Behind the Scenes at #ATA2023

Exhibitor Set Up

The 2023 Show floor construction is underway! Not only do exhibitors have to prepare their sales goals, sales pitches, and promotional and new product materials before the Show, but they also have to organize and construct a space that’s inviting and ideal for business and order writing. The convention center is currently an obstacle course of trucks, forklifts, crates, limbless mannequins, people, boxes, products and a little bit of chaos as companies work to build their booths. 

American Outdoor Brands Corporation, Booth 4137, which includes the BOG, Hooeyman, Schrade and Old Timer brands, has one of the largest booths at the Show with 2,500 square feet. Exhibitors get 26 hours over three days to set up their booth. To make set up manageable, AOB hires a company to help design, construct and maintain their booths. Nic Maglio, project and trade show coordinator for AOB, said coordinating and planning with the team takes months and set up at the Show is only possible with a thorough plan, dedicated workers and good supervision. 

“Bigger booth spaces allow for customers to spread out a bit and have space to interact with the products,” Maglio said. “We’ll have six people working 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. the first two days, and the AOB team working the booth will help with final details and product merchandising before the Show opens (Wednesday morning). Showing new products is one of the most exciting things we’ll display in our booth this year. Each of our brands has something new and exciting to show this year, and we hope everyone is as excited to stop by and check them out.”

Maglio said his team tried to design the booth so they could assemble it with little to no tools but they do have tools on-site if needed. As the AOB booth comes together for each brand, so does the entire Trade Show floor.

ATA Board Meeting 

ATA board members meet twice annually, once at the ATA Show and once in summer. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday morning from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. ATA staff and board members will discuss the new manufacturer membership dues structure and invite ATA-member manufacturers for a Q&A session at 8 a.m. in Room 244. ATA staff will also give department updates, and board member nominees will have an opportunity to share their goals and priorities for ATA if they’re elected. All ATA members are welcome to attend. 

Enjoy the Show

As the Show floor comes together and products begin to fill the New Product Launch Showcase, attendees from across the nation are arriving in Indianapolis for the premier buying event of the year. 

After arriving in Indianapolis, one of the first things you should do is print your Trade Show badge. If you preregistered, bring the QR code sent in your registration confirmation email to one of two express pass locations: the Wabash-West Lobby outside Rooms 120 and 121 or outside Exhibit Hall I in the Hoosier Lobby, to obtain your badge. If you didn’t preregister, head to Main Registration, where an ATA staff member can help you register and get a badge.

Main Registration and the Express Pass stations are open:

• 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10
• 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 11 and 12
• 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13
  *The Express Pass station closes early, at 1 p.m., on Friday, Jan. 13.

View the Schedule of Events to see all the Show happenings. If you have questions, call the ATA at (507) 233-8130. And, if you haven’t already, download the ATA’s mobile app to make your Show experience more enjoyable.