Here’s What You Missed at the First Tradeshow from Shop! Association

THIS PAST APRIL 25-27, 2023, VMSD took part in the inaugural Shop! MarketPlace trade show and conference event at the Palmer Events Center in Austin, Texas. Featuring a range of exhibitors representing materials, lighting, fixtures, mannequins, installation solutions and more, attendees were also treated to a range of educational content and on-floor demonstrations.

The first day was kicked off with an offsite, self-guided walking tour of Austin’s SoCo (South Congress) district and was followed by an opening welcome reception where attendees and exhibitors alike could mix and mingle. After an opening keynote session presented by Joe Lanzisero, former Creative SVP for Walt Disney Imagineering, Murray Kasmenn, Executive Director, Shop! Association; Brad Hera, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Shop! Association and EVP of Sales, Hera Lighting; Christine Baloga, VP, Marketing & Customer Acquisition, SmartWork Media; and VMSD Editor-in-Chief Carly Hagedon, took the stage to conduct an official ribbon cutting before opening the show floor to visitors.

A myriad of educational sessions – featuring Discount Tire, Hershey’s, Loblaws and more – award presentations and SmartTalk sessions took place directly on the show floor for attendees and exhibitors to experience alike.

The evening of April 26 saw a celebration for the Outstanding Merchandising Achievement (OMA) Awards and Global Awards with a ceremony emceed by singer and entertainer Patricia Vonne. (Winners of the Shop! Design Awards are highlighted in this issue – be sure to check out the July/August issue of VMSD highlighting the winners of this year’s OMAs.) Following the OMAs, the much-anticipated PAVE Social took place at the nearby Rustic Tap, featuring live music, cornhole, drinks and delectable small bites.

VMSD honored five booths during the event for their excellence in execution of design. Several VMSD Editorial Advisory Board members in attendance walked the show floor, secretly judging booths that would be awarded during the final day of the show, April 27. Booths that won this year included B+N (#600), Opto (#301), Ryan Scott (#322), VCI/Rose Displays (#500) and Mondo Mannequins/Sellutions (#101).

For more information about Shop! MarketPlace 2024, stay tuned to shopassociation.org, vmsd.com and shop-marketplace.com as we gear up for the next event. Be sure to check out the upcoming July/August issue of VMSD (and vmsd.com) which will feature a more in-depth recap of the event.

PHOTO GALLERY (11 IMAGES)
Five booths were awarded for their excellence in design including B+N, Opto, Ryan Scott (shown previous page), Mondo Mannequins/Sellutions and VCI/Rose Displays. 📷 (Booth awards) Dina Meindl; Smartwork Media