INFORMATION FOR HMA MEMBERS & EXHIBITORS
March 31, 2015
Latest update: Less than one year until your show! - SIGN UP TODAY!
The HMA’s next show will be March 11-13, 2016 at the New Jersey Expo Center in Edison, New Jersey. EVERY HMA
MEMBER COMPANY WILL RECEIVE FREE BOOTH SPACE AT THE SHOW. Your show will have a dedicated trade day
and trade hours. All members of the trade will be invited to attend free of charge.
Your show will present the finest the industry has to offer to over 20,000 consumers in the Nation’s most populous metropolitan
area. You will have the opportunity to meet many new east coast retailers who haven’t traveled to iHobby Expo in Chicago. Your show is close to the major New York airports, major expressways and only 40 minutes to all the attractions
that Manhattan offers. The area offers a variety of hotels starting at only $75 per night.
Attendees will love the plentiful free parking, while exhibitors will enjoy a facility free of onerous union work rules. The New Jersey Expo Centers offers over 130,000 sqft. of exhibit space. We have the option of occupying any amount of that space from
30,000 to 130,000 sqft. We just need to determine how much space no later than June 1, 2015. Every HMA member is receiving
a 5’x5’ exhibit booth at no charge, but we know many exhibitors will want larger booths like 10’x10’s, 10’x20’, 20’x20’s and
even 20’x50’s. In order to make sure we reserve the correct amount of exhibit space in the
hall we are asking every HMA member to register using the form on the show website at
In This Issue
www.HMAshow.com/Exhibitor.html. This way we can make sure every HMA member
•Latest Updates
gets the exhibit space they want. Exhibitors may bring an attraction (i.e. Flying cage, race
track, train layout) and receive additional free space for that attraction, just send an e-mail to
[email protected] requesting space for the attraction. We are asking every HMA member
to complete the form by May 1, 2015. No payment is required with the form and if you need
to adjust the amount of exhibit space after you have submitted the form, you will be
able to do so without penalty.
•What HMA members &
exhibitors need to know.
•The show benefits.
•Why consumers will attend.
After we know the exhibit space requirements from all of the HMA members, we will draw the floor plan and make it available for
booth selection. If where you are located in your show is important to you, make sure you complete the on-line form as soon as
possible. Booth selection will be done in the order that HMA members completed the form. Those who do not submit the form
will be given a 5’x5’ in the rear of the exhibit hall.
This is your show and there is no reason not to participate, your exhibit space can be free, hotel accommodations are available
starting at $75 per night, the show is only 3 days long reducing your time and cost of being away from the office. The
facility is easily accessible from virtually anywhere in the world. We know that some HMA members are small or even 1 person
companies where the travel and being gone from the office for Friday, Saturday and Sunday may be an obstacle for participation. We have developed two solutions for you. For only $749, we will set up a table at your booth, staff your booth and distribute literature from your booth. If financial conditions are such that even $749 is a hardship for only $199, we will set up
a sign and table with your literature in your booth for self service distribution of your marketing materials and catalogs.
There is no better investment for $199 then having your materials distributed to 20,000 hobbyists who are spending their time
and money to be at the show. In addition you can put your industry materials directly in the hands of hundreds of retailers.
In April we will be posting travel and hotel information to our website HMAshow.com. You can also sign up for our newsletter at
the website to receive all the show updates. Please remember to visit www.HMAshow.com/Exhibitor.html to register for the
show, no payment is required and the sooner you register the higher your priority will be for selecting a booth location at your
show. Please feel free to contact us with questions, comments or concerns about your show at [email protected]. We are
looking forward to you seeing you at the Hobby Industry’s show, your show.
New Jersey Expo Center - Features the number one market in the country, FREE parking and lower exhibitor costs.
1
What is happening with iHobby Expo?
Big changes are coming to the annual show of the Hobby Manufacturers Association. The mission of the show is to promote the model hobby industry. This promotion will target consumers and industry members. Each year the show will select a
specific major metropolitan market and will showcase the industry members and
their products to thousands of consumers. In addition, the event will invite industry
members to participate in product announcements, education and communication
among the industry members. There will be specific hours reserved just for industry members.
The first show with the new format and branding will be on March 11-13, 2016 at
the New Jersey Expo Center in suburban New York. The largest metro area in the
country was selected for the launch of this revamped event. In comparison to the
last location (Suburban Chicago), this metro area has a 135% larger population
and 70% more hobby shops within a 100 mile radius. The goal of the show is to
have every Hobby Manufacturers Association member participate, and to that end,
every member will be given a free booth space to promote their company
and their products.
The show will have a compacted schedule and reduced exhibiting costs compared
to prior iHobby Expo shows. The show intends to create new hobbyists, nurture
existing hobbyists and support all industry members and distribution channel participants. The branding of the show for both consumers and industry members is
being developed.
Question: Why the New
York Metro area? Over
23 million consumers
and massive density of
hobby retailers.
Question: Why in
March? The first quarter
produces the largest
attendance for
consumer shows. We
have taken steps to try
to avoid other major
industry shows.
Where is Edison, NJ?
Edison, New Jersey is the heart of
the Northeast population base.
The New Jersey Expo Center in Edison, New Jersey is only 20 minutes
from Newark Airport. Downton Manhattan and New York City are less
than 45 minutes.
Philadelphia, Allentown and all the
cities within the red circle are less
than 2 hours from the Convention
Center.
Baltimore, Hartford and all the other
cities on the map are only 3 hours
from the convention center
Extensive public transportation is
available in the Northeast Corridor.
2
What HMA members
and exhibitors need
to know
Every HMA member will receive a 5’x5’ booth space at no charge. Exhibitors
may upgrade to a larger size booth for the fees shown in the right column. There
are no significant union regulations and you are free to perform work in your booth
as you see fit.
Decorator services will be available for items like tables, chairs, carpet and display
cases, but your focus should be on your products and engaging the people in your
booth not on building an elaborate booth display. In addition, we have a limited
amount of space available, free of charge, to exhibitors who wish to bring an
operating attraction to stimulate product sales. This includes items like, flying cages, RC race car tracks, rock climbs, slot car tracks and operating
model railroads.
For exhibitors who just don’t have the resources to travel to the show, we will
make a literature distribution service available to you for a modest fee. Your booth
will have your sign, your literature and at your option a staff person from a temporary agency. In this way you can ensure your brand gets exposure to the industry
and the consumer marketplace. This is your industry show and we want to make
sure every member participates in some fashion.
Why you should participate in the show
There are many good reasons to participate in the show. Here are a few of the
major reasons:
Booth Costs
While your first 5’x5’ booth is
FREE for HMA members we
know many exhibitors will want to
upgrade the size of their space.
The cost of upgrading for HMA
members is:
• Upgrade to 5’x10’ - $399
• Upgrade to 10’x10’ - $499
• Upgrade to 10’x20’ - $999
• Upgrade to 10’x30’ - $1499
• Upgrade to 20’x20’ - $1999
• Upgrade to 20’x30 - $2999
• Upgrade to 20’x40’ - $3999
• Upgrade to 20’x50’ - $4999
• Upgrade to 20’x60’ - $5999
The cost for non HMA members is:
• 5’x5’ - $249
• 5’x10’ - $599
• 10’x10’ - $699
• 10’x20’ - $1199
• 10’x30’ - $1699
• 20’x20’ - $2199
• 20’x30 - $3199
• 20’x40’ - $4199
• 20’x50’ - $5199
• 20’x60’ - $6199
• This is the industry’s premier event and every company has a role in promoting this industry, creating new customers and supporting the distribution
channel.
• The show allows you to build your brand recognition to thousands of consumers and hundreds of industry members.
It should be noted that for any
small company it makes sense
to join the HMA as your $230 in
dues would provide you a free
booth for less money than paying the $249 for a 5’x5’ booth.
• The venue is outstanding, offering: free parking, easy access to a variety of
airports, exhibitor friendly work rules, a variety of hotels nearby, and America’s
largest population base.
• In addition to exposing your brand to both serious hobbyists and new customers, you will have exclusive time to network with industry leaders, distributors,
and dealers. You’ll build new relationships, reinforce existing relationships, and
understand where both the industry and your competitors are going. This can
only be done with this kind of face to face meeting.
For reference this represents approximately a 50% price decrease
from recent iHobby Expo shows.
We are committed to providing you
with more value!
• How many opportunities do you have to get thousands of consumers and hundreds of dealers to talk to you in one place at one time?
HMA membership saves you money!
• Best of all your first booth for FREE!
3
Show Schedule
Thursday 3/10/16 AM:
•
Decorator Set up
Thursday 3/10/16 PM:
•
Exhibitor Set –up
planned 1pm-9pm
Friday 3/11/16 9AM-noon:
•
Exhibitor Set-up
•
Industry members educational seminars &
industry events
Friday 3/11/16 noon-6pm:
•
Industry members exclusive hours on show
floor
•
Industry members reception after 6pm
Saturday 3/12/16
•
Industry members exclusive continental
breakfast and hours on
show floor planned 8am
-10am
•
Show open to consumers planned 10am-4pm
Sunday 3/12/16
• Industry members exclusive continental
breakfast and hours on
show floor planned 8am
-10am
•
Show open to consumers planned 10am-4pm
•
Exhibitor Move out
planned 4pm-11pm
A more detailed schedule
will be available in the fall
2015. In addition hotel group
rates and transportation
information will be available
in June 2015. Please check
with our new website
WWW.HMASHOW.COM for
the latest information.
Retailers are important to the show, regardless of where they are located!
Why retailers will attend.
While in a perfect world we would love to have every retailer in North America
attend the show every year, we know that isn’t realistic. We know that many retailers just can’t afford the money and time being away from their store to travel
across the country every year. That is why the show is moving so retailers will
have a show near them every few years. There are hundreds retailers within a 2
hour drive of the show.
Retailers have the option of attending during dedicated trade time on Friday, Saturday and Sunday or they may attend during the consumer hours if that is their
preference. Retailers can take advantage of the following:
•
A chance to network with industry leaders, build new supplier relationships or
enhance relationships with existing suppliers by face to face meetings.
•
Attend one of the HMA sponsored seminars to learn new techniques to improve business.
•
Take advantage of show special offers from select exhibitors.
•
Be among the first to see and experience new products.
•
Meet with peers, discuss common problems and exchange solutions.
•
Provide feedback to your suppliers on how products could be improved and
what could be done to help retailers sell more product.
Why consumers will attend.
Reaching consumers and introducing them to a new hobby or energizing them to
get more deeply involved in their current hobby is the most important aspect of the
show. In order to do this, several things are crucial. First, you need a market and a
venue that will attract consumers. The New Jersey Expo Center has a strong track
record of successful hobby shows including a World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour
train show which attracted over 36,000 people in February 2011.
The second key element is an aggressive advertising campaign. Having promoted
over 1,000 shows, we know how to advertise. You can count on a larger advertising budget than any other model hobby show in the country. We will be utilizing
broadcast TV, radio, newspaper, direct mail, magazine, e-mail, internet and social
media marketing.
The show is scheduled at an ideal time of year to attract consumers, and the
facility offers free parking which is a huge inducement to attend. We will also be
co-locating the show with a successful table top model hobby show and will be
offering a joint admission program to increase the attendance of both shows.
4
What if I don’t have staff to exhibit?
We are announcing two new services to make sure every exhibitor can participate.
While we would love for every HMA member to have an extensive fully staffed
booth at the show, we know that for some companies that is just not an option.
There may be personnel and time constraints that prevent you from being away
for the 3 days of the show. Just because you can't be there, doesn't mean you
need to lose out on the all the benefits of the show including exposure to the trade
and thousands of consumers. We have 2 options for you:
OPTION #1: We will provide you with a person from a temporary services agency
during show hours. This person will distribute your literature and/or display a sample product, answer questions using answers you provide from a frequent asked
questions list and refer people to your website, e-mail or phone number for additional questions. The cost of this service is $749. It includes staffing during all
show hours, plus 30 minutes of set up and take down time, receiving of up to 20
pounds of product and literature, a small table for your booth and a small sign for
your table. Remember since HMA members receive a free 5' x 5' booth your only
cost is the $749 for staffing your booth during the show.
OPTION #2: If financial conditions are such that even $749 is a hardship, for only
$199 you can still get exposure to the trade and thousands of consumers. For
$199 we provide a table and small sign for your booth, we will receive up to 20
pounds of literature, and we will set up your literature for self service distribution at
your booth. There is no better form of advertising or marketing than getting your
product literature in front of thousands of qualified prospects who have spent time
and money to see hobby products.
We believe with these 2 services there is no reason why every HMA member can't
benefit from the promotion and exposure your show provides.
Why this new HMA show incarnation
is better than the old iHobbyExpo
While no approach will please every one, the changes being made will result in a
more successful show for exhibitors, industry members, and consumers. Major
changes and the benefit:
•
•
By moving the show on an annual basis the show will reach new consumers
and build new customers for the industry
Who is managing this show?
The Hobby Manufacturers Association owns the
show and has contracted
Competitive Intelligence
Advertising (CIA Inc.) to
manage the show.
CIA Inc. has substantial
experience in the start up,
operations and marketing
of model hobby shows.
CIA Inc.’s President,
Dave Swanson, has been
responsible for over
1,000 train show since
1972. He founded the
World’s Greatest Hobby
on Tour Show. CIA Inc.
has placed over ten million dollars of advertising
which has resulted in
over one hundred million
advertising impressions.
This update is the third of
many. A fourth update will
be published in early
June 2015.
Our primary communication tool for publishing
information will be our
new website:
HMAshow.com
By providing a free booth for every HMA member and reducing the time and
cost of exhibiting, we have made the show affordable, so it can truly be the
“big tent” for the North American Model Hobby Industry
You can e-mail us at
[email protected]
•
We are focusing on retailers more local to the show, allowing exhibitors to see
new industry members each year as opposed to the same stores every year.
We have also reduced the cost of exhibiting and are competitively priced
compared to consumer or table top shows and are much more affordable
than higher priced trade shows.
CIA Inc.
PO Box 1192
Lombard, IL 60148
Phone: 630-780-6000
FAX:630-214-4113
•
The venue is cost effective, in the nation’s largest market, is easily accessible
for international travel, and offers many hotel alternatives. With liberal work
rules, free parking and a friendly staff, the venue has received very positive
reviews from promoters, exhibitors, and attendees.
5