Last week was the National Hardware Show so our trade show team left Illinois for Las Vegas, just in time for the first 3 digit heat in the area in 2018. We took the first night in the city to walk the strip; we passed New York New York, we waved to the giant coke bottle, and we watched the fountain show at the Bellagio.
However, we didn’t come to vacation, we came to work so at 9AM the next day, we had coffee in hand and were ready to meet new people and to see interesting products. We split up and walked among the 2,800+ exhibitors with much enthusiasm! I got to see product demos, such as RMR Rapid Mold Remover which really was almost instant, and met several professionals that were so passionate about their work. Starting from 70 degrees and quickly climbing to 101 degrees I was never so thankful that an event was inside! That is until lunch time: food trucks were outside, but of course there were fans everywhere so people could eat without melting! It was definitely important to stay hydrated! While some drank water throughput the day, others waited until happy hour started at 3PM to drink… water…
On the second day I spent most of my time in the Lawn and Garden area which was full of beautiful decor and sparkling outdoor lights. I sampled some nice smelling bug spray and got to just sit and chat with a fellow professional about our lives. Everything seemed so much more peaceful in the garden area than in the hardware area. Around 2PM I met up with my colleague and we went to visited the inventors’ spotlight where inventors showcased their ideas to Home Depot; we saw some wonderful presentations! We witnessed funny, yet informed people who showed determination and, above all, innovation.
All in all we had a good trip and even though it was hot, we stayed hydrated and kept our smiles! I am excited to do business with everyone we met and sorry for the ones we didn’t get to meet this time. Every exhibitor that I met with was so nice and helpful; they reminded me once again that professionals are humans just like us even if, in movies, they don’t seem real. I can personally testify that the people who sell latex gloves and bird feed are humans who also melt in the Las Vegas sun!
