95924-abouttheshow 

Image courtesy of www.photoplusexpo.com

 

Twenty two years ago I attended my first Photo East, now known as PhotoPlus Expo.  Hasselblad had a 10×10 booth, as just about everybody did.  The show was the dream child of Carl Pugh and became the launching pad for so many concepts in trade show management, marketing, speaking venues etc. 

It was my first New York show and I went in on a Saturday, just for an hour.   After all, it was Saturday, a day off.  Well, I stayed for the entire day.  The booth was mobbed and I guess the rest is history.  I haven’t missed a show since!  At every show I pick up a few new ideas, build my network – the decision to attend is simply a “no-brainer”!

With PhotoPlus Expo just around the corner, October 22-24, this morning’s post is a “thank you” to Carl for having the vision and for PDN having the commitment to keep it going all these years.  The trade show itself has grown and the educational venue has become one of the very best in the industry.   Every year it gets better and better! 

New York isn’t the cheapest place on the planet to visit, but don’t let that scare you.    Don’t miss the  opportunity to attend this year’s PPE when you can stay in New Jersey or even Connecticut.  At least take the train into the city or the ferry from NJ for just one day – it’s going to be a great show and a terrific opportunity to expand your network and pick up a few new ideas.  It’s the largest attended trade show/conference in our industry.

Am I sucking up a little?   Of course I am, but I’m doing it with a whole lot of pride.   As the guest editor for PDN’s Focus on Weddings magazine, due out and online in December, I hope to be involved in a whole series of future endeavors.   Working with the PDN team, I’m excited about everything we’re going to be able to bring to the industry to help photographers build their business, their networks and their resources.

If you haven’t put aside some time to attend PhotoPlus Expo, then look at your calendar right now and circle at least one of the days to get to New York.  Better yet, check out this year’s educational venue and find those programs you feel will help you the most.  This year’s programming includes Greg Gorman, Lou Jones, Bambi Cantrell, Joe Buissink, Julieanne Kost, Cliff Mautner, Dane Sanders, Zach Arias, Tony Corbell, Jay Maisel, Joe McNally, Phil Borges, Michael Grecco and John Paul Caponigro, just to name a few!  Catch that?  “Just to name a few” – this group is only the tip of the iceberg! 

There’s no such thing as too much education.   Plus, there’s simply no way to get bored or waste any time if you’re walking around Javits with 25,000 or more of your counterparts.

Incredible experiences don’t just happen by accident and they can’t happen without your participation.  So – thank you Carl…thank you PDN…and thank you manufacturers/exhibitors for another great opportunity on the horizon.

Just because the media keeps telling us it’s a bad year doesn’t mean it has to be!  See you in New York!