The Travel Goods Show: On the Move! The Travel Goods Association (TGA) Management and Board of Directors are excited to announce that they have developed a three-year plan for The Travel Goods Show that will: Make the show more exciting and dynamic; Greatly increase attendance at the show; Make the show more affordable for both exhibitors and attendees in the short term. As the first phase of our three-year plan, we're taking The 2010 Travel Goods Show in Las Vegas to the next level, with new enhancements and incentives that will make the show even more attractive for buyers and exhibitors alike. We know that this is the big event of the year for our industry, and we want to make sure that everyone will be there in 2010. But there's an even bigger move coming. In 2011 and 2012 The Travel Goods Show will be moving to Chicago and will co-locate with the International Home + Housewares Show at McCormick Place! TGA has been exploring the idea of co-locating The Travel Goods Show for several years, and has been in active discussions with the International Housewares Association (IHA) since March of this year. It is important to note that The Travel Goods Show is not being merged with the International Home + Housewares Show. Both shows will continue to be completely separate and autonomous, with separate exhibit halls, badges and events. But because the shows will be held concurrently at the nation's largest convention center, TGA and IHA can combine forces to streamline costs and increase attendance for both shows. Last year the International Home + Housewares Show drew 60,000 attendees, including 23,000 buyers and 300 working media. The International Home + Housewares Show is an ideal fit with The Travel Goods Show because: Many buyers cover both categories, but the two groups of exhibitors do not compete with each other; Buyers can be exposed to a much wider range of merchandise at one show; The International Home + Housewares Show's timing coincides with our preferred timeframe (early March); The IHA is enthusiastic about the potential benefit to both shows, and will share its attendee data and media lists to help promote our show. In other words, this an ideal opportunity to increase the travel goods industry's reach with buyers and media. This is a big, exciting move for our industry, and we're just getting started! The TGA and IHA staffs are already involved in the initial planning stages for our 2011 co-location. Additionally, we are putting together a great package of incentives and enhancements for exhibitors that will make 2010 in Las Vegas the most exciting Travel Goods Show yet! We will get you more information on this as soon as it is available. Sincerely, Michele Marini Pittenger President