Buyer Prep. Packet. Ju n e 13th - 14th, St. Ch a r l e s, IL 60174

Transcription

1 Buyer Prep National Lawn & Garden Show Ju n e 13th - 14th, 2017 Pheasant Run Resort 4051 East Main Street St. Ch a r l e s, IL Packet

2 Important Appointment Information We look forward to seeing you in Chicago this year! This packet contains information about this years event. Take some time to read through and prepare. We will see you soon! Confirm Your Product Categories As we get closer to the event, please confirm the accuracy of your Product Category Selections. If you have changes we must know at least 15 days prior to the event. Remember your appointments are scheduled based on your category selections. When are the Appointments? Appointments take place between 8:00am-5:00pm Tues & Wed., June 13 & 14. Buyers are expected to be present at all scheduled appointments. Travel departures can be scheduled anytime after 5:00 PM on Wednesday. Please allow 1 hour travel time to your airport. Can I Rearrange My Schedule? Please do not move or rearrange appointments with vendors. Changing your schedule outside of the software s master schedule will compromise the schedule and conflicts will occur. If you have an emergency, contact a staff member for assistance and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Use our mailbox system at the event if you want to set up additional appointments with vendors. When do I Get My Schedule? On the evening of June 12th, after our Opening Reception and Prototype Showcase (and open bar!) you receive your appointment schedules. Schedules are not available prior to this time in order to confirm last-minute additions. POP & New Product/Prototype areas will remain open starting Monday night. Event Directory You receive the event directory when you arrive. It is a great resource, appointment tool, and doodle pad, and it has all the event information as well as info and notes sections for all attending companies. Be Prepared to Set up New Vendors It is helpful to bring a supply of logistic forms (New Vendor Set-up Forms, Purchase Orders, etc.) as well as Company One-Pagers to pass around. This will allow vendors to better understand your company, your objectives, and how to best contact you for follow-up. Don t forget business cards! Bring Current Product Line Information Please bring catalogues, websites, or whatever you need to reference the status of your current product lines. During your appointments, we ask that you please refrain from soliciting vendors to attend a show your company organizes. Please discuss their show participation during meal times and at social events after you have determined their product mix is right for you. Thank you.

3 General Event Information Check-In Upon Arrival Check-In begins at 9:00 AM closes promptly at 4:30 PM on Monday June 12th. When you arrive at the hotel you will be directed to NLGS Event Check-In. Opening Reception and Orientation Our Opening Reception and Orientation Event is one of our favorite nights of the week. Aside from a wonderful meal and open bar, this is your first opportunity to stroll through the Product Display Grand Opening. Get a first look at the products for this year, and also get a sneak peak at the up and coming new products of the season. Mentor Program Feeling a little nervous? Is this your first time at an event like this? We think you will do great, but if you would like a Mentor to help you determine how to best prepare, contact us and we will connect you with a buyer who has been to the event at least 3 times. Attire Leave your formal business wear at home! We are a tight knit community all working for the good of the industry, so we might as well be comfortable while we do it! Feel free to dress business casual at NLGS. Bring a sweater! The appointment area can get chilly in the mornings. Name Badges Name badges are your ticket to just about everything NLGS related. Without them there is no access to especially restricted and sensitive events, such as VIA and the Prototype Review. Please make sure to wear them for the duration of the event. Food & Beverage You won t go hungry at NLGS. There is plenty of time to eat, and the majority food and beverage is included for all attendees. This includes the Opening Reception dinner and cocktails, breakfast and lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as snacks and beverages throughout the event. Dinner is provided on Monday at the Opening Reception & Tuesday during the special off-site VIA Party. Message & Mailbox Center We kick it old school with our communication processes at the event. Every company will have a mailbox at the Control Desk. This is the primary way for you to communicate and schedule additional time with Vendors at the event. Please check your event mailbox frequently. Buyer Appointment Tables Your appointment tables are like your office away from your office. We provide the basics, but if you need anything particular, let us know at the event and we will see what we can do. You stay at the same table the entire event, so get cozy! Questions? Call (719) or or us at bob@nlgshow.com

4 VIA Event Information You do not want to miss VIA Night. At NLGS we like to have fun, and we go all out! No work, no appointments or high stakes meetings, just dinner, drinks, and good times with friends. Sponsored by VIA Vendors, this night never fails to provide a story or two. Who: When: VIA Sponsors and all attending Buyers Tuesday, June 13th, :30 PM Where: Meet buyers, other VIA Vendors, and NLGS Staff in the hotel lobby. Then, all together we will travel to the off-grounds event. Why: Relationship is at the core of NLGS and our business success. While our appointment floor is great for the business side of things, our VIA excellent is great for building those relationships that business can be founded upon. It is an intimate, fun, and relaxed for VIA Sponsors to connect with NLGS buyers off site. From flight simulators at the Air and Space Museum in Denver, to dock-side vistas on Lake Tahoe, Casino Night with Sugar Ray Leonard, to a Cubs game in Chicago, each year has an off-site evening for industry friends to spend time together off the clock. Sponsored entirely by Vendors, the VIA event is simply a great dinner, good drinks, and a memorable time VIA Event overlooking the Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs

5 Hotel & Travel Information Arrival and Departure Buyers will need to make your airfare arrangements to arrive at the hotel no later than 4:00 PM on Monday, June 12th, Your appointments could last until as long as 5:00 PM on Wednesday, June 14th, so please book your return flight accordingly. Appointments will run June 13th 14th for all NLGS buyers and vendors. Pet only vendors and buyers will have appointments on June 13th only. Please bring a copy of your flight itinerary to submit at the conclusion of the event for faster airfare reimbursement - up to $400. Hotel and Shuttle Information To secure event room rates, follow the instructions below: Reserve rooms by clicking here or by calling The negotiated discount room rate is $ single or double occupancy. You must mention your attendance at the National Lawn & Garden Show to get the discounted room rate. Book now to reserve this discounted rate. Rate not guaranteed after May 24th, Regular rate is $ per night. From Chicago O Hare Airport A-1 Limo Service: Best option, see below Taxis are readily available for typically $75 one way Rental Car averages at $60 per day From Chicago Midway Airport A-1 Limo Service: Best option, see below Taxis are readily available for typically $65 one way Rental Car averages at $60 per day Special Negotiated Rates from A-1 Airport Limo Services Make reservations through this link or srm@a1limousine.com. Arrival procedure for Midway and O Hare: 1. After landing, proceed to baggage claim and retrieve luggage 2. Contact A-1 Services at and select option 3 for the dispatcher 3. Give dispatcher your confirmation number or last name and receive instructions for pickup and drop-off. 4. If you do not have a reservation, call dispatch and arrange for transportation A-1 Shared Service: Shared service means there could be another stop en route to Pheasant Run Resort. If two people use the same car and go to Pheasant Run your cost can be as low as $26 per person one way. Tip excluded. Adl. prices below: Private Car service $71 per car, up to 3 passengers; Regal Service $81 per car, 4-5 passengers; Stretch Service $106 per car, 6-8 passengers. This is a direct service to Pheasant Run. *Rates include all fees and surcharge except gratuity to driver *Above rates valid between 4:30 AM and 10:59 PM. +$10 for outside times *Payment can be made via cash or card directly to driver Driving Directions From O Hare Airport From airport, get onto I-90 West. After about 19 miles, take the IL-59 exit to the south. After about 10 miles on IL-59, turn right on IL-64. Destination is on the left in 2.5 miles. Drive Time: avg. 40 minutes Address Pheasant Run Resort 4051East Main St. St. Charles, IL From Midway Airport From airport, take Cicero North to 55 South. In 9 miles, take exit 277A onto I-249 North. Go 5.8 miles. After 5.8 miles, exit onto 88 West. Go 14 miles. Exit at the IL-59 exit. Go north for 8 miles. Turn left on IL-64. Destination is on left on 2.5 miles. Drive Time: avg. 55 minutes