I have been to many of these shows - primarily as an Exhibitor. Most of the people that I know that have gone to these workshop, have said they are well worth the money. I believe you are talking about the Start Up Decorator Workshop. If so, this is one where they go over the different applications (screen printing, embroidery, dtg, transfers,...). This is good if you are new in the industry and want to get a 1,000 feet view of the industry and where your business can grow. There is just not enough time to go over all the applications in detail. If you are just getting started, this workshop will be great for you because you will have a better understanding of what the exhibitors are talking about. This can make your time on the show floor more productive. If you want specific information on a specific type of application, go to that workshop. Hope this helps.
We go to the ISS show in Long Beach, CA. It CAN be overwhelming because of the number of exhibitors and all the pamphlets/brochures/cataloges you'll wind up with, so I suggest you take a fairly good sized (larger than airline "carry-on") EMPTY drag-behind suitcase to take with you to the exhibition hall to put all those things in. Assuming it's as big as the one here in CA, you'll want and even NEED to plan on being there every day. Enjoy, learn, make connections, develop ideas and don't be afraid to ask questions.
I just went to my first ISS show and let me tell you. the person that told me about it was 100% right when he said"you have no business in the t-shirt business till you been to ISS"
good lord. what an overwhelming fir 2 hours. me an my partner didn't even know where to start from. There is so many exhibitors and so much information to take in that it can be a bit frustrating.
I am not lying when I say going to the ISS show changed my approach to this whole thing and as well saved thousands of dollars in doing the wrong way and hundreds of hours of tooling around to figure it out.
hell i learned everything from the drawing process to graphic editing parts to the print side of it. Not to mention you make so many great networking connections.
I even founf a company that will do 100% of the graphic work (vectoring, color sporation and so on) for 10-20 dollars per image with a 3 day turn around.
you have any idea how many hours I spend TRYING to do it on my own? lol
I haven't gone to one but would love to. I'm just getting started myself. I wonder if there is one in Atlanta?
Yes there is one in Atlanta, it is not very big but if you live in Atlanta it is worth it. By all means go to a show. Take as many classes as you can. Know what you are there for, before you go or you will waste time on things you will never get involved in. The venders are there to help you but don't be mistaken they are there to make money.
__________________
Mike
If you dig ditches be the best ditch digger you can be.
ive been going for 4 years now, iss and printwear. i have also attended worksops. i would recommend taking them if you are a new commer. you will learn alot. i wish i would have taken them before i even purchased my screen printing equipment. like someone mentioned, take a roll cart with you, unless your a weightlifter.
i started out a screen printer, from going to these shows, i now do signs, embroidery, heat transfers, and offer promotional product, and paper printing. this past week my mission was to get more involved in team sports, i picked up about 5 suppliers of sportrs wear.
each year i have gone, i have grown my business in some way.
I went to the SGIA show in Atlanta and they give you a free canvas bag to put all the brochures in. The only major screen printing equipment company I know of that wasn't there was Workhorse.
I'm going to the ISS show in Orlando, but looking at the exhibitor list, I'm disappointed that I don't see very many actual screen printing equipment manufacturers.
The SGIA show was only 20% screen printing (plus about 5% DTG) but almost all the major companies were there. I even got to see $100,000+ automatics running. Lawson, M&R, Brown, Vastex, AWT, HIX, Riley Hopkins, BBC, and several other manufacturers plus all the major ink and chemical companies all had big displays at the SGIA show.
The ISS shows look like they are heavily center around the aparel companies. At least the one coming up in Orlando.
I'm definately going to the 2010 Las Vegas SGIA show. This will be my chance to go on a Las Vegas trip and write everything off on my Schedule C.
Quote:
Originally Posted by amp267
ive been going for 4 years now, iss and printwear. i have also attended worksops. i would recommend taking them if you are a new commer. you will learn alot. i wish i would have taken them before i even purchased my screen printing equipment. like someone mentioned, take a roll cart with you, unless your a weightlifter.
i started out a screen printer, from going to these shows, i now do signs, embroidery, heat transfers, and offer promotional product, and paper printing. this past week my mission was to get more involved in team sports, i picked up about 5 suppliers of sportrs wear.
each year i have gone, i have grown my business in some way.
BobbieLee mentioned the printwear show in Jul ( Welcome to NBM Shows! ) It will be at Long Beach Convention Center Jul 30-Aug1. Registration is not yet open, but if interested, you might check the site every couple of weeks..Probably will not start registration until March or so
Has Anyone Attended A Iss Workshop/ Expo? 
