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Previews
Retail's BIG Show 2012
- Details
- Parent Category: Expos and Conventions
- Category: Previews
- Published on Sunday, 15 January 2012 15:52
- Written by Brad Balfour
The National Retail Foundation's Annual Convention & Expo was nicknamed "Retail's BIG Show" many years ago and because the name was so appropriate -- so it stuck. Today, Retail's BIG Show is NRF's flagship industry event held annually in New York City, this year from Jan. 15 - 18, 2012.
The four day event, held in Manhattan's Javits Center right by the Hudson, offers unparalleled education, collegial networking, and an enormous Expo Hall full of technologies and solutions. The Convention’s centennial celebration was held in 2011, commemorating 100 years of industry leadership.
Education & Thought Leadership
The NRF team works tirelessly to secure industry leaders as Convention speakers --- the more innovative, revolutionary and intriguing the better.
The sessions are organized into content tracks and focus on everything from mobile retailing and sustainability to research and global trending. Industry super stars take the stage in Super Sessions, while Breakout Sessions concentrate on a single topic.
Networking
From the kick-off opening night reception and EXPO Hall happy hours to more intimate working breakfasts and lunches, the Convention offers numerous networking opportunities for attendees. NRF members (Full Conference attendees) are treated to a special Members-only Luncheon and all Full Conference attendees are invited to the Annual Retail Industry Luncheon to honor retailers for their innovation and industry achievements.
Expo Hall
For two full days, the Expo Hall is a showcase for the industry’s most innovative technologies. Retail executives searching for the most effective solutions and tools find them in specialty pavilions, exhibitor booths and exhibitor-led BIG !dea educational Sessions.
Attendees
From the C-Level and Senior Execs who make up 39% of the BIG Show audience to the regional managers and the single store operators – anyone who is in retail has a home at Retail’s BIG Show.
Below are some details as to who attended in 2011:
- 22,000 industry professionals
- 500+ exhibitors
- 175+ speakers
- 82 countries represented
- 45 international delegations
Registration
Registration is open to everyone.
Full Conference registration includes all educational sessions, networking, the ARIL Luncheon and access to the EXPO. NRF and Shop.org members receive a discount when registering either as a single or as a team. International delegations also receive a discount. An Expo-only Pass is also available for the two days the Expo is open.
The Pass is free to retailers and non-retailers may purchase a pass for a nominal fee. Exhibitors and Sponsors register separately. Learn more about registration.
For further info contact NRF Retail's BIG Show Staff
Walk on Water and Have a Ball: LA Travel & Adventure Show
- Details
- Parent Category: Expos and Conventions
- Category: Previews
- Published on Saturday, 07 January 2012 05:00
- Written by FilmFestival Traveler Staff
For the seventh year, Southern California's largest travel show, The Los Angeles Travel &
Adventure Show, is taking place January 14 - 15, 2012 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California.
The event is presented by Unicomm LLC, an independent business-to-business communications company "specializing in originating and managing world class trade shows and conferences in under served and nascent markets." Unicomm is responsible for producing the largest series of travel events in the United States -- the Travel & Adventure Shows.
Attractions include:
- 18,000 Gallon Scuba Pool
- Aerial Zip Line
- Rock Climbing Wall Experience
- and something new has been added: Bubble Rollers™ Water Balls! These Aqua Balls are designed for one to walk or float on water, walking inside the sphere.
Featured Presentations are:
- Pauline Frommer – Traveling Smarter: When to Splurge & When to Scrimp
- Andrew Zimmern – Bizarre Travel
- Patricia Schultz – 1,000 Places to See Before You Die
- Peter Greenberg – New Rules of the Road
- Samantha Brown – A Comedy of Travel Errors: My Globalization of Mishaps
At Destination Theatre, learn about such locations as:
- Africa
- Costa Rica
- Falkland Islands
- Germany
- Guam
- Spain
- Taiwan
- Tasmania
Cultural Performers include:
- Happy Chinese New Year presentations by Taiwan dance troupes
- Cultural Chamorro – Uniting the Marianas
- Malaysian Cultural Dance Troupe
- Cabaret Berlin
- Indonesian Traditional Dance
- Music and Dance of Spain, Turkey and Egypt
- the ever-popular Belly Dancing
The Culinary Stage theme this year is International Fiery Foods Challenge. Local chefs representing some of the destinations at the Show will cook traditional “hot” dishes.
- Travel for Foodies – Tips, Trends, and Tools.
- Mark DeCarlo Interactive Cooking Class and Competition – Three lucky audience members will be picked from a drawing to recreate a dish of Mark’s choosing, right on the spot. The winner, chosen by the audience, wins an all-inclusive Yucatan vacation.
- There are plenty of demos and food tastings, such as:
- Berlin Bulette (aka Frikadelle)
- Taiwan Popcorn Chicken
- Rendang Padang (Indonesian Caramelized Beef Curry)
- Medjool Dates with Chorizo, Mascarpone and Tunisian Harissa
- Lemon and Avocado Taste Sensations from 120 Year Old, Sustainable Limoneira Ranch
- Tequila Pairing Tips and Demo with Herradura Ambassador
A Photo Clinic will be in session with Peter Velasco, travel photographer/author, who will show visitors tips and tricks for maximizing photographic memories.
Whether you know where you're going and want more tips, or you are seeking out something new and different, this event is sure to meet the needs of every level of traveler.
For more information, go to www.adventureexpo.com and select "Los Angeles".
Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show
January 14 - 15, 2012
Long Beach Convention Center
300 East Ocean Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90802
562-436-3636
Educating Jazz -- Free Sessions for Public and Pro Alike
- Details
- Parent Category: Expos and Conventions
- Category: Previews
- Published on Wednesday, 28 December 2011 22:46
- Written by Bob Grossweiner
The Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) will host a series of special sessions devoted to jazz and jazz musicians at the organization's APAP|NYC conference from January 6-10, 2012, in Manhattan's HiltonHotel on 6th Ave. between W. 54th and 53rd Streets). The conference is the largest annual gathering of performing arts industry professionals, and the jazz track offers both free and registration-required events.
Austin Hosts IMFCON
- Details
- Parent Category: Expos and Conventions
- Category: Previews
- Published on Thursday, 01 December 2011 05:00
- Written by FilmFestival Traveler Staff
The International Music Festival Conference (IMFCON), in conjunction with the 
International Film Festival Summit, is being held December 4 - 6, 2011 at the Omni Hotel & Resort DownTown Austin in Austin, Texas.
"IMFCON features over 400 festival organizers and a database with regular outreach of over 40,000 industry leaders. Founded in 2002, the IFFS & IMFCON provide the only annual conference and symposium for film and music festival professionals and entertainment executives to network, learn from one another, establish partnerships, and understand the latest trends in festival operations."
