Affiliated/Associated locating shows in cities around the country

Drug Store News, Feb 19, 1990

Affiliated/Associated locating shows in cities around the country

NEW YORK -- When Affiliated/Associated Drug Stores takes its first trade show out-of-town to Chicago this spring, it will be waving so long to New York for some time.

Bowing to members' wishes expressed in a questionnaire last year, the trade group will locate all shows in the near future in cities around the country, vp Doris Fitzell told Drug Store News. "It doesn't mean we won't come back to New York in the next four or five years [for a show]; but right now, in the near future, its strictly out-of-town.

Atlanta first choice

Atlanta, the first preference of respondents, will host the fall show, Oct. 18 to Oct. 21, at the Atlanta Hilton.

AADS committed to Chicago for the March 31-April 3 spring show before the results of the questionnaire could be tabulated. The spring show, at the Chicago Hilton Towers, will host 260 exhibitor booths, up significantly from last year. It will also be in a new format, including as many as four panel discussions, on such key categories as food and beverages, toys, trim-a-tree, and health and beauty aids.

Also, AADS's Super Specials program, which has historically been offered only at the Housewares Show, will be unveiled at the spring AADS show, allowing vendors to offer retailers "super buys."

The spring show will also debut a condensed meeting schedule of two and a half days instead of three, so participants can skip a night's hotel cost.

Among new vendors, or those who are returning after a long absence, will be Panasonic, Harry London Candies, Potpourri Foundry, Bingo, Pollenex, Softsoap Enterprises division of Colgate-Palmolive, and Claxton Bakeries.

AADS president Ed Matteucci has also said he would extend vendor represention at the trade shows in such key categories as consumer electronics and food, and develop new member programs. The spring show will feature progress in these areas, he said.