Discuss the process of getting your t-shirt line into brick and mortar stores and selling offline. Topics include industry tradeshows, events, line sheets, sales reps and other retailing tips and advice.
I live in New Jersey and am just starting out - I noticed that the Long Beach show has 500 vendors compared to 200 at Atlantic City. Is there a vast difference between the two shows that would justify me jetting across country? Do I need to spend all three days at the show to reap the benefits? People have mentioned workshops. On the ISS site, I noticed one or two - are there more offered?
The workshops primarily happen on the day before the show opens (Thursday for Long Beach). Check the conference schedule and see which ones are on that day.
The answer to whether you need to spend 1, 2 or 3 days depends on what your current knowledge is, what you are going to the show for, whether you are going to do seminars (which will take time away from walking the show floor) and other factors. It could be challenging for even an industry veteran to walk the entire Long Beach floor in one day.
As for whether Long Beach or Atlantic City, that is going to depend on what you are looking for and the difference in cost. I would calculate the cost of going to each show to start off with. Long Beach is the best show we have in our industry. If you want to see apparel, then hands down this is the show since more apparel companies will be at Long Beach than other shows. If you are just looking for the major types of equipment, most of the suppliers will do both shows - so AC would be fine to do. Timing is also a key for some companies. If you do a lot of spring related items (i.e. Spring Break shirts, spring varsity sports,...), then the AC show is too late for you. Most of the new things in the industry are released at the Long Beach show.
So, the decision as to which show to go to will depend on what your business' needs are and what are the costs associated with each show. Hope this gives you some things to consider.
I would agree with Mark, but since I'm involved in planning the educational progam with Impressions editor in chief Marcia Derryberry, I'm sure we can make some suggestions for the best workshops and seminars at ISS Atlantic City to meet your educational needs and save you the time and expense of a cross country trip. To do that, however, we'll need to know more about the type of business you're thinking of starting and how far along in the process you are.
I'm just in the planning stages and finding T-shirt forum was the best thing that could have happened. I am interested in fitness-wear for adults - I do have a specific niche, which would display a simple line drawing, one or two colors at the most. I'd like to be able to have my logo printed on the sleeve along with an image on the front. Most people have told me they would prefer dry wicking, dri-fit, material. I've started researching the manufacturers and type of printing needed for this material. I would also like to carry a line of sueded cotton shirts as well. I haven't seen a source for them though.
I was an art major in college years ago - I've been a fitness instructor for years- hence the collision of both worlds. Actually my biggest obstacle right now is getting the logo designed. I feel the need to do it myself, because of my art background - but I think that I have too much tunnel vision and need to get outside ideas and should hire someone. Plus, I have no knowledge of vectors and how to get me artwork ready for printing on shirts.
ISS Atlantic City is our second largest show and should meet all your informational needs. However, if you can't wait till March and want to escape the New Jersey winter, ISS Orlando offers a similar educational program and many of the same, though fewer, exhibitors.
If you're interested in doing your artwork yourself but are unsure how to proceed, then you should plan to take some of the computer graphics courses relevant to your needs. These range from our all-day Corel workshop to 90-minute seminars on Corel and computer graphics programs. The advantage of taking the class besides the instruction is the opportunity to network with the attendees and ask the instructor questions specific to your situation.
As for the apparel, ISS Atlantic City usually features strong representation in the performancewear field so you should be able to find a source there. Also, the Impressions Sourcebook contains extensive listings of blank apparel sources. Another source is our library of Impressions Product Guide newsletters, available at the Impressions Web site when you visit the newsletter signup page.
As for the sueded shirts, that's a good question, as I don't recall seeing anything but denims, oxfords, twills and other wovens, but perhaps another t-shirtforums.com member is aware of a source. In any case, we'll keep an eye out on that time of product for you. Are you looking for men's or women's styling?
If you have further questions, feel free to e-mail me in private or contact me offline at the Impressions office in Atlanta.
To follow up on Richard's thread....we do offer a great seminar at both Long Beach and Atlantic City that will help in your endeavor. It is called "Generating Revenue and Customer Excitement with High-Margin Performance Apparel." This session will give the basics of the market you are looking at, as well as detail appropriate decorating technologies (sublimation is somthing you should really look into). Impressions also ran a feature package in our August 2007 issue dedicated to this topic. I'd be happy to send you a copy if you want to call me with your address. My direct line is 770-291-5574. I'm in the office through next Tues. before I leave for Long Beach.
Marcia
Hi I'm new in this Tshirt industry. I've heard about the ISS in AC and definitely looking forward to that. I'm from NYC and was wondering if there's a bus that goes straight to the Convention Center. Also, where do you guys usually stay for the weekend? I don't think I could afford staying at a hotel, is there another alternative?
Hi I'm new in this Tshirt industry. I've heard about the ISS in AC and definitely looking forward to that. I'm from NYC and was wondering if there's a bus that goes straight to the Convention Center. Also, where do you guys usually stay for the weekend? I don't think I could afford staying at a hotel, is there another alternative?
Thanks,
Kristine
I'm not from NY, but while I was at the Long Beach show, I heard that there was a train that goes straight into the convention center in Atlantic City.
That's true information. Kristene, I'd go the web to the New Jersey Transit Authority. They should have the train schedule and yes, the train actually ends up right in the convention center -- you are literally a one-minute walk from the ISS registration area once you arrive.
We look forward to visiting with the T-Shirt Forums members at ACISS -- please stop by the Impressions booth where we're happy to be the location for you all to meet up and network. Long Beach was a great success and we look forward to continuing hosting forum members at our booth (and any Southeast-based members are welcome to join us at Orlando ISS Feb. 8-10 as well). Great to meet you Rodney and congrats on your precious little someone new!
Thanks for the info. I didn't realize there's actually a train that goes straigt to the convention. I would have been ok with taking the bus but I actually prefer taking the train instead. Now that the transportation delimma has been resolved, any suggestion where's a good place to stay in for the weekend? How far is the convention from all the Casino spot?
Now that the transportation delimma has been resolved, any suggestion where's a good place to stay in for the weekend? How far is the convention from all the Casino spot?
Thanks,
Kristine
I wonder if looking through casino sites there may be links to cheap lodging. I think the point is to get you there and have you spend your dollars in a casino, but to make staying cheap so they have you in the casinos more. What about hotels.com, or priceline? There's time to name your own price (does that work?)
Last edited by Girlzndollz; January 26th, 2008 at 09:42 AM.
Thanks for the info. I didn't realize there's actually a train that goes straigt to the convention. I would have been ok with taking the bus but I actually prefer taking the train instead. Now that the transportation delimma has been resolved, any suggestion where's a good place to stay in for the weekend? How far is the convention from all the Casino spot?
Thanks,
Kristine
I think once you register for the show, they have a link where you can register for nearby hotels, sometimes at a discount.
That's true information. Kristene, I'd go the web to the New Jersey Transit Authority. They should have the train schedule and yes, the train actually ends up right in the convention center -- you are literally a one-minute walk from the ISS registration area once you arrive.
We look forward to visiting with the T-Shirt Forums members at ACISS -- please stop by the Impressions booth where we're happy to be the location for you all to meet up and network. Long Beach was a great success and we look forward to continuing hosting forum members at our booth (and any Southeast-based members are welcome to join us at Orlando ISS Feb. 8-10 as well). Great to meet you Rodney and congrats on your precious little someone new!
Marcia Derryberry
Editor in Chief
Impressions
I think you guys should bring Rodney to the atlantic City Show. I was the official Ambassador for the forum but Ihad other responsibilities as well. I will be at the AC show and if Rodney does not go I will be glad to also represent the forum. But I need to spend my time at the Coastal business booth demoing my product as they are one of my distributors. I hope a lot of you east coast members come by and visit me. Lou ( badalou)
ISS Long Beach VS. ISS Atlantic City 
