I can’t believe summer is over!  With the leaves changing colors and snow already falling from Colorado to West Virginia, companies are making their final decisions on space configurations.  Usually, at this time, of the year, most companies are calling to decrease their space from their original request, but this year, it seems like many are calling to increase their space from last year–not by lots, but any increase when the show is sold out is a lot!!!!  So, still trying to manipulate the floor plan to give everyone what they want as well as to help out all the new members and as many on the waiting list as possible!  Stay tuned.

We are really excited about how the upcoming show is shaping up, some new things as well as improvement on others!  Project Reclaim will be moving into the Trade Show Hall this year (in the lobby last year)–this area will showcase three emerging and talented designers as they design and create a snow sports jacket from initial design to final product using “reclaimed” materials. They start on opening day and the final winner is selected Saturday evening.  I can’t even imagine trying to design and assemble a jacket in full in three days–and doing it in a trade show crazy environment! 

The Center Food Court will once again be located in the center of the trade show hall but this year, beginning at 5 pm; it will morph into the Center Après Show Lounge each day!  Casual gathering area to grab a beer and meet up with your crew each evening and make the evening plans.  If you don’t have dinner reservations already, someone will be there to give you some recommendations and even make your reservations if you want.

Speaking of the Center Food Court and its popularity with SIA attendees–we were really struggling on what to do and how to expand it so everyone could at least sit and have a “relaxing” moment while eating their breakfast and/or lunch!  Since we are so tight on space, we really could not expand it on the trade show floor–but we knew we needed to get some additional space!  As we were going around and studying all space options at the Colorado Convention Center we decided to expand the Center Food Court to outside of the trade show hall!  The back lobby has stunning views of the mountains and the city, and is a perfect place for all show attendees to take a break and enjoy their food, having a few minutes to escape the trade show floor -a totally different environment- but still not wasting the limited amount of show time.  Be sure to check it out–it is located in the back of the hall behind the snowboard section.

If you haven’t started thinking about your hotel reservations for the upcoming show, now is the time to do it.   Our rates begin at $114!   All of the official hotels are excited to be a part of SIA Snow Show 2012–most hotels were able to maintain or even lower their rate from last year.  All of the hotels are walking distance to the Colorado Convention Center–there really is no need for a car in downtown Denver since everything is walkable.  Save your money, having a car in downtown is expensive as most hotels have daily parking fees and you most likely won’t use it during the show.  If you find out you do need to go somewhere, there are plenty of cabs and your cab fare will be less than your daily parking fee!

As new things develop on the show, we will let you know.  And always, if you have any specific questions and/or concerns please let me or any of us at SIA know- we will be glad to help.

- Debbie (Director of Trade Show)