revised trade showtour 3 (1)

2014 Baseball Winter Meetings Trade Show

@njh287; www.dsmsports.net

One of the highlights of the annual Baseball Winter Meetings in the Baseball Trade Show, at which vendors from several verticals pitch their product or service to baseball club representatives.What follows is a little “tour” of the 2014 Trade Show, held in San Diego, CA December 8-11.This is the 3rd of 3 decks. See more at www.dsmsports.net.

Had to include this, uh, exciting booth – American Licorice.

Tip: Make a straw from Red Vines – bite off both ends, insert in drink, enjoy!



Two Hands Pro wants to help train your hands to operate optimally, including when they're inside your baseball mitt fielding or catching the ball.



Another family-friendly live entertainment show. There is no shortage of need for ways to get fans to the ballpark beyond just the game itself.



Booth Traffic offers not just device chargers, but interactive screens that teams can utilize in any number of ways for fans to use while juicing their mobile devices.



This exhibitor specialized in installed novelty items, most often pitched to use for showcasing sponsors and events. This sample showed how First Third Bank showed off their presentation of an MiLB All-Star Game.



API seeks to provide a more full-service branded apparel manufacturer for teams – by producing the apparel and helping to formulate the look and brand. A brand/apparel marketing group.



Mizuno is one of those iconic baseball brands whose name is so well-known among baseball folks that they did not need an overly ostentatious setup to engage prospects in sales conversations.



The Skillville Group certainly caught the attention of curious onlookers with their booth, as they pitched their family-friendly, game day entertainment suitable for minor league baseball and any sport looking for live supplemental entertainment.



While most clothing companies looked designed for men (and promo photos reflected as such), there were a handful targeting women, including this booth.



This exhibitor was promoting their “Max Bat,” and what stands out is Wil Myers being the face of their brand. MLB is clearly in need of a “face” of baseball, in general, as Myers is by no means a star at this point in his young career.



Future POS was one of several exhibitors in this space and, while most of their clients are in the retail space, was seeking more in sports/venue/entertainment. Their sales pitch included pushing the digital and mobile nature of their POS systems.



PSG is a promotional item business, with licensed sports deals and some degree of vertical integration in the manufacturing space, was on-hand pushing the versatility of their capabilities and Fortune 500 clients.



This exhibitor, who claimed to be the masterminds of popularizing the bobble head in the late 1990s, specialize in producing game day giveaways for sports teams. A fun, necessary niche, especially in baseball.



While Majestic runs the show for MLB jerseys, there is ample opportunity for production of uniforms for MiLB (and independent league) teams.



Coopersburg, which primarily makes customized, specialty wood bats (including mini bats as seen in the photo), gained acclaim when they appeared on the TV show 'The Profit' and have plans to expand beyond MLB, to NASCAR, NFL, and NCAA.



Many of the minor and independent baseball leagues had booths, but Team Dinger is an AZ-based non-profit that operates teams for players of all ages on competitive, travel teams.



One of many seating companies, this exhibitor offered customizable designs, a variety of seat styles, and boasted of their resume with sports facilities, among other venues they've outfitted.



All-weather field covers that pitched superior material and protection, as well as customizable designs to fit any field.



Not a lot of competition, it would appear, in this space as this was one of the few exhibitors at the show specializing in mascot design and costume construction. Some fun and creative folks there, I'm sure!



A company that has long thrived with printed items diversifying, now, with video brochures, as well. Video production was a common service offered by several exhibitors at the Trade Show.



How did we ever survive without being able to have the option for chocolate chip cookie or pretzel ice cream cones?



While many apparel brands had some products for women, this was the only brand at the Trade Show specializing solely in women's team apparel and offered unique items, too, like fedoras. (more pics in next slide)



It wouldn't be a Baseball Trade Show without the next big thing that will dramatically improve your game. This one featured a special weighted bat designed to optimize hand movement and swing mechanics.They also had an Instagram contest and made use of QR codes in their setup.



This exhibitor had some horizontal integration to streamline the laundry process for teams looking to leverage their service while paying less per load and getting custom treatment of their clothing.



Another of the exhibitors specializing in custom wood bat production. Not sure if this is a growing space or just THE major opportunity for such manufacturers to get sales leads.



In addition to all of the exhibitor booths, the Trade Show offered speakers (other panels were held at the hotel hosting the Winter Meetings) from MLB and MiLB about various sports business and team topics.



Not a water bottle manufacturer (despite the table setup), but another architectural design group that specialized in taking on sports venue projects.



While several companies in the pro sports space are providing venue-wide solutions combining digital signage, WiFi connectivity, and content management, this company specialized in digital signs for any kind of use. Certainly useful for any sports team.



This interesting device claims to enhance laundering by getting clothes cleaner, dried faster, and more wrinkle-free. Room for innovation in the laundry space? Perhaps.



Game schedule magnets should be a must for any sports team. An easy way to get free advertising on fans' fridges.



This was the only exhibitor showcasing a photo booth for your sports venue. While it was pretty expensive, these are a great way to create fan memories, share-able content, and activation opportunities for teams.



This exhibitor was your sign/decal/graphic/banner solution all-in-one with the ability to outfit small signs to large walls and venues.



Another POS solution, NCR offered menu and inventory management, as well as loyalty capabilities with their software for sports venues.



While there was no shortage of promotional item manufacturers, Matthews International specialized in trophies and memorial items. Good niche space, especially or leagues and partners.



These items may look more suited for a county fair, but could certainly see them being viable merchandise targeted to kids for sports teams.



One of a few exhibitors specializing in pyrotechnics, fireworks, and other special effects for live entertainment.





The HeavySwing isn't just a bat doughnut replacement, but also claimed to help optimize hand movement inside the ball and other hitting mechanics.



Your team's venue clearly isn't complete without a 'Fan Can.' Nice touch with the helmet-shaped coverings with team logos!



For years, pitchers would use the 'Towel Drill' to strengthen their arm, but this exhibitor thinks The Rope can mimic that technique while also helping hone one's grip for throwing/pitching.



TS Sports works with Panasonic and Lighthouse and goes all-in specializing in providing LED signage boasting their singular focus and personal installation is superior to their competitors in the space.



This seating company's sales pitch included an impressive resume of experience with stadiums and arenas, as well as versatile seating options to suit custom needs.



Not sure how common or popular team-branded eyewear is, but it could be a product worth exploring, whether custom frames for eye glasses or promotional (cheap) sunglasses. Especially useful for minor league clubs slogging through summer games. And maybe team or custom sunglasses for players?



The spotlight was on this salesman, representing a company that specializes in stadium lighting.



This exhibitor's technology focused primarily on tracking and integrating game day sponsor activations and inventory, but also has ancillary services to streamline all event operations, too.



Catchy slogan for this exhibitor, which offered inking services for shirt designs and apparel lettering.



Another 'revolutionary' bat weight to improve your hitting. Their differentiating factor, beyond claiming to train hitting better than competitors (of course), were custom-sized and colored weights for individual player needs and preferences.



A niche need for sports teams, especially stick and ball sports, this exhibitor provided custom netting and padding, both manufacturing and installation.


I hope you enjoyed the preceding 'tour' of the Baseball Trade Show! For more content from the Baseball Winter Meetings, particularly the Job Fair, visit www.dsmsports.net.

Be sure to also see decks 1 and 2!


revised trade showtour 3 (1)

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