...that toddlin' town...

The Incentive Market (or the amalgam of retailers, suppliers, and so forth that passes for it these days) will convene next week in Chicago for The Motivation Show. As we gather for three fabulous days of tired feet, too much alcohol and outrageous hotel prices, we put on our happiest Happy Faces to discuss the market. To wit:

• Two months ago we had 1/2 of a magazine dedicated to the "Incentive" business. Now, we've got 2 1/2, if you count (and I do) the newly-announced IMA "publication" (don't call it a "magazine") and Paul Hennessy's Premium Incentive Product Magazine. I guess I missed the press release outlining the huge increases in ad budgets...



• Everyone's holding their collective breath to see what impact Amazon will have in the market. They're big, they've got lots of equity with the end-user, and they don't charge to ship a lot of the items they carry. Cue the minor chords and the lightning flashes...



• I said in a blog post a year or so ago that Chicago was showing the same sclerotic signs that New York showed and that the long-term prognosis for the show was unclear. When you walk the aisles next week, look at the square footage assigned for Merchandise, Gift Cards, Promotional Products, and Incentive Travel and compare/contrast it to only 3 years ago.



• Speaking of Promotional Products (and 3 years ago) there has been a 3-year downtrend in attendance by distributors in Chicago. It will be interesting to see if that continues this year. If they were being replaced by more end-users that's one thing, but I'll believe that when I see it...



• You may notice some Promotional Products people wandering about the Hall taking notes and asking all sorts of questions. They're part of an experiential learning program PPAI is running during the show--the attendees will be asked to develop an incentive program that will be assessed by Incentive Professionals. Be nice to them-answer their questions and help--they may be your customers soon!

And exactly what does "toddlin' town" mean, and why is that a good thing???

Stop by and see me--Samsonite's in booth 4260 and barring a medical emergency I'll be there-I never eat, sit, or leave during trade shows (something Tom Peters taught me)...

Pete