IN A GLANCE: What You Missed at ASD Market Week in Las Vegas | March 2015

If you weren’t among the 45K attendees at the recent ASD Market Week held March 1-4, 2015 in Las Vegas, you missed out.

ASD Market Week – formerly recognized as the ASD Show – was in full effect, welcoming 45K plus attendees to the Las Vegas Convention Center for a robust experience of trade show buying, retail education, industry networking and lastly – though certainly not least – some Vegas fun. Here, in no particular order, are some of the top ten experiences you missed if you didn’t attend ASD Market Week this past March 1-4 in sunny Las Vegas.

#1 – New Vendors 

New vendors stood out at ASD Market Week, welcoming attendees to discover new products in categories that included fashion, accessories, beauty, home, gift, novelty, toys, smoke and more. Among the new vendors were SoapSox, as seen on ABC TV’s Shark Tank, and Bottle Band, a one-size-fits all band that is designed to go around any water bottle or other drinking cup to make it mobile and easy to hold. Additionally, fashion accessory Hip Appeal – USA made hip wrap fanny packs that cater to the fashion conscience, active, on the go female – created a buzz in the cash and carry section of ASD. Other new vendors that stood out included Blendtique – a make-your-own-wine product – and Jewels of Jaipur – high-end, beautifully handcrafted jewelry designs.

#2 – New Party 

To celebrate the opening of ASD Market Week, ASD invited all attendees (aka badge holders) to an official opening night party at The Sayers Club inside the beautiful new hotel, SLS Las Vegas.  Doors opened at 10pm, and there was a one hour well open bar from 10pm-11pm. Attendees were ready to go and excited to join the ASD team in celebrating opening day of ASD Market Week and the days ahead, as well. Everyone appeared to have a great time, with lots of networking, dancing and good-times taking place.

#3 – Returning Vendors

One of perks of ASD Market Week are that attendees can trust they will see some of their favorite vendors again and again and again at this bi-annual show. Among vendors that attendees look forward to seeing every time they visit include SunStaches – also of Shark Tank fame – and iiShiiDesigns, a cash and carry based jewelry vendor that delivers fashionable accessories at affordable prices. Additionally, Mo You Nails is a popular vendor, who offered free, fun manicures to attendees that highlighted their nail designs, polish and more.

#4 – Show Planner 

With new vendors, returning vendors and fun on every attendee’s agenda, a Show Planner is must to keep each day of ASD Market Week organized. Those that used the Show Planner provided by ASD Market Week were able to better manage their show experience. Not only did it help with show navigation, it also identified vendor matches for retailers based on product categories, contacted exhibitors for show appointments, and allowed attendees to view and schedule educational seminars. Basically, it was a one-stop destination for attendee planning that also easily exported appointments to attendee’s own Desktop calendars if desired.

#5 – Expert Presentations

For the third time, ASD Market Week welcomed the Independent Retailer Conference to their show floors. This added value for attendees delivers non-stop, dynamic learning experiences for ASD attendees to engage, learn and connect with industry leaders, retail experts and like-minded merchants. Among the show favorites from this past ASD Market Week included Jim Cockrum, a well known Amazon, eBay and online marketing expert, as well as Ron Cates of Constant Contact. Additionally, the Independent Retailer Conference hosted over sixty “pop-up” sessions that included industry experts from SnapRetail, RETAILMavens, Intuit, Lumiary, Ringo Financial, Retail Studio Effect and Kizer & Bender. All four days of ASD Market Week provided expert education, with Source Direct – part of ASD Market Week – also introducing more education than ever before to their attendees, as well. Plus, as an added bonus to all attendees, ASD offered new buyer seminars that helped attendees learn more about ASD, navigate the show floors and more.

#6 – Alibaba’s “Trade Assurance Program” 

Alibaba.com, China’s biggest online commerce company and the world’s fastest growing e-commerce marketplace, unofficially launched their Trade Assurance Program during this past ASD Market Week in Las Vegas. Officially, this program from Alibaba.com will launch this Spring, however this soft roll-out was first announced at ASD, where Alibaba introduced their Trade Assurance Program with praise to ASD buyers and worldwide buyers alike. Camille Candella, Vice President of Marketing for ASD Market Week, stated that “the Trade Assurance Program from Alibaba gives buyers peace of mind that their order will be completed on time, and at the level of quality they expect – which eliminates any stress or concern in working with qualified vendors.”

#7 – ASD’s NEW Mobile App 

Attendees of ASD Market Week were thrilled to download the first ever app from ASD, which allowed retailers to utilize all of of the pre-show planning provided by ASD directly from their mobile phones, as well as engage with the app onsite at the show. Easy to use, the app made show planning a breeze for ASD veterans and new attendees alike. Summing the app up, ASD attendees had everything they needed at their fingertips. This included details on new vendors, new products, trade show directory details, walking maps, ASD educational seminars and more. Those who wanted to take it up a notch could, as well, with advanced features that included attendee “favorite” lists, agenda planning, note taking and more.

#8 – More Transportation 

Anyone who has ever attended ASD knows that it’s a big show with a lot of great vendors to visit… however, as a result it involves a lot of walking. ASD provided “golf carts” as a luxury to attendees to get from the South Hall to the North Hall, running all day long between the two spaces at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Getting a little sunshine and a quick ride from one hall to another proved a fun perk for show attendees. Additionally, ASD once again provided transportation to a variety of hotels in Las Vegas – making getting to and from ASD both affordable and easy.

#9 – Las Vegas Perks

Attending ASD was a blast in itself – but being in Vegas can’t help but entice attendees to have a little post show fun, as well. ASD Market Week once again delivered in supporting their attendees with some Las Vegas perks, including offering badge holders 20% off their food bill at Otto Enoteca Pizzeria in St. Marks Square at the Venetian hotel and exclusive discounts for shows that included Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages, Million Dollar Quartet, Absinthe, Legends, and 50 Shades The Smash Hit Parody! As always, ASD also offered attendees special rates at a variety of hotels in Vegas, including at the new SLS Las Vegas Hotel, Wynn Resort, various Marriott properties and more.

#10 – Higher Margins 

ASD veterans return to ASD Market Week for many reasons, but among their favorite are because of the high margins available on the inventory sold at ASD. Recognized for being an Affordable Shopping Destination, ASD once again delivered when it came to introducing retailers to thousands of vendors who not only sell great products, but offer high margins for retailers to maximize their sales and make more money. From fashion to accessories to gift to toys to novelty and more, attendees were not let down when it came to finding products for their stores that would make them more money and gain them more success.

March may have past us, but August isn’t that far away. Don’t miss out on what ASD Market Week delivers next time. Secure your calendar now to attend the August 2-5, 2015 ASD Market Week in Las Vegas!