Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Are you going to ISS Long Beach? Here’s Why You Should!


Three questions I’m often asked are:
1. Which machine should I buy?
2. Which thread should I use?
3. You look great! How much weight have you lost?

The good news I have for you today is that 2/3 of those questions are easily answered at the ISS Long Beach Show this month (and the third is confidential). For those of you who live on the west coast, it’s easy to get to Long Beach; for those of you who live in the Midwest and Northeast – it’s gonna be cold, oh so cold, at home but the temperatures in Long Beach on the weekend of the how are forecast to be in the low 70s.

So you arrive at the show on Friday and visit all the machine people: Brother and Melco, ZSK and Barudan, Texmac (Happy) and Hirsch (Tajima). Just come to the show with some idea of what you need and want, visit all the booths, ask your questions, watch demonstrations and request references (for happy, satisfied machine owners in your neighborhood), make comparisons and possibly a buying decision.

In the afternoon, you can investigate threads: Gunold and Amann, A&E and Wire & Rapos (Elize USA) and Madeira. Visit all the booths; ask for new thread cards and samples and when you visit Madeira (Booth #100 - in the interest of full disclosure, I work for Madeira USA on the days I’m not fishing) ask about the new Classic Rayon colors (42 solid) and the new Polyneon colors (74 solid), as well as some new products to help you be even more successful. Additionally, ask about the show special. Yikes! What deals! Be sure we have your current email address so we can keep you apprised of periodic sales and specials through 2015 and beyond.

On Saturday, check out the other stuff in which you’ll have some interest: bags, apparel, stock designs, sportswear, fleece, caps, T-shirts, towels, workwear, backing and stabilizers (Madeira again).

Then, on Saturday evening, have a good dinner and a walk along the waterfront. On Sunday, have a hearty breakfast or brunch and find a raucous sports bar to watch the two NFL Conference games. My predictions: Panthers vs. Packers at 3:05 PM and then the Patriots vs. Broncos at 6:40 PM.
Then take the early flight home on Monday and embroider!