The party and Halloween industry’s biggest trade show H&P Expo 2018 has been a runaway success, with both buyers and exhibitors proclaiming it to be their best show in recent years.
The show got off to a strong start on Friday 12 January with the doors opening to a packed hall at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans as exhibitors pulled out all the stops to ensure that buyers and retailers would have plenty to keep them engaged and entertained.
Visitor numbers were up as the debut co-location of HAuNTcon drove cross-over traffic to both exhibitions, giving everyone an opportunity to benefit from the significant overlap in business. Many of the HAuNTcon exhibitors have already signed deals with retail partners they would have otherwise never met.
The Haunted Trends Runway was another hit, playing host to a number of catwalk shows and special events during the three-day show. The first-ever Artist Battleground was a great success, attracting plenty of attention during the four-hour contest. It was fascinating to see the finished designs being created in real time and allowed the audience to truly appreciate the level of skill involved in creating the ‘creatures’.
“The show has been great,” says Emma Angel, director of Angels Fancy Dress. “It’s been great to catch up with old friends and meet with suppliers and it’s always nice to see what’s in store for the new season. The show is always good but this year it certainly felt busier, which is a very positive sign for the year ahead.”
“This is the place to be if you’re in the party, the Halloween or the celebration world,” says Liz Irving, marketing director at Urban Expositions, show organiser. “This is the place for the best product launches, new trends and the best networking in the states.”
Next year’s show will be taking place from 25 – 27 January 2019. Find out more at www.halloweenpartyexpo.com
Follow the PartyWorldwide.net updates for all the latest news from the H&P Expo 2018.
