Down economy or not, it’s always a good idea to invest in the success of your business. And The NBM Show, hosted by A&E, Printwear and Sign & Digital Graphics magazines, is the ideal venue for industry professionals who wish to improve their businesses on all levels. Staying true to its reputation, the 2009 NBM Show once again helped attendees improve productivity and profitability, while presenting new business opportunities they may never have considered.

EXPLORING THE EXHIBIT HALL                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          With an ambitious six-show schedule, these industry-leading trade publications presented The NBM Show in Fort Worth, Texas; Indianapolis; Long Beach, Calif.; Baltimore; Tampa, Fla.; and Charlotte, N.C. The NBM Show allowed attendees to discover the latest products and market trends in the exhibit hall and interact with some of the industry’s leading suppliers.

Roland DGA, for instance, debuted its VersaCAMM and AdvancedJET “i” series of inkjets as well as its EGX-30A entry-level engraver and EGX-360 gift engraver. With all of Roland’s products available on the show floor, Laurie Weller, marketing communications manager, believes business owners could explore other industry segments.

“In particular, we saw interest in Roland products designed to help shop owners explore new business opportunities, including R-Wear custom apparel decoration solutions and the EGX line of engravers for ADA signage, awards, gifts and more,” Weller says.

Product demonstrations weren’t the only attendee perk. Up to 12 attendees at each show were randomly selected to win a $500 voucher that could be spent with any exhibitor. Whether purchasing large machinery or everyday materials, winners used this prize to help develop their businesses.

David Davila, partner of R&D Printing and Design, bought a sublimation printer from Condé Systems with his $500 voucher. R&D Printing and Design primarily focuses on outdoor signage, but Davila used his voucher as an opportunity to explore another market. With this sublimation printer, Davila says his company can produce more promotional products.

“The main portion of our business is outdoor signage, and it’s established, so we want to offer more options for our clients and create more revenue,” Davila says.

Even with a slow economy, Larry Powenski, owner of Denver Sign Supply, was pleased with the overall size of the shows, which he says was beneficial to the attendees.

“We were able to spend a lot of time with the attendees to find out exactly what their business needs are and how we can help them. It really allowed us to provide great customer service,” Powenski says.

EDUCATION CONFERENCE HELPS BUSINESS GROWTH                                                                                                                                                                                                   In conjunction with the exhibit hall, The NBM Show offered a comprehensive education conference, featuring more than 30 seminars at each event.

For example, “The Sublimation Workshop: Live and Hands On!” gave participants the chance to improve their sublimation skills with a live-application approach. Instructor John Barker, sublimation specialist of Johnson Plastics, says the class has evolved over the years to focus on the actual sublimation process, rather than theory.

“The attendees want hands-on instruction. They don’t want to read about concept. Instead, they want to see what it’s actually like. So there’s a brief introduction, and then we print live and press as many products as we can at two stations during the workshop,” Barker says.

The education conference was more than just shop tips and tricks, though. A large number of seminars focused on profitable business development. Jay Busselle, an instructor and general manager of Digital Art Solutions, believes it’s important that attendees take advantage of the classes to encourage business growth.

“Can you afford to be average?” Busselle asks. “By attending education seminars, you are investing in yourself and your business. You can take one new idea and literally change the course of your business, and that’s why education is so valuable.”

As one of the featured instructors, Vince DiCecco, owner of YourPERSONALBusinessTRAINER, focused on successful business practices. He says if attendees leave his seminar learning one useful business tip, it could be enough to recuperate the full cost of the education package. And with more educated professionals in the field, DiCecco finds the whole market benefits.

“When I see attendees achieving goals and using the tips and techniques I teach, it’s rewarding from that standpoint,” DiCecco says. “But it also strengthens the entire industry when you have wise business owners who are investing time and effort.”

LOOKING AHEAD                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    With the 2009 season under wraps, it’s time to start planning your 2010 trade show excursions. Next year, The NBM Show visits four cities: Fort Worth, May 6 to 8; Indianapolis, June 3 to 5; Long Beach, Aug. 12 to 14; and Charlotte, Nov. 4 to 6. And given this year’s successful trade show season, exhibitors are looking forward to serving NBM Show attendees next year.

“We plan on being back. The products we presented fit the clientele well, and we believe 2010 will be better than 2009,” says Steve Benedict, channel sales manager for East Coast dealers of Graphics One.