Check out some of the cakes in the winners of the Cake Show.

What happened as we have many clients in cake and bakeries, as we can give them control over their bookings, production, stock management, components with formulas, product costs, and nutrition. So we got tickets to go to the Cake Bake Sweets Show. 

While there, I took some pictures of the cake finalist and just look at them. One of the big problems is that people are complaining about the prices of these cakes but look at the amount of work involved. 

Enjoy my pictures. 

This one came number two but I thought it was incredible, look at the detail.

This one came number one. Not exactly my taste but extremely impressive. 

We were invited to attend, so off we went.

It has been a few years since the last show. Although was a sell-out in 2019, I wondered if enough people would come to justify the effort now that some of our clients made for the show. You need many people to justify the halls the size of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Well, it was a sell-out. They stopped selling tickets days before the event. Cat lovers came from everywhere to get their dose of cat-infused happiness. My 11-year-old daughter wanted to go, so they had to sneak her in on my VIP ticket.

The stands were busy alright. It really shows that cats are the second most popular pets in Australia, and cat owners spend on cats. You can now spend quite a bit to get a good Bengal or Sphynx cat. So if someone is looking at improving your gift lines, I would suggest looking into it.

Here are some scenes from the cat lover show. It was huge, and the organisers did an excellent job.

As COVID is dying down, we are seeing more fairs happening. Although many tried some form of virtual meetings, it did not work. Buyers need to see, touch and feel. If you are looking into having gifts or are already into it, this is the place to be. You will meet many new businesses and connect with your existing suppliers. Generally, the senior people in these organisations are there to network. Do not forget your business cards!

So if you are interested in marketing gifts, this show I do recommend.

Here are some points to consider if you are thinking of going:

* Do market research before. See what sells in your shop, the gifts near you, and your business type. Most crucial, check the current prices.

* Ask yourself what you know. It would be best if you stick to these items as much as possible. With gifts, you need to specialise and product knowledge is important.

* Many places have minimum orders unless you are prepared to buy big. The odds are many places will not deal with you. If you like something, first say your budget on these products and say I will go up if it works and see what they say. I suggest you walk if the answer is NO.

* The prices are, from what I can see, the prices are not terrific; be prepared to bargain. If you look, you will find some real bargains. The last day in my experience is often the best day to pick bargains. This is the day many stalls will be looking to get rid of stock that they brought for the show; if you are going to pick up bargains at the fair, that is the day. Unfortunately, it is also the day that many popular lines are gone. If you are looking for something expensive for the house, say a genuine Persian carpet. It may be your chance to get it at a discounted wholesale price. If so, you will need to wait for the show to end to pick it up.

* Consider the show more a chance to buy seeder stock and get ideas. If you want reasonable prices, you need to go on the net and go to the overseas gift shows. Note that if you intend to go overseas, you need a decent gift business turnover.

* You will gain an understanding of your market. See what sort of suppliers handle it and how many.

Finally, look for new things, there are many innovative ones there. Consider this the main reason to go.

Over the past two years, trade shows have stopped with the COVID-19 pandemic. Many have tried virtual shows with limited success.  It is hard on a virtual show as an item can look very different in your hand compared to the photo. The photo is selected by a supplier and is what they want you to see. Plus you cannot touch or feel the item.

Thankfully, now trade shows are starting up again. 

These have been a great way to see new products and variants of existing products in the past. Plus, they are an excellent way for you to meet suppliers that do not deal with you directly.

Here are some tips from a guy who has been to heaps of these shows if you are going.

1) There is no better way to find new suppliers. Make sure you pick up their cards.  Do not count on them contracting you afterwards.

2) With existing suppliers, it is often a terrific opportunity to meet the senior people in these organisations.

3) Many places have minimum orders. Unless you are prepared to buy big, the odds are many places will not deal with you. Before you start, tell them your budget on these products and be ready to walk out if the answer is no.

4) Prices are generally on the high side. Do not expect to find bargains. Consider purchases at these trade shows for seeder stocks.

5) Know your products well, your requirements and your price points.

6) Look for new things, that is mainly why you are there.

7) The last day tends to be when the smaller traders are looking to get rid of the stock they brought, especially for the show.  They would rather sell it than carry it out. If you are going to pick up bargains at the fair, that is the day.

Fairs and conventions came to a halt with the Covid-19 pandemic. Many organisations tried some form of virtual meetings. From what I've seen, the results were generally disappointing. If someone is looking online, what do they need for a virtual trade show?

Now, as vaccines are rolling out and restrictions loosened, trade shows are viable again. Still, the way forward may not be clear.

* Many are not yet vaccinated and will be denied admission if they try to come. The big problem is that if two people want to go in a group from a store today, one is most likely not vaccinated.

* Many vendors' staff and attendees still have health concerns.

* Some potential attendees now prefer virtual trade shows after getting used to them as it is much faster and cheaper, e.g. no travel or hotels.

Still, some things are difficult to do virtually, such as analysing a photo gift item, meeting with your vendors in person, meeting new vendors, etc. 

So it will be interesting to see what happens as the trade shows start again, will many go?

It will be a make or break for the trade show industry.

Still, vendors are interested as both the Reed Gift Fair in February in Sydney and the Fine Food Australia scheduled for March in Sydney are already over 90% booked. I have also been told that there is little left, which I believe as prices are pretty high to attend.

Note, they all have clauses in case of another cancellation.
 

As we have many cafe and bakery point of sale systems, the organisers gave us free tickets to  Cake Bake & Sweets Show.

Which is great as it gives me a chance to both see our clients and enjoy what is stated as "Australia's original live event for baking, cake decorating, sweets and desserts—a true festival of deliciousness!"

I consider it a reward for all the hard work we have done for the industry.

There were heaps of people, now check out the winning cakes, it incredible as they do not look like cakes but they are. Some people are just so creative... 

This one won a first prize, you would think it was flowers

This one a first prize too

Our Pet Shop management software considered the best in Australia will be on show at AusPet 2018 at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on Friday. It has more users than any other Pet Shop Software in Australia.

Its market share has also grown this year thanks to Pet Shops upgrading to our software. What I found interesting is that none of the old-time software companies that used to go to these fairs are there now. We are the last ones left. 

What at the fair, we will be showing off the very latest in Pet Shop software.

As what will be on display is the new software version that is not yet released so even if have our software it is your chance to see what is coming up. 

So if you do get to the fair, do visit our stand #128 and say hello. We are right at the exit so there is no excuse not to come and visit us.

Visit us at AusPet 2018 - Booth 128