While there weren't as many exhibitors at the IFE in Washington, D.C. this past weekend, there seemed to be some nice traffic going through the exhibit hall. And, like all else during these times, it'll be survival of the fittest in franchising, too. Good concepts and leadership will prevail. People WERE looking to buy.
Some fun events too like the Lucky Strike exhibitor’s party sponsored by MFV Expo and USA Today among others…always a gas and who can resist the fried macaroni and cheese balls!! Then USA Today party in Georgetown where we were in stitches over the antics of John Kersh from Anytime Fitness.
Some of the more colorful exhibitors were MassageLuxe and The Tan Company from St. Louis who had a great booth and gorgeous shirts. And Bijoux Terner! This blogger went through LaGuardia last May and stopped at the Bijoux Terner boutique to buy 12 scarves for $10 each. All fabulous colors and quality and I was steaming because I had paid $118 for several of the same from Nordstrom’s a few months before. Imagine how amazed I was to see the same boutique exhibiting at the IFE! Who knew they were franchising? And CEO Gabriel Bottazi was thrilled to hear that I was the one who “cleaned them out” at LaGuardia. He kindly gave Megan Downey and Jenny Kinkopf, both of Sanderson & Associates, lovely watches. Handbags, scarves, jewelry—great concept for airports where you have lots of time to browse and are always forgetting some accessory.
Top left photo: Todd Beckman, president and CEO of The Tan Company and MassageLuxe.
Bottom right photo: Megan Downey (left), Jenny Kinkopf (center) and Bijoux Terner CEO Gabriel Bottazi (right).
