EXHIBITOR
the show went about as expected. I was generally busy; sometimes I had 1-2 customers waiting. At lunchtime things would slow down, but not enough for me to walk away and grab lunch myself. It will take the rest of the week to catch-up with everything.
As a Florida Sales Rep for a few lines I was obviously busier than my west coast peers. While international business has always been a big part of DEMA orders, I suspect it may have been even higher than past due to current exchange rates.
PRESS
I also attended as a member of the media. Honestly, there wasn't much news and that may be part of the industries problem. Two of the most talked about items going into the show were both infighting items; the UDI petition to DEMA and Rick Lesser seminar. I did get audio from both BTW. The DEMA audio is up and Lesser seminar will be soon.
I did not cover the cheap AL80s mostly because I thought the only news was price and I do represent a competitor. I find the whole 'secret' BS ridiculous as anyone that matters knows the manufacturer codes must be clearly stamped on the shoulder and with minimal effort that can be looked up to determine the details. That secret took one phone call... I/we know exactly who makes them and have spoken with them. If there is a story it is the Press v Exhibitor and DEMA has final say.
Sadly one of the most talked about booths after the show was the Planet Romance #725; a Czech Republic mail order bride company!
I really didn't see too much that was notable. Waterproof's silicon seals (won best product of the show) and new drysuit were pretty cool, but I have a history with Waterproof and currently represent Si Tech. The GPS was kinda cool, the Vandy model was cool. I will be representing the new uemis Zurich computer, so I can't objectively comment on that (pretty cool IMHO).
the show went about as expected. I was generally busy; sometimes I had 1-2 customers waiting. At lunchtime things would slow down, but not enough for me to walk away and grab lunch myself. It will take the rest of the week to catch-up with everything.
As a Florida Sales Rep for a few lines I was obviously busier than my west coast peers. While international business has always been a big part of DEMA orders, I suspect it may have been even higher than past due to current exchange rates.
PRESS
I also attended as a member of the media. Honestly, there wasn't much news and that may be part of the industries problem. Two of the most talked about items going into the show were both infighting items; the UDI petition to DEMA and Rick Lesser seminar. I did get audio from both BTW. The DEMA audio is up and Lesser seminar will be soon.
I did not cover the cheap AL80s mostly because I thought the only news was price and I do represent a competitor. I find the whole 'secret' BS ridiculous as anyone that matters knows the manufacturer codes must be clearly stamped on the shoulder and with minimal effort that can be looked up to determine the details. That secret took one phone call... I/we know exactly who makes them and have spoken with them. If there is a story it is the Press v Exhibitor and DEMA has final say.
Sadly one of the most talked about booths after the show was the Planet Romance #725; a Czech Republic mail order bride company!
I really didn't see too much that was notable. Waterproof's silicon seals (won best product of the show) and new drysuit were pretty cool, but I have a history with Waterproof and currently represent Si Tech. The GPS was kinda cool, the Vandy model was cool. I will be representing the new uemis Zurich computer, so I can't objectively comment on that (pretty cool IMHO).
