Affil./Assoc show will blow into Chicago

Drug Store News, July 24, 1989 by David Vaczek

Affil./Assoc show will blow into Chicago

NEW YORK -- Take New York...please.

That was the reaction from retailers and vendors who are applauding Affiliated/Associated Drug Stores' announcement that the 1990 spring buying show will be in Chicago.

The move is stunning, since this will be the first time in all its years that Affiliated/Associated or its separate predecessor organizations has held a buying show outside the Big Apple. The spring exhibition will be March 30 to April 4 at the Chicago Hilton and Towers.

Hosting at least one of the buying group's two buying shows elsewhere has been discussed for some time president Phil Weinstein told Drug Store News. Affiliated members have felt that a heartland-based show would attract new regional vendors, and relieve the strain New York City places on members' pocketbooks and nerves.

"New York is a very uncomfortable place. For 22 years I've been going to the Associated and Affiliated meetings and I have always dreaded it," said David Marks, president of D.M. Merchandising, the Chicago-based promotional jewelry company. He said members attending the spring show in Chicago will be pleasantly surprised to find rooms for about $90 near the downtown.

Central location needed

Chicago is "more centrally-located, and New York is a hassle. I've been suggesting this for the last 10 years," said Mel Rosenthal, president of M.R.G. & Associates, of South Barrington, Ill., a maker of music products, sunglasses and promotional items.

Rosenthal said he expects to get better access to small regional retailers who have avoided New York.

Some retail chain members were no less enthusiastic about the move.

"Anywhere in the country is going to be better than New York," declared one merchandiser at an East Coast drug chain. New York is "an exhilarating place to do business, no question about that. But it can be a more leisurely experience in another city," he added.

Bill Vidmar, vp-marketing at Snyder's Drugs, of Minnetonka, Minn., said the out-of-New York show should bring in new vendors. "A new environment should be refreshing" for the members, he added.

Weinstein is anticipating more retailer and vendor participation in what will be Affiliated/Associated's second booth-format show. The show will host up to 200 vendors at the Conrad Hilton compared to 160 that fit into New York's Sheraton Centre last spring.

The group's fall show will remain a combination booth-room format in New York.

Although the out-of-town shift has elicited strong support from members, Weinstein notes that not everyone is wholeheartedly behind the change. "I'm sure some New York-based suppliers may not attend," Weinstein said. Some might just scale back.

George Denmark, owner of Denmark Drugs in eastern Massachusetts, expects that costs will cause him to send fewer people to the Chicago show. "Chicago is expensive to travel to. It's hard to get decent rates," said Denmark.

Nevertheless, Denmark empathizes with the prevalent mood. "It will attract some of the smaller local chains. I would think (a regional show) would be good," he said.