It’s That Time of Year … Orlando Convention Center Gets Busy!
It’s that time of year again as over the next few weeks convention after convention comes to Orlando!
Starting this week the Surf Expo hits town from 14th to 16th January and it’s a show that brings together some of the top people in that industry. The Surf Expo is held twice a year, in January and September at the Orange County Convention Center on International Drive in Orlando and is a Trade Only event with exhibitors from the Surf, Skate, Stand Up Paddle, Parasail, Swim, Boutique, Resort, Souvenir & Gift Industries.
Although the public aren’t allowed to attend, there will be many new products launched at this show that will be hitting specialty stores in time for the Spring and Summer months. In all, Surf Expo features approximately 2,000 booths of apparel and hard goods and a full line-up of special events, including fashion shows, annual awards ceremonies, and demos.
Also hitting the Orlando Convention Center this weekend from Friday 13th January to Sunday 15th is the Orlando Spring Home & Garden Show. This is Central Florida’s largest Home and Garden Show and it also features the Orlando Boat Show. Making a guest appearance will be HGTV’s R. Brandon Johnson, pictured above, who happens to be the co-star with show host Gary Wilde on the Disney Channel original series Shake It Up.
The show has over 400 exhibits and opens 10am to 8pm Friday and Saturday, 10am to 6pm on Sunday.
Starting on 21st January through 23rd January is the Orlando Gift Show.This is the place that retailers come to see best selling designs and the newest introductions from major manufacturers. The show sees products in virtually every product category being offered, including generl giftware, home and garden accents, gourmet gifts, party and paper goods, tabletop, holiday/seasonal, collectibles, souvenir/resort merchandise, stationery, bed, bath, linen and a while lot more!
Perhaps one of the most popular and most eagerly awaited shows each year is the PGA Merchandise Show. This is another closed to the public show but it has now evolved into a comprehensive multi-purpose business platform since its roots in parking lots back in 1954. In addition to nearly 1000+ vendors representing every business sector of golf from market leaders to start-up companies, golf industry leaders will address key issues; attend timely education seminars and share relevant best practices; new golf employment initiatives will be launched; and professional networking will build important relationships.
Moving into February, sees the International Builders Show come to town. This show is where over 50,000 building industry professionals get to meet with nearly 800 of the top industry suppliers. There are over 165 education sessions covering every possible industry topic and it’s a place where the industry gets the chance to tour The New American Home for a glimpse into the future of residential construction. This year also sees Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke address the industry while attendees will also get to enjoy world-famous magicians Penn & Teller plus Aron Ralston, whose amazing story of bravery was made famous in the acclaimed movie 127 Hours, during the Grand Opening Ceremonies.
All this goes to prove that Orlando is indeed, the place to do business. Why? Well, we’d hazard a guess that with everyone else in the nation suffering from the cold weather not to mention the snow, Orlando is the one place you can be sure of great weather and the chance to bring your family for some fun and sun while escaping for a few days.
And here at Florida Leisure… we look forward to meeting some old friends again and also to meeting some new folks as they check into their Florida Leisure “home away from home” vacation / business rental. If you’ve never considered renting a vacation home for a business trip or a business retreat… check this out… http://businessretreatideas.com/
