ABC Kids Expo Completes First Louisville Show - Looks to 10th Anniversary Celebration in 2012

The world’s largest juvenile products trade show held its 9th annual exposition at the Kentucky Exposition Center September 23-26, 2011. Although there was an overall decrease of about 2,200 — due in part to the current economy and the number of retailers who have folded — media, government and special services showed an uptick. The number of exhibitors was about 7% higher than at the 2009 show, and net square footage for exhibit space was 4% above the mean for the last three years.

”Most exhibitors we have talked with had good shows,” said Larry Schur, president of All Baby & Child, Inc., adding that some felt that the show was the best ever in terms of order writing and quality of buyer attendance. International buyer attendance was the second highest in the event’s history with a whopping sixty-two countries represented. Schur also explained that although some found it difficult to get to Louisville and there were the inevitable issues when such a large-scale show is moved to a new venue, retailers indicated that the layout of the show floor by category, all on a single level, made the show easily navigable and was the best in the show’s history.

Virtually every significant manufacturer or distributor of products for infants and small children exhibits at ABC Kids Expo, a private industry event, showcasing their latest products, networking with established customers, and working to land new accounts from retailer attendees. Vendor praise for the 2011 show included kudos for the city and the people working with vendors including the cart service, parking attendants and hotel staff, and the friendly, easy set up and breakdown to the food, lodging and southern hospitality found all over the city.

Many vendors heartily endorsed the show itself describing it as an easy and most efficient way to get introduced and to grow a product line; calling the ABC Kids Expo experience “a bargain”, and observing that meeting foreign distributors in person rather than via Skype was both a thrill and a way to further cement relationships. Other vendors praised the freight service both in and out and the local restaurants as well as the industry party which drew raves.

The experience was neatly summed up by Chet Hong of ZoLi Inc, who pointed out “If you’re considering providing products or services into the juvenile space then the ABC Kids Show is the trade fair you have to attend. The show management group is friendly, approachable and knowledgeable and has created a great environment for vendors and buyers alike to meet and engage.”

The 10th Annual ABC Kids Expo will be held at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville on October 14-17, 2012. Exhibitor registration is already underway, with about half the hall already booked. For registration and information, visit www.theabcshow.com or call the ABC Hotline at (210) 691-4848.

Über Cool Clothes and Accessories

Cribbed from the bright colors and funky atmosphere of her Minneapolis baby stores — once dubbed the hippest in the Midwest by MTV — Lynne Gonsior launched her first wholesale collection, Über Baby Lifestyles at September’s ABC Kids Expo. The line, filled with fun basics in sizes newborn to 12 months, grew out of the private-label collection Lynne developed to give contemporary moms and gift givers a fun, bold alternative. Gonsior brings extensive experience in retail, including stints at Saks, Target and Marshall Fields, to her new venture which focuses on design, her major passion.

The line includes the Posh Purple, Outrageous Orange, Goofy Green and Cheeky Pink signature colors that flow throughout the mix-and-match collection of modal cotton separates offered in solids and Über Swirls, the line’s custom print. Bodies include a printed one-piece, a solid zipper hoodie with print lining, a short-sleeve waffle tee, waffle pants, a Henley bodysuit, two knit dresses — one a halter style — a woven, printed wrap dress, and leather pre-walkers.

For quick changes on the go, show customers the new Über Xtrawear, a three-piece set that includes both a short and long-sleeve T-shirt and pair of pants, all tidily packed in a zippered bag that can be used to tote soiled clothes home. For accessories, offer The Bumble Collection for the Über Baby Lifestyles diaper bag, featuring the line’s custom print.

For your Über shoppers, be sure to look into: www.uberbabylifestyles.com

Taking It Along Was Never So Easy

Shoppers will be thrilled to say good bye to gel ice packs that only last for two hours and switch to Packit, the freezable cooler that stays cold for up to ten hours and is conveniently sized at 8”x10”x5” (8”x5”x2” folded) to fit in the freezer or take on-the-go. Talk about convenience, Packit makes it easy to send a delicious lunch from home filled with foods that parents know their kids will really eat. Not only does Packit keep the contents fresh and tasty, it saves families a ton of cash that may otherwise go to purchasing junk food.

Packit isn’t just for toting lunches. Its handy size makes it ideal for use any time or place where portable food needs to be kept cold. Packit is perfect for so different times and situations: for baby bottles and snacks; at sporting events; hiking and camping; at the beach; or in the car. The pouch is non-toxic, sweat-proof, PVC and lead-free, so customers won’t worry about what comes in contact with the food inside. Designed by moms for moms, this cute coldilocks comes in several delightful designs and colors including orange polka dot and gray plaid so kids can tell their Packit apart. Say farewell to messy lunch boxes and bags — the way to go is with convenient, efficient Packit.

Ready, Set, Packit: www.packit.com

“Night, Night” with Cool, Contemporary Furniture for Kids

Take a look at a very special line of children’s furniture that encourages sensory experiences. For styles that are both innovative and timeless, explore numi numi design that invites shoppers to enjoy unique shapes and forms. Instead of traditional severe bars, crib slats are detailed with designs of growing grass and cut-out patterns. For added sensory input, colorful, durable transparent material is integrated so babies can see the world beyond their crib.

Understanding that most infant and toddler furniture gets outgrown in the blink of an eye, numi numi design products are made to grow with kids for a longer usage span. Numi Numi is the name of a popular Hebrew lullaby and translates into “night, night,” a soothing feeling describing how little ones and families feel surrounded by these sleek, contemporary pieces.

Designs like Funky Forest, Seaweed and Wired will be offered as cribs, changing tables and media storage and will be available in an ebony stain, natural and white. numi numi takes the planet seriously, incorporating non-toxic, water-based lacquers instead of harmful paints; and using LED fixtures that provide more than 45,000 hours of energy into pieces. These eco-friendly lights are dimmable, remain at a cool temperature, consume less energy than traditional lights and do not contain mercury. numi numi design products are proudly made in the USA, ensuring quality control at every step of the manufacturing process.

For organic designs that embrace the environment: www.numinumidesign.com

Furniture That Wants to Have Fun

When is a chair more than a chair? When it’s lightweight, portable and comes decorated with humorous, cartoon-like designs such as the antics of an octopus, penguin or monkey. The multi-functional Melville Chair from Hatched Egg’rs springs from the nimble mind of designer Scott “Egg’r” Anderson, who started work in telecommunications only to realize his passion lay in creating clever furniture and other items for kids. A tot can use a single Melville chair in the ordinary manner; or as a doll crib; or a step stool. Flipped over, the chair morphs into a coloring table. Add another chair and kids have a train or a table and chair. Youngsters love to use all sides of any object, and with this chair, they will.

As if whimsy for chairs wasn’t enough, Hatched Egg’rs also offers a brilliant collection of big wall stickers created on a fabric-style material, hand-cut so they go on the wall with ease and can be applied on virtually any surface like drywall, glass or metal with no damage. There’s no glue residue so stickers can easily be removed and repositioned. Each sticker ships flat on recycled card backing and is wrapped with compost-able shrink wrap for the good of the planet. Sticker designs include many of the entertaining creatures featured on the chairs plus a Coho Salmon for a nod to the Pacific Northwest where this entertaining, functional line is made.

For chairs that offer more than just a seat: www.hatchedeggrs.com

No More Frozen Fingers

Let shoppers get their mitts on a Kidzikoo — the fun way to insulate a sippy cup or baby bottle. This functional koozie, (aka cozy as in “tea-cozy” to grown-up shoppers), is made of neoprene and comes in five colorful, kid-friendly, unisex prints. Wrap a cup or bottle in a holder and see how they keep cold beverages cold and warm ones warm, putting an end to freezing or burning fingers. Another bonus: these koozies soak up condensation so it’s bye-bye to messy, wet rings left on furniture by abandoned cups.

Soft, squishy and pleasant to hold, with a Kidzikoo each child can easily identify his or her cup so there’s no more confusion or shouts of “she has my sippy!” If the cup holder gets soiled, no worries — it pops right in the washer and emerges good as new. For minor stickies, Kidzikoo can even be rinsed out at the kitchen sink. The holders are designed to fit almost every eight to twelve ounce bottle or sippy cup on the market. Just stretch it around the cup, pull it up and it’s good to go. Thanks to the snug fit, kids can’t pry the holder off so cups and bottles remain protected. Kids love to hold their Kidzikoo and adults are delighted to have them do so, thrilled with no-fuss, no muss.

Insulate that boring sippy cup with style: www.mykidzikoo.com

When It’s Time for a Change… On the Go

Consider the diaper bag. How about stocking types that incorporate specific features that directly impact the well-being of babies? The thoughtful folks at Kaya looked into what people use when on the go and there’s a need for a change. The end result? A combination of a modern diaper bag with a highly functional, more heavily padded portable changing pad that provides the same comfort and convenience as is found when changing at home.

The patent-pending Plush Touch resting pad is heavy duty yet compact, and it’s built right into the diaper bag for easy access, storage and transport. The 1” thick soft core padding provides babies with ample comfort and support and can be accessed via a unique changing station compartment alongside the bag. Best of all, it can be used and stowed with one hand!

Kaya diaper bags are made in the USA from the highest quality materials, including 1000 denier Cordura nylon and organic cotton sateen. They’re plenty rugged to allow for lugging around yet still stylish and sophisticated looking. The Pacific Heights collection incorporates popular designer prints to keep moms in sync with the latest trends in fashion. With five exterior storage pockets, five interior storage pockets and two insulated bottle pockets, the Pacific Heights Collection has ample room to tote all of baby’s essentials.

The Sedona Series diaper bags are a great choice for active families; are made with a durable Cordura nylon exterior shell and boast rustic colors like bright orange, raven and blueskies, all inspired by the beauty of the great outdoors.

Kaya recently introduced the Pack & Lay Infant Lounger that fits snugly around the original Kaya resting pad to create a larger, even more comfortable rest stop for babies. Plush padded side walls can be configured into a cozy mini-bassinet or folded down when baby needs tummy or play time. The Lounger is lined in cuddly microfleece sheets and stows compactly into a portable, matching travel case.

For the comfort of home — for a change, look into www.kaya-goods.com