Home sweet Home

I am so glad to be back. The ABC spring educational conference was wonderful. We heard from unbelievable speakers. It was like being at Church camp. You come home raring to go with so many wonderful idea's. Ready to jump in with both feet. I hope the momentum keeps up for us. There are so many things that I want to implement at our stores.

Besides the great speakers we there was also a small invitation only trade show. The large trade show held September in Las Vegas is a free for all. So many manufactures that you can't possibly see them all. We spend 5 days literally running. This show was much smaller and only for brick and mortar specialty stores. No big box or Internet (target, baby's R Us, baby super mall etc...) There are only 200 manufactures allowed to show. This year ABC limited the booth space to 10X10 or 10X20. I hope that they don't do that next year. I don't care how big the booth is just as long as there are no more than 200 manufactures.

We found some great new products that I will be debuting here on our blog. Somethings I liked but didn't buy yet and then quite a few things that we will be caring in the stores.

The first night we had an NINFRA dinner and social at a local Louisville Kentucky museum. The Galt Hotel is where most everyone was staying and we were picked up there by a trolley. After only a brief moment inside the doors we were surrounded with old friends that we only see 3 times a year. Some even less than that. It is like a family reunion with out all the weird stuff. Graco helped to sponsor the great event. The food was amazing and after dinner we had a wonderful demonstration in swordsmanship. We were then left to roam the museum in privacy before we headed back to the hotel.

Mom and Me

Lori, Dave, and Dad

Gene spends a lot of time on the phone. In fact all the men do.

Great friend Karla (expecting twin girls. She is 30+ weeks. I know I am jealous too!) and Jacob my totally cute and to much fun friend.

The next day we had an all day NINFRA meeting. My dad has been the president of NINFRA for 4 years and at this meeting he passed the torch to Barry Gavertz. Towards the end of the meeting my dad was presented with the Eleanor Schwartz award. This is an award that NINFRA gives out every couple of years to someone who has been dedicated to the good of the juvenile industry. It was such an honor for my dad. I am so proud of him.

At the beginning of the ABC show a press conference was held. At which it was announced that the Fall ABC show would be held in Louisville starting in 2011. I guess what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas.

After the first day at the show Louisville threw us one heck of a party. We took the Bourbon Buses from the show to the facilities where the 2011 September ABC show would be held. As we disembarked there was a red carpet lined the clapping patrons. We were made to feel so important. Then just as you entered the building there was a live demonstration of glass blowing. I was so amazed at their talent. Then inside was a grand party with food, drinks, and entertainment.

The other entertainment included golf cart rides around the facility and several museum exhibits that were brought in for us. Probably the neatest part about this party was that the people of Louisville arranged this party after the contract for the show to be moved had already been signed. Their hospitality went above and beyond in every way. We are so excited to be visiting again soon.