Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) June 19, 2013
June 19, 2013
To: All Exhibitors, Buyers, and PLUSH Attendees
Re: Open Letter to Juvenile Industry from PLUSH
Dear Friends,
Its been about a week since the end of our first PLUSH B2B + B2C show, so I wanted to address the industry, and also respond to the multitude of emails that I have been receiving regarding our show. I'm very encouraged to say that most are extremely positive and understand our vision, coming from a myriad of retailers, consumers, media, and exhibitors.
As our first B2B event, overall I would have to say that it was a success. Yes, I agree that our Saturdays attendance was very low, but from what I hear of other first time B2B shows, we actually did quite well. I cant be more proud of the hard work that our team put into creating our very first multi-day event by reaching out to both retailers and consumers.
I want to share the following stats with you:
*207 retail stores registered for Friday, June 7th and Saturday, June 8th, our B2B days, with the bulk of attendance being on Friday.
*1000 people attended the sold out consumer day show on Sunday, June 9th.
*The average consumer on Sunday spent over $ 100 at the show and discovered a minimum of 7 new MUST-HAVE brands/products that theyve never seen before.
Our consumer day was a smashing success as we were sold out yet again, which included heavy press coverage as well as celebrity attendance. Through our consumer survey, we are receiving RAVE reviews about the show and also receiving incredible feedback about products and services which we intend to pass along to the members of JRA, which in the end will help to serve not only retailers, but manufacturers and eventually make for better products and buying experiences for those important moms and dads!
A few things I must address, as many have asked me to respond on a couple of items. First, Id like to thank the Juvenile World Old Guy for his mass email to the industry titled, ABC Kids vs PLUSH The Truth. One thing to make clear PLUSH had nothing to do with this email, and it is still a mystery to us who this Old Guy is, but I must thank him for his honesty, and his genuine concerns for this industry. PLUSH doing a B2B show is in no way us trying to compete against ABC Kids, but in fact, trying to provide the industry what ABC Kids lack a beautiful show thats more intimate and focused on helping to differentiate specialty retailers and unique manufacturers in the industry, in a format where everyone including consumers feel like they have a voice. I personally respect what ABC Kids has done, but also believe that there is room in this industry for another trade show. Ultimately, our goal should be the same, which is to create a healthy industry, and nothing more, and we will do our very best to listen and serve this industry and specialty retailers.
Second, Id like to send out an apology to anyone who was offended by Jamie Grayson at the Friday panel. Throughout Mr. Graysons entire three day stay at the show, our staff showed him every hospitality with complimentary hotel, airfare, food & drinks, and multiple announcements, press releases, newsletters, and social media regarding his speaking engagements at the show, along with our team constantly asking about his well-being throughout his stay. It was evident that his brand did not run synonymously to the PLUSH brand when he dropped his first f-bomb, and said things like, Then F*** that manufacturer, in a room attended by manufacturers and children. I again apologize, for any misrepresentation of him at the show, but there were many misrepresentations of PLUSH on his end. Case in point: I did not know him for 3 years, (less than 3 months is more like it), I did not forget his name, I simply hesitated because I was moving strollers, and raffle giveaways as I was co-hosting, (so please forgive a mother who just gave birth to her third child, five months prior for being a tiny bit out of breath.)
Overall, we are floored by the positive words we are still receiving from the attendees of the show. We are encouraged by the loyal PLUSH attendees, who tell us over and over again how much they enjoy the show, and look forward to what the future holds. Its also exciting to see that many of you are on board with us to change this incredible industry in order to make it healthy and thriving again. Our industry is in desperate need for a healthy change, proven by the comments brought forth from our recent show, and the response to our announcement of PLUSH Vegas 2013. Securing a show in Vegas was developed organically based on requests I received from the industry. We are not competing, but yet again, offering another choice. Retailers will already be in Vegas, and for the vendors that want to reach the specialty stores, PLUSH offers a targeted audience where products will not be lost in a million square foot building. Unfortunately, specialty stores can not survive in a monopoly. One of the great things about our country is that we stand for freedom and freedom of choice, so there is a place for everyone!
With the help of JRA, and what they are trying to accomplish, this can be a very exciting time in the Juvenile Industry. I do hope you will lend your support, because there is a lot we can accomplish if we stay positive and look toward a common goal.
The partnership between PLUSH and JRA/BFPA is what the industry needed. We believe that working and networking together with retailers and vendors is the recipe for success.
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