Largest ever SHOPA show in New Orleans

DAYTON, OH-The ninth annual International School and Home Office Products Association (SHOPA) Show will have many exciting features and hundreds of exhibitors introducing new products to the industry, November 17-20, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA.

More than 580 exhibitors have contracted to display the latest in school, home office, and office products to retail, distribution, and commercial/ contract executives representing major mass retail and commercial channels. Exhibit sales for the 1999 International SHOPA Show have been so strong that this year's event will be the largest SHOPA Show ever. Attendees will be able to view the industry's best and most innovative products in more than 240,000 net square feet of exhibit space. Attendee registration for the Show is also up more than 30 percent versus this time last year.

"There has been such a tremendous interest in coming to the Show from both exhibitors and attendees," said Clem Restaino, SHOPA Board member and Trade Show Council chair. "We've seen significant increases in the number of commercial/contract and international registrants this year, which we anticipate will greatly enhance the buyer traffic in New Orleans."

The 1999 International SHOPA Show hours are as follows:

Wed. Nov. 17, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Thu. Nov. 18, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Fri. Nov. 19, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sat. Nov. 20, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The 1999 International SHOPA Show will highlight the following features and services:

Life Member Reception: On Wednesday November 17, from 5:00 n.m. to 6:30 n.m. in the LaNouvelle Ballroom of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Show attendees will have an opportunity to network with industry partners and honor SHOPA's newest Life Member with a complimentary evening of hors d'oeuvres, fun, and entertainment.

SHOPA Annual Meeting And Foundation Activities Update: Thursday, November 17, will begin with the Annual Meeting, an informative session on the results of the SHOPA Board of Directors election and other Association news and an update on how SHOPAs Foundation is positively impacting education in this country by helping needy students and teachers get the tools and financial resources they need to improve the learning experience. Complimentary hot buffet breakfast will be served beginning at 7:30 a.m. and the program will run from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. in meeting room 245.

International Reception: International attendees are invited to this second annual complimentary reception on Thu. Nov. 17, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the LaNouvelle Ballroom.

New Products Showcase: Some of the newest merchandise from SHOPA Show exhibitors will be displayed in the New Products Showcase, on the Show floor, which also features a "New Products Literature Wall" to provide product information at attendees' fingertips.

SHOPA Show Focus Groups: Live focus group sessions will feature consumers discussing exhibitors' products, allowing manufacturers to see firsthand what consumers think about their products. Retail and distribution executives also have the opportunity to see which products consumers are likely to purchase. Focus groups are planned with elementary, middle, high school, and college-age students, teachers, parents of school-age children, and small office/home office workers.

Membership Services Booth/ Sign-Up Desk: SHOPA staff will answer questions about membership benefits. Nonmembers can investigate SHOPAs benefits and services, as well as join the Association.

Also slated to be available in the Membership Services Booth are:

1-800-DATABASE, provider of the SHOPA Product Database, which provides members a cost efficient service for compiling and managing SKU images and data for a variety of sales, marketing, and retail applications, such as planograms, electronic catalogs, Internet retailing, and more. Representatives will be on hand to demonstrate their new online version of this service, skufinder.com.

Sentry Insurance, the Association's provider of a comprehensive insurance program will be available to answer insurance questions.

Digital Marketing Solutions, an Internet/intranet management agency that serves customers with marketdriven solutions and services, and host of SHOPAs website, will be available to provide information about their database consulting and electronic commerce project management capabilities.

Association Connections, providing SHOPAs newest membership benefit, a discounted freight program to help members with their shipping needs, will be available to explain this money-saving program.

SHOPA Foundation for Educational Excellence Silent Auction: The SHOPA Foundation will hold its fifth annual Silent Auction throughout the Show. Attendees can peruse the bid boards and place bids on great items including autographed sports memorabilia and weekend get-away trips. All proceeds support the Foundation's efforts to help supply tools and resources to needy students and teachers across the country

Manufacturer Representative Lounge: This lounge will be a central meeting place where member manufacturer representatives can rest, have a cup of coffee, and network with each other.