ABC Spring Event: No Complaints About Learning, Buying, Selling and Fun!

The Giggle Guide^® attended the 4th Annual ABC Spring Conference and Trade Show, and we’re pleased to report that we heard no complaints about the event that provided an all-in-one combination of business education, trade show, networking and plenty of good food, fun and industry fellowship. We could feel the positive energy and enthusiasm throughout the event. People also were happy to reunite in Las Vegas, at the never-have-to-leave-it South Point Hotel. Attendance was up 11.6% over 2011 numbers, a testament to its influence and value. Packed with informational seminars and plenty of opportunities to network, the streamlined trade show portion included 187 booths.

Seminars ranged from increasing and retaining retail stores’ customers to consumer safety issues. Featured speakers included marketing pro Penny Redlin, president of Insights Discovered, and Bob Negen (WhizBang! Training), a veteran retailer with 20 years’ experience. The Baby Carrier Industry Alliance (BCIA) was on hand to explain government regulations and safety issues.

This year’s event showcased a variety of new and returning baby and juvenile brands. A few head-turners included Notch, Ergobaby, guavakids and SnoozeShade.

Kicking it Up with Notch

One of the exhibitors new to the show was Ethan Lowry’s Notch. Lowry’s passion for innovative design with his grounding in a realistic approach to family life is a retailer’s dream: Notch makes charming, high-quality furniture that families build together. Lowry has a strong background in building with family; his own grandfather had a shop and inspired him to create hands-on projects. This inspiration translated into the creation of fun, functional furniture that kids will like and parents can handle. Pieces fit perfectly together like a doable puzzle, leaving no chance for misplaced tools or smashed fingers. Constructed from plywood, all of the Notch designs are made in the U.S.A.

About the show, Lowry noted, “We were thrilled by the interest and positive feedback the product received.” It’s not too hard to get rave reviews when you have a great product that fills a need, and Notch furniture helps provide quality family experiences. Chair colors can be mixed and matched to create unique designs. The easy-to-assemble line includes a toddler table with a reversible top that can become either a white board or a chalkboard. Notch furniture has the added bonus of being simple to take down and transport, making it easy to have picnics in the backyard or go to visit grandparents.

Build your bottom line with the quality furniture from www.notchkids.com

Ergobaby: Cogito Ergo Profit

There’s so much to love about Ergobaby: ergonomically designed products that keep baby close and parents happy. Mom and business owner Karin Frost developed the Ergobaby Carrier to make life easier her and her baby. Other parents saw the result, were delighted, and the rest is history.

Ergobaby’s product line has since expanded to include a variety of cotton canvas infant carriers, car seats, strollers, and accessories. The easy-to-snuggle carriers sport contemporary prints and designs to please a broad audience.

The Galaxy Grey design is the hands-down, top-selling model. This soft silver carrier is decorated with stars; it can be used for newborns all the way up to tots at 40 lbs. It’s comfortable, allowing for multiple wearing styles and even has a “sleeping hood” that provides neck support.

The New Bundle of Joy line is for babies and toddlers from 7 to 45 lbs and is available in a range of colors. It’s available in both the original and organic version, and has matching infant support inserts. The adjustable infant support inserts are specially designed to protect an infant’s head.

Include proven best sellers in your carrier selection: www.ergobaby.com

guavakids: High Five for Baby Hands

Founded by business veterans with combined experience at Nike, Adidas, HP, Intel, and Ziba, guavakids is grounded in success and blooming with passion for creating quality products that match what parents and caregivers need. guavakids products are a charming and practical mix of functionality, style, and eco-awareness.

Newborns are famous for scratching themselves. Concerned parents have tried many different approaches, from trying to keep those tiny nails clipped to covering the hands with little gloves or socks. None of these solutions work as well as guavamitts. Each tiny pair is developed with a proprietary closure system that keeps baby from scratching; the mitts are also reversible. Designs range from bubbles (berry pink) for little girls to the tiny zoo (blue) for boys; neutral designs like the cirque (chocolate) or the bubbles (lime) are also available.

The styles were developed based on infant research showing that high-contrast designs can stimulate infant brain development. Each pair is constructed from organic cotton and bamboo, known for its antibacterial properties. guavamitts are available in both single and double packs.

Newborns need the stimulating, protective covers from www.guavakids.com

SnoozeShade: Keeping It Cool

It doesn’t have to be a bright summer day for kids to kick back and relax with the SnoozeShade –– and parents and caregivers will soon realize it’s a year-round essential. Birthed from the idea that tots on the move might need to nap, the SnoozeShade is the ultimate cover-up. The Original SnoozeShade, the recipient of multiple awards, fits over a stroller and blocks out light so tots can sleep. The unique sunshade allows children to rest comfortably while being protected from the sun (a UPF of 50).

Approved by the INPAA , the SnoozeShade also allows easy access or quick peeks. This sun-blocker is the perfect way to make sure little ones can nap while out and about, preserving the sleeping schedule of both. The SnoozeShade is constructed from worry-free, breathable, stretchable material, so parents can rest easy when their children snooze.

The Snooze line has been expanded to include Special Edition trim colors in pink and latte. There’s also a SnoozeShade specially designed for car seats and a SnoozeShade Twin.

The SnoozeShade has already generated quite a buzz. This is a perfect accessory to go along with strollers and car seats. Maximize added sales at www.snoozeshade.com