eBabyShop, a companion newsletter to Baby Shop Magazine

Trade Show Information

ABC Kids Expo
JPMA

Kind + Jugend

ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas Already Shows
Big Growth for 2007 Show
Record sales of exhibit space and change in show admittance policy
combine to produce what will be a powerful September event

San Antonio, TX (January 3, 2007) – The ABC Kids Expo— the principal and premier juvenile products trade show in the nation — has announced that they are nearing a sell-out of all exhibit space for their annual trade show, despite already increasing show square footage late last year by approximately 35%.

This year's show will be held September 7 - 10, 2007 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and will cover a record 700,000 square feet with projected attendance expected to exceed 10,000. Currently, more than 750 exhibitors have rented booth space for the popular show, which continues to rank in the top 200 trade shows in size in North America as well as one of the Fastest 50 growing shows in the nation, according to industry publication Trade Show Week.

Show policy has changed for the 2007 show and now all retailers are welcome to attend the show on September 9-10, 2007. The first 2 days of the show remain open to independently owned specialty stores only, which remains the focus of the show (see related Press Release on
All Baby & Child).

Exhibitor information and registration for the 2007 show is currently available online at: www.theabcshow.com. Registration for retailers, media and representatives will also be available online shortly.

All Baby & Child, Inc. is a non-profit public benefit corporation and the ABC Kids Expo is a partnership of juvenile products manufacturers and independent specialty store retailers organized for the purpose of promoting the children's products industry.

The ABC Kids Expo is a private trade show for the juvenile products industry and is not open to the general public.

The ABC Kids Expo Center:

ABC Kids Exp Hotline: (210) 691-4848
ABC Kids Expo FAX: (210) 691-4849
ABC Kids Expo E-Mail: info@theabcshow.com
ABC Kids Expo Website: www.theabcshow.com

ABC Kids Advertising Launch Nears

Next month kicks off the much anticipated launch of the marketing and advertising initiative, designed to drive traffic into independent stores nationwide.

All Baby & Child, Inc., the parent company of the Las Vegas based ABC Kids Expo, announced that it will begin it's consumer advertising campaign in Fit Pregnancy magazine along with the launch of it's consumer website. The advertising is designed to drive traffic to the website, which in turn will direct consumers to certified juvenile products specialty stores. The first industry-wide campaign of this magnitude will help specialty stores compete more aggressively with added national exposure and a goal of attracting consumers to their stores early and keep them coming back often.

Over 100 stores are currently set to participate in the program with hundreds more expected to sign up for the program.

For further information on the program, specialty store retailers are urged to contact:

All Baby & Child: (210) 691-4848
or by e-mail: membership@allbabyandchildstores.com

2007 International JPMA Show Registration Available Now!

Registration for the 2007 International JPMA Show is now available online at www.jpma.org! The printed brochure is in the mail, but don't wait until it arrives to register and secure your housing for this premier industry event of the year!

Online registration is quick and convenient, and available TODAY! To register, log on to the JPMA website (www.jpma.org), and click on the 2007 Show Information link. It's that simple!

Make your hotel reservations online too! Once you've finished registering for the Show, check out the hotel information and secure your hotel reservations today. To ensure availability at the hotel of your choice, make your reservations now!

Please feel free to contact JPMA should you have any questions. See you in Orlando!

JPMA Show Features leading Companies in the Industry
More Than 75% of Exhibit Space Already Sold
for the 2007 International Event

MOUNT LAUREL, NJ, DECEMBER 19, 2006 –The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association's (JPMA) 2007 International Show is still four months away, but already more than 75% of exhibit space has been sold! Nearly 250 juvenile product companies from across the globe have contracted to be a part of the premier juvenile products industry event this spring.

The 2007 International JPMA Show will be held Monday, April 23–Wednesday, April 25 in the South Complex of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, USA. In addition to the more than 400 leading manufacturers and hundreds of new and innovative product introductions expected, this year's Show will offer new and exciting seminar topics featuring leading industry representative speakers, the return of the Table Top Exhibit area for first time exhibitors, Student Design Competition display, and of course the ever popular top 10 hottest products from the Innovation Awards Competition.

New this year, JPMA is pleased to present the "Modern Child" exhibit. This special section on the Show floor is designed to showcase the growing trends in innovation, and well designed products that embody modern aesthetics and high functionality within the juvenile industry.

In addition to a great trade show, JPMA also offers free educational sessions designed to provide insight and tools to make every business more profitable. A recent addition to the lineup is: What's So Special about Specialty Stores Anymore? How to Win Loyal Customers and Differentiate Yourself in Today's Retail Environment presented by Gregory Panos, co-founder of V Sales Co. and Euro-Baby. Greg compares customer needs to commodity selling, provides valuable advice for implementing customer needs-driven methods into store operations, and offers helpful hints for utilizing all forms of marketing available.

The International JPMA Show debuted in 1968 in New York City and was host to 17 exhibitors. In 1981, the Show moved to Dallas, Texas where it was anchored for nearly 23 years. Based on industry feedback, JPMA decided to move the Show in 2005 to Orlando, Florida to stay in-line with current industry demand. The International JPMA Show is the only show that represents all segments of the prenatal to preschool market- small and large – while providing free educational opportunities to better the industry. This trade show is closed to the general public.

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association is a national trade organization of more than 300 companies in the United States, Canada and Mexico. These companies manufacture and/or import infant products such as cribs, car seats, strollers, bedding, and a wide range of accessories and decorative items.

View a list of exhibitors contracted to date.

For more information about JPMA contact: 15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054; phone: 856-638-0420; fax: 856-439-0525; e-mail jpma@ahint.com or visit the Web site at www.jpma.org.

Growth registered in all key areas: Kind + Jugend, the international trade fair for children's outfitting, exceeds all expectations

Innovation Award presented in recognition of outstanding new products and enhancements of existing products

Debut of the Marketplace of Information, a safety forum conceived especially for the fair

"The significant increases in visitor turnout and the number of exhibitors, the fair's even more international scope and its larger exhibition space all prove that Kind + Jugend is the most attractive event for the children's outfitting sector," concluded Oliver P. Kuhrt, Koelnmesse Executive Vice President, in his remarks about the world's largest trade fair for the children's outfitting sector, which ended in Cologne on 17th September after three days of impressive success. Approximately 13,500 trade visitors from 95 countries (2005: about 12,000 trade visitors from 78 countries) came to the fair to learn about trends and new products at the stands of 645 suppliers (2005: 561 companies) from 41 countries. It's a clear consensus: Kind + Jugend has again generated strong momentum for the sector's global trade. "With 78 per cent of the exhibiting companies located outside of Germany and 75 per cent of the trade visitors being from abroad, Kind + Jugend has once again become even more important as an international hub for the trade in children's outfitting products. The innovations for the ‘smallest consumers' that were discovered in Cologne will now be marketed around the world," emphasised Kuhrt. The international product range presented at Kind + Jugend this year included children's furniture, safety seats, prams and buggies, textile outfittings, hygiene items, toys and games, electronic products for babies, fashions for babies and toddlers, and maternity wear.

Kind + Jugend proved to be a powerful attraction for trade visitors this year. Compared to the previous event, the total number of visitors was up by more than 12 per cent, including significantly higher turnout by trade visitors from northern and eastern Europe and from overseas.

In terms of exhibitors, the share of exhibiting companies from abroad was up compared to the previous fair — (+5 per cent) to 78 percent and a total of 503 companies (with 142 suppliers from Germany). Kind + Jugend occupied a gross exhibition space of approximately 66,000 m2 in Halls 10.1, 10.2 and 11.2 — about 10,000 m2 more space (up nearly 20 per cent) than at the previous event. With this result, the 2006 fair went into the record book as the biggest Kind + Jugend ever held.

The numerous innovations, very strong visitor turnout and lively business conducted at the stands ensured very high spirits for all Kind + Jugend participants. In addition to being more than satisfied with the results of the fair, the majority of exhibitors voiced high praise for the trade visitors' credentials as high-ranking decision-makers and the excellent volume of orders placed during the event "For our company, it was the best Kind + Jugend ever. This is the event that attracts the entire global sector," concluded Martin Pos, head of CYBEX Industrial Ltd.

Results were particularly impressive for exhibitors of children's furniture, who this year attracted even greater numbers of trade visitors from retail furniture outlets and specialist furniture stores. "The overall mood is very positive," said a delighted Dr. Martin Funcke, head of Pinolino Kinderträume GmbH. "We established excellent contacts with business associates from Germany and abroad, and we're very satisfied with the volume of orders we booked. Kind + Jugend is simply the sector's most important trade fair."

What's more, the initial results of the visitor survey show that interest in toys and games for children up to three years of age, in particular, was up this year at Kind + Jugend. And the strong demand was confirmed by the exhibitors. "As a first-time exhibitor at this fair, I can say that Kind + Jugend surpassed all of our expectations. We made many promising business contacts with associates from around the world, and we'll definitely be returning in 2007," said Ryan Gunnigle, CEO of Kids II, Inc.

The success of this year's Kind + Jugend leads the exhibitors to conclude that the sector is enjoying an upturn. "The fair showed that the overall mood in the sector, and especially on the German market, is much more optimistic. Our impression is that we can expect strong upward momentum," reported Heinz Scheben, head of Heinrich Geuther GmbH & Co. KG.

A broad spectrum of innovations – the trends at Kind + Jugend
From baby sleeping bags that use modern aerospace technology to prevent heat accumulation, to small digital baby phones that can be worn on the wrist, to children's clothing made water-repellent and dirt-repellent by an innovative surface treatment — the very latest technologies were clear to see in product development in all areas. Even multimedia products for children are set to continue their popularity with consumers in the future: In addition to prams and baby rockers with iPod connections for children's individualised listening enjoyment, for example, a safety seat with an integrated entertainment system to keep children contented during long, boring car trips was also presented. The system is conceived not only to provide entertainment, but also to foster the development of babies' and toddlers' cognitive and learning skills. In the development of prams and buggies, the most important criteria were safety, ride comfort and mobility. Examples of this trend included a new type of travel system with a wide range of possible combinations and extremely easy handling, and another pram with a height-adjustable frame — which is not only easy on the parents' backs, but also ensures that children are not exposed to as much exhaust gas, thanks to the higher sitting position. Safety was the defining topic for child car seats. Special models with improved side impact protection, but also restraint systems and seats which optimally support all of the child's body parts, were presented by numerous suppliers. Furniture that grows with the child, or can later be used for a different purpose, continues to be in demand in the children's furniture segment.

"Kind + Jugend Innovation Award" — the highlight of the fair's first day
Following last year's successful premiere, the Kind + Jugend Innovation Award was once again pleased to be the subject of undiminished attention. This year, about 100 hundred companies had once again applied to participate in the competition, which celebrates the innovative power of the sector and offers a special boost for new ideas and the continued development of high-quality products. So the presentation ceremony for the award, which took place as part of the official trade fair opening ceremony on Friday, 15th September, in the presence of many exhibitors, trade visitors and media representatives, was a real highlight of Kind + Jugend.

The winners of the "Kind + Jugend Innovation Award 2006" are:

World of the Mobile Baby — prams and accessories
Prokids International – "ENGLACHA" – pram
World of Baby Safety — safety seats and accessories
CYBEX Industrial Ltd. – "CYBEX ZERONE" – child safety seat
World of Baby Furniture & Textiles — children's furniture, textile outfittings and accessories
BloomTM – an iLinko Group Brand –"Fresco BloomTM" – high chair
World of Baby Care — hygiene products, electrical appliances and accessories
Nürnberg Gummi GmbH & Co. KG – "Cool Twister" – water cooler for ensuring that babies' bottles are at the exactly correct temperature
World of Baby Toys — toys for babies and toddlers
Maitz Products KEG – "MöÖB" – mobility building blocks

Trade profited from Marketplace of Information
Trade visitors who wanted to do more than see new products and maintain business relationships also profited from the premiere of the Marketplace of Information — a platform on the topic of child safety in the car and in the home. Held under the motto "Safety for Boosting Sales," it offered interested visitors information on how the trade can increase sales by means of expert advice on questions of safety. In view of the topic's relevance, the Marketplace of Information is to be established as a regular feature of Kind + Jugend.

Planning for Kind + Jugend 2007 is already underway at full speed. "As a result of the large crowds of visitors and on the wish of the sector, the next Kind + Jugend will open its doors on the Thursday, which means it will be extended to four days," said Oliver P. Kuhrt. "In order to offer the growing numbers of exhibitors even more space, we will extend the available exhibition space once again, and also occupy Hall 11.1."

Kind + Jugend in figures:
A total of 645 companies from 41 countries (78 per cent from abroad) participated in Kind + Jugend 2006, occupying a gross exhibition space of 66,000 m². The participants included 133 exhibitors and nine additionally represented companies from Germany as well as 479 exhibitors and 24 additionally represented companies from abroad. Including estimates for the last day of the fair, Kind + Jugend 2006 attracted about 13,500 trade visitors from 95 countries, including approximately 10,100 from abroad.

Further information on Kind + Jugend and the range of services available can be found at www.kindundjugend.de

Feature Article | Did You Know? | Meet The Maker | Trade Show Info | Baby Buzz

A Spindle Publishing Company, Inc. Production
Subscribe | Unsubscribe