Largest Expo Ever: 2000 Expo Preview

© 2000 Door & Access Systems
Publish Date: Spring 2000
Author: Tom Wadsworth
Page 36

Largest Expo Ever
2000 Expo Preview

This year’s International Garage Door Expo is expected to be the largest ever. Located in the vibrant, sparkling city of Las Vegas, the exposition runs from Wednesday, April 26 through Saturday, April 29.

"This is the finest Expo we’ve ever produced," added Chris Long, executive director of IDA. "We can beat to death the significance of the year 2000, but this really is an exciting Expo."

Accreditation testing is offered on Wednesday when about 20 dealers are expected to participate. The Institute for Door Dealer Education and Accreditation (IDEA) can accept last minute testing reservations, but you must call 828-261-0625 or fax 828-261-0875 immediately.

Thursday is Educational Day, featuring more than two dozen seminars on a variety of current topics. The exhibits will open on April 28, running from 10:30 – 5:30 on Friday and Saturday at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

"In terms of floor space sold, this is our largest Expo ever," said Ed Niit of Framingham, Mass., chairman of the International Door Association (IDA) Expo committee.

To catch a quick glimpse of the highlights of this year’s event, we talked with Niit, Long, and with Jim Kelly, president of IDEA, which is responsible for all educational programming.

What’s different about this year’s show?
Niit: This year, dealers can participate in the largest lottery drawing we’ve ever had. Since we’re located in the entertainment capital of the world, we dropped the expensive big-name concert. Instead, we put that money into prizes for a lottery drawing for $50,000-worth of prizes, including a pickup truck. The goal is to keep attendees on the Expo floor.

What are the newest seminars this year?
Kelly: On Thursday, our newest programs include a special Business Succession Planning seminar, a UL 325 workshop, and How to Automate Your Dealership. Also on Thursday, IDEA will unveil the new Residential Installer Training and Certification program. We expect it to have a major impact on the industry. One completely new program will be Operator Troubleshooting workshops on the trade show floor on Friday and Saturday.

What popular seminars are returning?
Kelly: The Mock Trail, sponsored by DASMA, will return for a special repeat performance. Also, Gary Lombard's popular workshop on Sectional Door Installations - Special Applications has been enhanced; it is now an advanced workshop for experienced installers.

What are the top reasons to attend this year?
Niit: It’s an opportunity to take part in the largest gathering of your peers in North America.
Long: Educational programming, the exhibits, and networking. Those three items will put money in your pocket come Monday morning after the Expo. Nowhere else can a door dealer go and spend three days at that cost and receive that kind of educational value.


SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Wed. Apr. 26
Free Day
Golf, IDEA Testing, Welcome

Thu. Apr. 27
Educational Day
Seminars, Registration, Awards

Fri. Apr. 28
Exhibit Day
Opening Session, Keynote, Exhibits

Sat. Apr. 29
Exhibit Day/Workshops
Exhibits, Workshops, Party/Prizes