Ten Tips for Maximizing the ABC Expo Experience

Paul Steinbach Headshot
(Photo By Brian Ebner)
(Photo By Brian Ebner)

Canvassing an exhibition as large and diverse as the Athletic Business Conference & Expo — with its 260 vendors encompassing everything from sports architecture to team apparel — can be a time-management challenge, if not outright intimidating. It doesn't need to be. AB asked frequent ABC visitors to put on comfortable shoes and walk us through their tricks of the trade show floor. Here's what we learned:

1. DO YOUR HOMEWORK.
The ABC exhibitor list is available in advance. Use it to your advantage before even departing for New Orleans. "Share the exhibitor list with others in your department or organization, asking for their equipment and product needs," suggests Gord Bullock, Athletic Centre coordinator at Havergal College in Toronto. "Establish a hit list and contact prior to the conference exhibitors you know you need to see." Diane Dahlmann, director of MizzouRec at the University of Missouri, likewise encourages the preshow phone exchange. "This will allow you the chance to know who will be there representing the company," she says, "and it will help put you at the front of the line."

Log in to view the full article
Page 1 of 58
Next Page
Buyer's Guide
Information on more than 3,000 companies, sorted by category. Listings are updated daily.
Learn More
Buyer's Guide
AB Show 2025 in San Diego
AB Show is a solution-focused event for athletics, fitness, recreation and military professionals.
Nov. 5-8, 2025
Learn More
AB Show 2025