The Independent Video Retailers Group held their first annual trade show and conference here at the Rio All-Suite Casino and Convention Center, June 9-10. Known informally as "Independent's 99," the show afforded smaller retailers an opportunity to network with major studios, distributors and suppliers. More than seventy companies exhibited, including a handful of adult manufacturers and distributors. Surprisingly, attendence at the two day event was estimated at 500 persons, less than half the number expected.
"We were a little disappointed with the small crowds," related Wicked Pictures' publicist Seth Andrea McCoy. Like most adult exhibitors at the show, Wicked took space at the General Video of America booth. "We did meet some nice people, and I think we made some good contacts," she continued. "But there were some dead spots each day. It wasn't bad, considering that it was [the IVRG's] first show. We just would have liked a steadier flow of traffic."
"Any time you do something new, you take a risk," said Jeffrey Dimick, president of Forté Productions, which provided management services for the show. "Attendance certainly wasn't where we hoped it would be. On the other hand, there were elements of the show that we're quite happy with. The bottom line is, we believe this show has a future, and we're already planning the next one."
Dimick said he has been listening to feedback from this year's exhibitors and attendees, and that improvements for the show's sophomore outing are in the works. "Probably the biggest change we'll make will be to schedule fewer seminars, and to hold them early in the morning and later in the day," he said. "Attendance at the seminars was excellent, but the new schedule will give people more time to spend on the show floor."
As we went to press, the exact date and location of the next Independent's convention had yet to be determined; Dimick said the most likely scenario is a Las Vegas locale some time in February, 2000. For more information, contact Forté Productions, 7917 SW Cirrus Dr., Beaverton, OR 97008; phone (800) 382-5410; fax (503) 644-5603.
