SUMMER 2015 | VOL. 40 NO. 2
The 2015 International Travel Goods Show Wrap-Up and Review
It’s All Here in Black and White!
Features: 2015 Show Trends, Seen at The Show, 2015 Industry Awards, State of the U.S. Travel Goods Market
SWISSGEAR 6191 Hardside 28″ Spinner from Group III International. Featuring lightweight construction and maneuverability, this luggage comes equipped with a lightweight aluminum locking telescopic handle, eight 360° spinner wheels and built-in TSA-accepted three-dial combination lock: MSRP $239.99. Royce Leather’s RFID Saffiano Convertible Backpack neatly converts into a crossbody bag or handbag. The bag snugly fits technology essentials, including an iPad, and only you will know that it is secretly protecting you from the nightmare of identity theft: MSRP $200. Rollasoles’ Rock and Rollasole with silver studs are fold-up, roll-up flats that can be popped into your handbag, glove compartment or desk drawer, comes with a bag to carry your discarded heels: MSRP $50. This one-of-a-kind handmade Playluggage suitcase was specially tattooed onsite at The 2015 International Travel Goods Show by Playluggage’s designer Kristjan Luiga. Playluggage suitcases feature a lightweight aluminum frame or rubber zipper frame with lining and ABS plastic covers that are moisture-resistant and maintain shape while offering the most protection. The front of the outside shell features a variety of board games to play while traveling.
Credits
Photographer: Kerry Pittenger
Model: Veronica Lane, Reinhard, Inc.
Special thanks to Anne McAlpin, winner of the drawing for Playluggage’s 2015 International Travel Goods Show custom tattooed suitcase, who graciously donated the work of art to TGA.
FEATURES
Color, Texture and Connectivity: Trends from The 2015 International Travel Goods Show [DOWNLOAD PDF FILE]
Purple and white dominate; hardsides get metallized and textured; connectivity comes to luggage in surprising new ways. Plus lots more from the Show floor, including retailers’ reactions to what’s new for the 2015 travel season. BY GARRETT LAI
Seen at The Show [DOWNLOAD PDF FILE]
The attention-getting products, the hippest people and happening booths that made The 2015 Show an event. BY KATHY WITT AND SARA ECCLESINE. EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADAM TRECARTIN
TGA Industry Awards [DOWNLOAD PDF FILE]
Profiling TGA Award winner David Bieber; product innovation recognition for luggage location technology, a 2-for-1 suitcase and a waist pack reboot; the crowd-sourced favorite and community service honorees. Plus the winners of the first-ever Best Booth Awards. BY GARRETT LAI
State of the U.S. Travel Goods Market [GO TO STORY]
The travel goods business is up – the industry sold more luggage (and way more backpacks), for more money – with an estimated market of more than $30 billion in 2014. Read our analysis for more, including what this means for future consumer buying trends. BY NATE HERMAN
COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS
EDITOR’S NOTE “Better Than Big” BY MICHELE MARINI PITTENGER
TRAVEL BITS Wild ponies, Mickey’s tiki paradise, a road for the daring, runcationing on all seven continents, and travel help from the Road Ninja, among other interesting travel tidbits. [DOWNLOAD PDF FILE]
NEWS & NOTES Lost luggage drops by 60%, marketing via Instagram, Sir Richard Branson’s Plan B, a million more cruise travelers and other trending travel news. [DOWNLOAD PDF FILE]
TGA NEWS BRIEFS News from Capitol Hill, the best deal at The International Travel Goods Show, a plethora of new members. Plus profiles, community service activities and more member news. [DOWNLOAD PDF FILE]
INDUSTRY BUZZ People and product news, milestones, and letter to the editor. [DOWNLOAD PDF FILE]
CLASSIFIEDS
AD INDEX
BUYER’S GUIDE