attendees while nine industry teachers were recognized as Master Certified Sewing Educators.

Seminars held throughout the show focused on a wide array of subjects, including vacuum cleaner demos, central vacuum selling techniques, creating profits through space heater sales, and adding air purifier systems to product lineups. Other seminars focused on steam vapor, vac motor repair/care and carpet cleaning basics. Some of the business classes offered insight on intellectual property, advertising and branding. For those who also carry sewing products, a plethora of workshops on sewing and embroidery subjects were also presented. Many of the manufacturers/vendors exhibiting at the show also held their own training seminars and hospitality suites in conjunction with the convention so their dealers could obtain all their required training under one roof.

The 10th Annual Bernie Epstein Charity Golf tournament was held at the scenic Silverstone Golf Club, on the north side of Las Vegas. There were 89 golfers that participated in the event, all of them there to enjoy a beautiful, sunny afternoon and the camaraderie of a day on the links.

Prizes and a “goodie bag” for each golfer were donated by various companies within the industry as well as the Las Vegas Hilton and Las Vegas Visitors & Convention Bureau. The proceeds, netting almost $15,000 were donated to the VDTA/Bernie Epstein Scholarship fund. This golf tournament is the primary fund raising event for the scholarship fund.

The trade show floor opened in the morning on February 22. For three days “touch it, try it, order it” took place on the show floor. The manufacturers and vendors, large and small, were happy to show their latest and greatest to the attendees. And the attendees, in turn, were happy to work the best deals they could get. That’s what the show is for, isn’t it?

On the morning of February 23, keynote speaker Jack Sims gave a dynamic presentation on “Growing Small Business into Big Brands.” The first 200 through the door received a free copy of Sims’ “must-read” book. If you missed this presentation, you really missed out. Special thanks go to Linear and M&S Systems for sponsoring the books.

The always enjoyable Awards Presentation & Industry Cocktail Reception, this year co-sponsored by Domel, took place on the evening of February 23. During the awards ceremony, with a standing room only crowd, the Hall of Fame inductees were announced, the scholarship winners were introduced and the 20-year VDTA/SDTA members were recognized. Convention instructors as well as golf donors and sponsors were also named and thanked during the ceremony -- after all, it is their support that makes this annual convention so successful.

And a bitter-sweet presentation was Larry Overson’s retirement. Larry, Executive Director of Sewing, who has worked for VDTA/SDTA for almost 14 years, and in the industry for more than 40 years, made his last “official” appearance at the show. VDTA/SDTA presented him with a beautiful wristwatch, so he’ll never be late for a tee time again. We expect Larry will continue to be in touch with his many friends in the industry.

The show closed on February 24 at noon. Everyone seemed to agree that this is the place to be if you are in the sewing or floor care business. This is the one place where manufacturers and dealers in these two industries can meet, conduct business and have a fantastic time in Las Vegas.

Commenting on the show, Benton Hunt of Neal’s Vacuum & Sewing Center in Davenport, IA, said, “Never in one place could so many things be learned from so many great minds in our industry. This year’s convention truly opened my eyes to the vast amount of knowledge that is available. It really was great meeting with the men and women who have made this industry what it is and without them, us ‘young guns’ would have nothing to build on. I enjoyed meeting everyone and getting some of you pumped up. The trip was worth every penny and I would do it all again today!”

Mark your calendars for the next VDTA/SDTA Trade Show & Convention; February 20-23, 2008, in fabulous Las Vegas, NV.

Remember....
What happens in Vegas… can really help your business!

Reprinted from Floor Care Professional, May 2007