The freezing cold winter in New York didn't keep attendees from visiting three major trade shows held at the Javits Convention Center in January. Vying for parking spaces was the challenge of the day as buyers came into New York for the Motorcycle Show, NYT Travel Expo and our own industry's Value Price Merchandise Expo.

The Value Price Expo has been one of the few remaining shows in the NY tri-state area and brought in buyers from New York City and the surrounding suburbs and states. The show's intimate setting at the lower level of the Convention Center allowed the exhibitors to interact with the buyers in attendance.

This is much more of a regional show and frequented by wholesalers who service the tri-state market. Regulars like 79 South China, Conklin and JR Hosiery have been long-time supporters of this event and exhibit each time the show comes to town.

I visited the show on Sunday aftermoon and was able to see some order writing and interested buyers talking with exhibitors. It was a warm-up for me and Forum Publishing as we embark on our most aggressive show distribution ever - with 54 trade shows scheduled to distribute our wholesale merchandise magazines this year. Plus I'll start to get back into shape for the big Vegas show coming up in a couple of months!