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ABC Kids Expo 2012 Post Show Report

Quality makes up for quantity dip at annual juvenile industry event

By: TDmonthly Staff

PRESS RELEASE

All Baby & Child Corporation, the non-profit parent corporation of the ABC Kids Expo, announced that nearly 800 manufacturers exhibited in just under 3,000 booth locations at the annual event held last month in Louisville, Kentucky.

While this is still a very large number of participating exhibitors, it was short of the 3,500 booths at last year's event. A total of 1,871 retail stores and 4,343 buyers attended the event compared to 2,102 stores and 5,034 buyers the prior year.

Despite the lower number of registered retailers, a large number of exhibitors felt that all of their key retailers were in attendance at the event and many received a substantial number of orders. In addition, international retailer attendance at the show reached an all-time high of 66 countries, with large groups of delegates from China, the UK, India and Canada.

The New Product Showcase reception and Maternity Square runway show attracted a large number of participants. The enhanced JPMA Innovation Awards luncheon, 10-year anniversary exhibitor breakfast, CPSC sessions for retailers and manufacturers, two new evening hospitality suite events, and the first-ever ABC "Tweet Up" provided for some popular and unparalleled networking and educational opportunities. The Heine Brothers coffee and wine bar in the Modern Child® pavilion was also a hit with attendees, as were the new beer and bourbon gardens on the exhibit floor.

An estimated 5,500 participants, the largest number ever, took part in the industry party at 4th Street Live! in downtown Louisville where they enjoyed complimentary beverages and hors d'oeuvres while rocking to the beat of the Louisville Crashers.

The next ABC Kids Expo will take place on October 15-18, 2013 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For registration and lodging information, call 210-691-4848 or visit www.theabcshow.com.

For information and registration for the ABC Educational Conference & Trade Show, being held at the South Point Resort, Spa & Casino in Las Vegas on May 7-9, 2013, contact Sarah Binkley at 210-691-4848, extension 111, or sarah@theabcshow.com.

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