Recently in Imaging Expo Category

If you haven't already done so, can you please take a moment to complete a short exhibitor survey? Your valuable feedback will help us to improve Imaging USA for next year. And, if you respond by Friday, February 3, you'll be entered in our random drawing for five $50 Amazon gift certificates. Click here to begin: https://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/c193g4e326

We would like to extend a big "thank you" to all exhibitors who participated in Imaging USA 2012 in New Orleans. We truly appreciate your commitment to play an active role in the industry and meet photographers face to face. We hope you not only had a great time, but also walked away with strong relationships and great sales.

The Imaging USA attendee list is now available to all exhibitors. If you have questions, please contact your PPA sales representative.

And don't forget to check out the buzz at the Imaging USA social networking sites. Attendees and PPA staff posted updates, photos and video clips throughout the show:

• Facebook: Facebook.com/ImagingUSA
• Twitter: Twitter.com/ImagingUSA
• Flickr: Flickr.com/groups/imagingusa/
• Daily News and Videos: ImagingUSA.org/news

Thank you again to all exhibitors and sponsors, and we look forward to seeing you next year in Atlanta for Imaging USA 2013!

• GES Discount Deadline - If you're exhibiting at Imaging USA, don't miss the deadline (December 23, 2011) for receiving significant discounts from GES, our official service contractor. In order to properly service the exhibition, GES must receive your orders by that date if you want to snag the early order discount unless indicated otherwise on the form. (Of course, you can order later--even at the show site--but the prices will not be near as nice!)

• Mobile App Coming Soon - We're excited to announce that Imaging USA will have its very own mobile app, coming this November! To make your show experience better than ever, we will be putting everything at your fingertips, including detail schedules, exhibitor and product directories, local map, Imaging USA updates via a built-in messenger, etc.

• Act Fast for the Best Hotels - As an exhibitor or sponsor at Imaging USA, you want to concentrate on meeting your clients on the show floor. You don't want to tire yourself out with a long trek to and from the convention center...because of a hotel that's too far away. So,  make your room reservations now before more of our reserved hotels sell out: http://imagingusa.org/hotels-travel/

• Be Wary of Non-Approved Vendors - It has come to our attention that non-approved vendors have been contacting exhibitors in attempts to sell housing and services at Imaging USA. Please be wary of such solicitations. PPA in no way endorses these companies, and we want to warn you that such companies (ones that "poach" housing and services) often are not trustworthy or reliable. Remember that your Imaging USA hotel arrangements may be made at http://imagingusa.org/hotels-travel. (And you can pick up the sleeping room promo code there, too.) In addition, the approved vendors for Imaging USA 2012 include:

• GES - General Contractor/Decorator
• Freeman - Audio Visual
• CDS - Lead Retrieval (Badge Scanners)
• Total Plant & Floral
• Alamo Security

PPA is launching a new Imaging USA registration system in November. Features will include an integrated Expo Pass invitation system, social media integration and an easy-to-use vendor registration system. Look for complete information in early November.  

Are you going to showcase your company and products at Imaging USA in New Orleans? If so, share the love with your best customers! There's a great deal photographers can use to build up their businesses and join you at Imaging USA for free:

If a photographer joins Professional Photographers of America (PPA) as a new Professional Active member, he or she gets a free registration to Imaging USA! (www.ppa.com/joinppa/)

By spreading awareness of this deal you will not only encourage photographers to visit your Imaging EXPO booth, you'll also help them find the resources and support they need to continually grow (with PPA membership)--which is also good for YOUR business! (And your customers are sure to enjoy the savings that you'll share with them.)

Here is sample copy you could use in spreading the word about this deal:

• Want to say bye-bye to your competition and hello to better images, better sales and better business? Join Professional Photographers of America (PPA) as a new Professional Active member now, and get one full registration to Imaging USA absolutely FREE! There's simply no better place (or price!) to harvest the know-how you need to succeed with your pro photography. It's the best deal of the year, so join PPA now and join Imaging USA in New Orleans!
• Time is money, so what if we told you about a way to save both while improving your skills? Join Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and go free to Imaging USA in New Orleans--you'll find inspiration for your photography and pick up some serious business know-how, all in one place, in just a few action-packed days.
• We're always on the lookout for deals that can help you out--and here's a great one: Join Professional Photographers of America (PPA) as a new Professional Active member now, and you'll get one full registration to Imaging USA absolutely FREE! Your business could thrive with PPA's resources...and by attending Imaging USA's gathering of great minds, product deals and inspiration. (And you'll save more than you pay, so it's a win-win!)

Not involved with Imaging USA yet (as an exhibitor or sponsor)? There's still time to make a big impression. Get booth and sponsorship information here: imagingusa.org/exhibitor-resources/

We're looking forward to helping you make a big impression at Imaging USA 2012 in New Orleans! Here are a few important reminders:

• Your final booth payment is due October 1, 2011.
• Several of our reserved hotels have already sold out! Make your room reservations now to get the special Imaging USA rates: imagingusa.org/hotels-travel/

Not involved with Imaging USA yet (as an exhibitor or sponsor)? There's still time! Get booth and sponsorship information here: imagingusa.org/exhibitor-resources/

Imaging USA is where professional photographers go to start their year off right. It's your best customers' one-stop shop. It's the place they go to learn how to make more money.

And for you, it's the right place at the right time.

Imaging USA is your chance to impress, excite and motivate the influential decision makers in your core market. But are you? Will you? As you've probably heard before, the first impression you make is often the one that lasts. So, don't limit your Imaging USA exposure to your exhibit space, depending on walk-by traffic to have a successful show. Raise your brand, your products and your services above the rest with a sponsorship that guarantees your company stays top of mind.

Sponsorships can expand your company's Imaging USA convention and trade show experience, putting your name in highly visible and unexpected locations. They help you make big--and powerful--impressions on thousands of potential customers.

Start making your plans today! Contact your Sponsorship Manager to learn how we can help you create those impressions.

We're headed to New Orleans for the latest in education, good times with the best of friends and the hottest industry event January 15-17, 2012!

Can you believe it's almost time for registration to open? Can you tell we're excited about this year's venue and convention? There are still booths and sponsorship opportunities available, so don't miss out. The full website with schedules, speakers, tracks and more will be live soon, and the first advertising sections in Professional Photographer magazine are slated for July 1. So, if you're thinking about going big at Imaging USA, now is the time to jump in and get the party started. For more information on sponsorships, promotional opportunities and booth space, contact Bill Kelly at 404-522-8600 x248.

Be prepared to see more buyers than shoppers at this year's Imaging USA EXPO! Through United Funding (PPA's Affinity Partner for equipment financing), PPA members have the opportunity to get pre-approved for loans prior to the show. This gives members the ability to walk onto the tradeshow floor and make purchases right there on the spot. It's like walking around with a fistful of money.

How do you know who is pre-approved? All PPA members who go through the pre-approval process will receive a green "approved" sticker to put on their Imaging USA badges. If you see a photographer with a green sticker, you know they've got money to spend!

So now you know why Imaging USA is a good way to reach your best prospects...and either you've already reserved your booth space, or you're getting ready to pick up the phone and call your PPA representative. How can you squeeze every dime of value out of your participation? Here are a few suggestions and tips:

1. Submit your show specials now. We're advertising show specials on the website, in our weekly e-mail campaigns, in Professional Photographer magazine and in our social media campaigns. This is an excellent way to create greater brand awareness before the show and drive traffic to your booth while you're there.
2. Plan your product launch around Imaging USA and let us know so we can help you promote it. We post press releases on our blogs, and we keep up a steady stream of social media traffic while we're at the show, so share your good news with us. We'll help you get the word out.
3. Distribute your free Imaging EXPO passes. Every vendor is given free EXPO passes to send to their customers and prospects. As a matter of fact, the vendor who creates the most traffic to the special, vendor-only free EXPO page receives over $5,000 in prizes for the 2012 show!
4. Offer a prize in our weekly Imaging USA giveaway. We've already had thousands of consumer participants, and we'll continue the contest all the way to opening day. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved! Your company and product will be mentioned in a weekly Imaging USA e-mail, our weekly PPA Today newsletter and through our Twitter and Facebook accounts. It's a simple way to create buzz about your products, especially anything new.
5. Consider sponsorship opportunities. There are many ways you can create additional exposure for your brand at Imaging USA, from signs and banners to event sponsorship and even IUSA TV, but you need to act now--inventory is selling quickly. Take a look at the exhibitor resources page on the Imaging USA website for a complete list of what's available. Oh, and if you have an idea, don't hesitate to let us know. We are always open to crafting custom sponsorships to help you get the most bang for your Imaging USA buck.

Finally, don't forget to make your hotel reservations. The Grand Hyatt Hotel block has already sold out, but there are still great rooms available in both the Marriott hotels, which are right next door to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. It's going to be a great show, and we can't wait to see you in the heart of Texas in January!