ASD Market Week Shows Significant Growth in Buyer Attendance Numbers Resulting in Unprecedented Growth

August 6, 2015 – Las Vegas, NV— At the close of ASD Market Week on August 5^th, 2015, final numbers show that there was a 14% growth in buyer attendance over last year, with VIP attendance up 23% throughout this 4-day show. The unprecedented increase in attendees in an established show of this size can be attributed to a number of different strategic marketing and internal restructuring initiatives.

We substantially enhanced our marketing budget this year to invest in a re-branding campaign, increase outreach campaigns including print and digital media buys, expanded engagement across all social media platforms, expanded our VIP buyer program, and launched a dedicated blog intended to keep buyers engaged throughout the year by continuously focusing on highlighting ASD Market Week vendors,” explained Karalynn Sprouse, Merchandise and Sourcing Group EVP. “Additionally, we tripled our internal Buyer Acquisition team dedicated to more regions across the United States and around the globe.”

Adding to this was Camille Candella, VP of Marketing for ASD Market Week.

“We are thrilled with the final reported attendee numbers. We set very high expectations for success for this event, and while we knew there was no guarantee that we’d meet those expectations, we implemented a strategic plan, everyone on the team worked diligently on executing that plan, and the hard work paid off,” Candella stated. 

In addition to expanded efforts in getting buyers through the doors, the show also took steps to ensure that the buyers’ experience at the show was valuable and productive. Onsite kiosks staffed with experts, as well as the launch of a dedicated mobile app, easily facilitated the discovery of new categories and new vendors. Additionally, both buyers and attendees had the opportunity to attend nearly 100 sessions presented by trusted industry experts, creating an important added value for the show. As always, ASD Market Weeks’ unique Source Direct program continued to bring valuable resources to the exhibitors and importers in attendance.

While maintaining its loyal base of returning buyers, ASD Market Week also saw a significant increase in first time attendees.

We’ve been attending shows for 32 years but this is the first time we’ve been to ASD,” noted Curt Lambrecht, part of the Palmer Buying Group and owner of Lambrecht’s Gifts, in New Ulm, Minnesota. “I like it here, I find that ASD Market Week is cheaper, but deeper.”

For more information about ASD Market Week, to receive high-resolution images or to set up an interview with the show’s management, please contact Michelle Orman at (646) 302-5521 or via email at Michelle@LastWordComm.com. 

About ASD Marketweek:

ASD Market Week brings the world’s widest variety of wholesale lifestyle accessories and general merchandise together into one easy-to-shop show for retailers. In addition to featuring close to 2,600 vendors, ASD Marketweek will also provide four days of free retail education and e-commerce strategy sessions, giving retail attendees a chance to sharpen their industry knowledge and stay up-to-date on emerging trends. For any company wanting to learn how to quickly take their brick-and-mortar shop online and find the right inventory to carry, all under one roof, ASD Marketweek is a must-attend event. According to TSE Gold 100 list, ASD Marktweek is the 15^th largest show in the United States.

ASD Marketweek is one of 90 premier trade events owned and operated by Emerald Expositions, a leading producer of large business-to-business trade events. Emerald Expositions, based in San Juan Capistrano, California, produces shows and conference events globally that connect more than 525,000 buyers and sellers across nine diversified end-markets. Markets covered include general merchandise, sports, hospitality and retail design, jewelry, photography, decorated apparel, building, heath care and military.

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