They said it was going to be Good
And they were right!
Reservations? When you attend a trades-show thousand of miles away and make the investment to attend, you can often have feelings of trepidation asking your self 'is it worth it?' YES, it was!
Toronto is a very social city when it comes to networking, especially in business. As the saying goes,"it's not what you know, it's who you know". It's always great to see high school friends creating successful careers in the corporate giants of the Big Smoke. Sarah Richardson is very good friends of mutual high school mates and Sarah was kind enough to chat for moment. Her biz is ba-ba-booming. It was incredible to see the throngs of people, she is much like a rock star at the show, so many photo opp's and people asking of her time.
The Good or Bad: In recent years it's been a mixed bag going back to Toronto, since the global economy crunch has had it's impact on trade shows, with the likes of the CGTA and IDS but this year's IDS Toronto was really a fun show from all accounts.
The opening night party was full of electric energy, from the free Champagne and mini burgers/sliders to the kicking the funky beats Dj, it really felt much like a club with super high end designer products fulfilling your interior creative desires. You couldn't help but leave the party Thursday night with some kinetic energy for the design year ahead. Friday was Professional Trades Day, it was a busy day with great attendance all day long.
Does this mean the recession is really over? Hmm
Bravo: The Fall IDS West in Vancouver and now with this show in Toronto there is a definite change happening, IDS is doing a fantastic job in repositioning designing community in front of the customers/consumers. With a wealth of suppliers, manufactures, entrepreneurial artisans the horizon for the industry is bright. Evan Cars were present, well a car, Audi was on display with there new A7 in Toronto center stage. Nothing like a little bling bling for cross branding to make a statement. It's a nice car... really nice.
Finds: There is more to come from the IDS11, I will be featuring some the interesting artisan I met, as well product reviews and a little back ground on the drive to make it!
