Apr 15, 2009

Expo for $12 Billion Cart and Kiosk Industry Set for Las Vegas

Hanover, MA – The Specialty Retail Entrepreneur Expo & Conference (SPREE) is all set to kick into high gear in Las Vegas on April 21. The three-day conference produced by Specialty Retail Report—the only magazine for retail entrepreneurs and managers of mall carts, kiosks and temporary in-line stores—will take place April 21-23 at the Venetian Hotel.

The 20% increase in the number of pre-registered attendees this year attests to the fact that despite a weak economy, cart, kiosk and temporary in-line stores in malls and other retail venues, continue to be attractive business propositions in the retail marketplace. “This is exactly the time when entrepreneurs need to try something new and set up a profitable business,” said Patricia Norins, publisher of Specialty Retail Report. “There are numerous multimillion-dollar companies today that started on a single cart or kiosk, and every year new entrepreneurs with exciting new concepts join this $12 billion industry. “Plus, SPREE will feature dozens of turnkey concepts—complete business start-up packages that make it easy for first-time entrepreneurs to buy into a complete and tested retail concept,” Norins added.

The annual SPREE is the largest show for cart and kiosk retailers, attracting hundreds of entrepreneurs who want to start or expand their cart and kiosk businesses. Attendees typically include entrepreneurs exploring opportunities for their first location to industry veterans looking for the latest hot products, retailing strategies and expansion locations.

“As of today, we have sold 150 exhibitor booths and expect more than 1,000 attendees at SPREE Las Vegas,” said Sally Miller, the Expo’s director. This is the second year in a row that SPREE has been hosted in Las Vegas. Miller added that all previous shows were very well attended and featured hundreds of new product debuts and new locations for cart- and kiosk-based entrepreneurs. “This year should be no exception,” she added.

SPREE also offers free educational seminars on a variety of topics. “We have more than a dozen educational seminars that cover everything from Retail 101 to visual merchandising and display tips to staffing strategies,” Miller said. Seminars on leasing and retailing in a challenging economy are also planned.

SPREE is FREE to attend! “The SPREE show is a great way for current and prospective entrepreneurs to get together and network without having to spend any money to get in,” Miller said. “New entrepreneurs who don’t even have a start-up budget yet will find this free show very useful.”

Details include:

• What: SPREE Las Vegas 2009, the Specialty Retail Entrepreneur Expo & Conference
  
• Where: The Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas

  
• When: April 21-23, 2009
  
• Who: Produced by Specialty Retail Report magazine

  
• Premiere Sponsor: Bellapierre Cosmetics.
• Associate Sponsors: Happy Feet; Rico Industries (Tag Express); Fanmats; SmokeAnywhere.com; Shapes Brow Bar; CBL and i-wrapz.
  
• Show Hours: Tuesday, April 21 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 22 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 23 10:00 a.m. – 2:00
p.m.
• Cost: FREE

For more information call (800) 936-6297 x 28 or go online SPREEshow.com. Questions? Email info@spreeshow.com.