Retail owners seeking year over year success for Halloween, Party and Costume sales know the Halloween and Party Expo is the place to find innovation, products, education and networking.
Over 80% of buyers agree the Expo showcases industry innovations, and a high percentage, 88%, view it as the place where new products are launched. As Sharon Wiess of Joe Sam’s Fun Shop, an annual attending buyer notes, “This show is very important. It’s our #1 show. If you don’t make this Expo, you’ve pretty much lost all the insight of what’s going on in the industry.
With strong Halloween 2014 sales due to a Friday event, retailers will be preparing to stock up on new products and costumes for a promising stellar Saturday Halloween in 2015.
Thousands of buyers attend from over 70 countries and territories worldwide will be descending on New Orleans to attend the 2015 Halloween and Party Expo February 6-9. This year’s record breaking attendance numbers validate the importance of the Expo.
The show’s available exhibit space was 87% sold on the last day of the show in 2014 and had to be expanded to accommodate more exhibitors looking to participate in this important industry event. Since 65% of buyers purchase 50-99% of their yearly orders at the Expo, 86% of exhibitors say that attending annually is important. A solid 32% believe their quality and quantity of orders increases year over year. And, 76% believe the Expo connects them with serious industry buyers.
First-time exhibitors applaud the show for new contacts as 82% say they would definitely exhibit again. Traxedo, a first-time exhibitor in 2014 shared, “It’s our very first year. We’re a brand new business and we’re making a lot of really good contacts.” Consistently each year, the Expo brings in about 25% new buyers who have never attended before. Adam Franklin of Franklin Sports says, “This show exposes us to a whole bunch of new customers. This is our third year at the show and we’ve opened up close to 100 new accounts every year, so it’s just been great for us to expos use to a whole new market.”
The event begins with the Halloween & Party Expo Kick-Off Party hosted by Party & Paper Retailer on Thursday night at 7 p.m., featuring live music and entertainment in a fun New Orleans setting along with great food and drinks. This event is not to be missed! Attendees must register by December 28 to get their required badges in time for the party. Only the first 1,200 badged buyers will receive free entry and two complimentary drink tickets. Besides enjoying the food, music and company, party attendees will have an up-close view of models in the newest Halloween and fantasy costumes that will be for sale in the exhibit hall Saturday.
The Expo hosts booths from hundreds of exhibitors, showcasing cutting-edge party and costume gear customers will be clamoring for in 2015. The upcoming show will feature the most international exhibitors yet, bringing even more unique and one-of-a-kind party and costume goods than ever before. With the exhibit hall split into three separate areas: Halloween products, fantasy costumes and party goods, attendees can go straight to the areas that interest them.
Visiting the new product area in the exhibit hall is a quick and easy way for repeat attendees to check out what’s brand-new at the Expo for 2015. Buyers can get an up-close view of the most cutting-edge exhibits, then find their way to the individual booths to learn more and connect with sellers.
The expo also showcases unique industry crafts. Attendees can relax between order writing in the Artist’s Showcase while being amazed by pumpkin-carving demonstrations from renowned carver Ray Villafane. In the Zen Den, tired visitors can become rejuvenated with free massages.
Throughout the weekend, industry experts will present educational sessions, designed to inform party- and costume-based business staff on a wide variety of topics, ranging from employee healthcare to creating online stores, improving customer service and more. Business experts will host these free-of-charge discussions to help small business owners learn how to stay afloat while increasing sales and remaining visible in a vast marketplace.
An added benefit is being in the New Orleans during Mardi Gras season. This scheduling allows attendees to spend time enjoying the amazing sights, entertainment and cuisine the Crescent City has to offer each day after the exhibits have closed. From parades and po’ boys to live jazz music and sazerac cocktails, the world famous New Orleans nightlife beckons Expo attendees to come and explore the city after a day of learning, placing orders and networking. It will be a busy time in the city, and hotel bookings are pacing 57% above previous year reports, so do not delay in arranging your discounted hotel room nights.
Don’t miss out on the hottest Halloween, fantasy costume and party event of the year in the coolest city around. Interested attendees can visit halloweenpartyexpo.com to register as a buyer at no cost with required documentation.
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