Seen at The Show

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It’s a ribbon-cutting extravaganza with Michele Marini Pittenger, president of the Travel Goods Association, and Robert Dodson, chair of the TGA Board and CEO of Ricardo Beverly Hills, supported by the TGA Board of Directors.

Sarah Smith of Briggs & Riley is left holding the bag while Becky Hale and Mark Pantelakis from ILC Travel Outfitters check pockets and test zippers on the Transcend VX Rolling Cabin Bag.

Scott Tait from new exhibitor Dorma – Sleep Well, Arrive Revived gets the inside scoop from Hans Schneider of COCOON by Design Salt, over a display of waterproof Monsoon Silk™ Secret Neck Wallets.

Chuck Breger and Mariam Bowen from Jet-Setter examine the three-tiered Hanging Travel Shelves made by Stow-N-Go®, one of 100+ exciting new items debuting in the New Products Pavilion.

We’re going to need a bigger mug: Mary Beth Rodriguez, Ryan Thunberg, and Shimool Patel from Groupon get caffeinated outside registration on the first day of The 2018 International Travel Goods Show.

Look ma, no hands! Will Robertson from spAIRtray™ demonstrates the no-slip surface on the new instant-install spAIRtray airplane window shelf to Michael Medvedev from Travelflips.

Grant Kahn and Dekel Krampf of Cabeau demonstrate the Evolution S3, the new patent-pending Seat Strap System which attaches to an airplane seat, to Chenyu Liu of iYoho Corporation.

L.C. Industries’ Onboard™ Underseat Backpack catches the eye of Stephen Gay and MaryBeth Brejnik from NEXCOM who made the New Products Pavilion their first stop on the first day of The Show.

The first-morning throng of retailers, press and exhibitors zoom through the preregistration line at the start of The International Travel Goods Show, the world’s largest showcase for new travel products.

Advised by Geoff Koch of DELSEY Paris, Mark Stern and Joey Diamond from H. Savinar Luggage take note of their favorite DELSEY hardsides, while Bill Van Ess of DELSEY Paris stands ready to show the next case.

Logan Howe from Sharon Luggage carefully assembles a pre-season order with Kristina Fadely of Briggs & Riley.

Ana Paola Ramos and Michelle Castro from Coppel Corporation enjoy the on-trend steamer trunk details on metallic hardside luggage from Olympia USA, with the always dapper Tom Choi from Olympia USA.

By Sara Ecclesine | Photographs by Camilla Sjodin, Elite Photography Group

60 Summer 2018 Travel Goods SHOWCASE

Seen at The Show

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Anthony Manza from Traveling With MJ casts his Buzz Award ballot after reviewing all 113 products on display, including the ‘ROO POCKETS travel organizer in striking pink micro suede.

John Adams of Ricardo Beverly Hills demonstrates the RFID-blocking passport pocket and other interior organization features of a new carry-on spinner to Kika D’Amico of Costco.

Ted Lunsford, Tiffany Lunsford, and Jim Withington from Solo Sling demonstrate the multi-position Solo Sling, a double-arm sling that allows you to comfortably rest both your arms while reducing the strain on your shoulders.

Displaying the popular Victorinox Frequent Flyer Hardside Carry-on, Melissa Goodrich of Victorinox talks storage capacity with Steven Rooten of Rooten’s Luggage Center.

Adam Gorecki from Carry On Everything checks out the organization and style of the Briggs & Riley Travelware @work Medium Backpack, including RFID pockets and removable monogram-receptive leather patch.

Diego Hernandez from Rynn’s Luggage has an amazing Spiderman moment at the Marvel Comics display in the Heys luggage booth. Heys’ Marvel offerings include the Avengers and Captain America.

One-stop shopping: Yong Choe from COJ Baggage reviews the dozens of standard and rolling backpacks available from Olympia USA with Reese Yi of Olympia USA.

Lisl Smith of Matador shares a laugh with Gerald Wagman from It’s…In the Bag. It’s no joke: Matador’s pocket-size adventure gear is full-featured and fabulous.

David Kim from ABC Luggage and Repair and Robert Chu from Traveler’s Choice Travelware stroll past the extensive Traveler’s Choice hardside offerings, including the MAX PORTER II Hardside Spinner Trunk.

Gill Hardial of Voltage Valet and Tom Purtle of Hidesign discuss innovative Voltage Valet accessories, including the USB Power Strip and 4000 mAh Power Bank with Luggage Scale.

Grey in all its incarnations made a comeback this year, from smoke to ash and granite. Ryan Raskin from GOGOTECH admires a fashion-forward hardside in this year’s it color, presented by Dave Dungan of Ricardo Beverly Hills.

Comparing notes and making friends: with many attendees clocking 6+ miles a day on their feet, the Mountaintop Pub was a popular spot to relax, refuel and work on orders.

61Travel Goods SHOWCASE Summer 2018

Seen at The Show

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Why we go to The Show: Victorinox’s Rodney Tomlin describes the extensive updates made to the 2018 Victorinox collection to an appreciative Heather Conway of Kaehler Luggage.

Tabitha Yeasley from Matador demonstrates how to fold the surprisingly spacious Matador Pocket Blanket™ down to a pocket-size package for Todd Bingham from Buy Direct.

Elegant and ethically sourced: Jeswani Kamlesh and Kishore Vasnani of Nomad Lane suggest options for wallets and tech-accessory organizers to Kim Clark of Leather Inc.

Framed by jewel-tone backpacks and personal items, Willy van Dooijeweert and Linda van Dooijeweert from Urban Traveler shop and socialize in the LUG booth with old friend Grace Ham-Kim.

Ron Rodrigues of Walter + Ray demonstrates how the TAB™ Seatback Organizer fits inside the InTransit™ under seat-size travel bag for John Heth of Groskopf’s Luggage.

Demonstrating cozy comfort, Laura Wuerz and Julie Garcia give two thumbs up to the Tucker Travel Cover, a 4-in-1 wearable blanket that includes an internal pouch to tuck arms and a deep hood for privacy.

Graphic white or on-trend metallic? Kerry Glaesmer from Votruba Leather Goods reviews expandable hardside luggage options with Cindy King from Briggs & Riley.

Jayne Simmonds from Antler USA demonstrates some of the convertible features of the hardshell spinners in the 2018 Antler Collection with Terence Kirkel from Cellini in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Matador founder Chris Clearman and the exuberant Tamara Keller of Matador celebrate $300 Gear Giveaway winner Roy Kim of BrandsWalk.

Physical Therapist and founder Marilyn von Foerster of BackTpack demonstrates BackTpack’s unique bilateral carrying system to new Miami etailer Sean Glasford of Blck Luxe.

Gina Hoensheid of Seat Sitters talks airplane seat hygiene with Tom Nebeling of USB International. Travel seat cover kit includes a tray-table cover, two sanitary wipes, allergy mask and a nut-free sticker.

Wendy Knecht and Janice Perella from LongLat demonstrate how their soft-sided shoulder bag cleverly unzips to become a full-size duffle. Islamic tile-inspired print provides a fashion-forward finish.

62 Summer 2018 Travel Goods SHOWCASE

Seen at The Show

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Welcome reward for a job well done: at the close of the first day of The Show, attendees and exhibitors grab a nosh and a drink, and enjoy music and conversation at the Opening Night Party.

The party MVP award goes to Martin Banbury of HomingPIN, who traveled from Dunmow, UK for The Show, and still had the energy to attend the Opening Night Party with Sharna Law of Travel Goods Outlet.

Connecting face-to-face with a drink and a joke: Frank Fakhrzadeh of Traveltime and Kevin Tsai of Prima USA swap stories at the Opening Night Party.

Surrounded by the buzz of the Opening Night Party, Islei Rojas and Florent Perrichon from Travel Sentry/Okoban find a quiet corner to compare first-day stories.

Old friends Tom Lambrinides and Rick Antonoff of Jack Georges unwind at the Opening Night Party. Comparing notes, sharing a drink and a snack, and catching up is the best part of the day.

Also impressively immune to jet lag, Christophe Derez of Canada Luggage Depot, Raffi Stepanian of the Raffi Agency, and Amy Xie of Best Travel Co. network over end-of-day beers.

New friends Colleen Anders of Briggs & Riley, Adrian Solgaard of Solgaard Design and Jon Davies of Solo kick back with a beer.

For many, the Opening Night Party is the highlight of The Show. Carol Elms of Aleon and David Saad of Luggage World find time to chat about the upcoming travel season.

Teresa Mangione and Michelle Berrigan-Dreicer of Stein Mart are ready to relax and celebrate the close of the first day of The 2018 International Travel Goods Show.

Displaying classic New Yorker style, Mattia Cesco and Ronan Leonard of Tucano sip their drinks and review the day.

It’s The Show theme, and a terrific prize: Olena Somov of Cashiers Emporium enters The Show contest to “Get Up and Go” on a 2018 Honda Metropolitan Scooter.

Ron Davis of Antler USA, Jeff Backman and Paul Brusaschetti of Bergman Luggage, Leticia Davis of Travel Outfitters, Nadira Turgunbekova of Voltage Valet, and Sukh Bhatti and Gill Hardial of Bergman Luggage make it a party.

63Travel Goods SHOWCASE Summer 2018

Seen at The Show

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Mario Simonson of Mojo Licensing/Sports Luggage displays a Chicago Bulls-licensed pet carrier to Kiran Pathak, Namita Pathak and Anita Pathak of Peninsula Luggage.

A throng of excited retailers give a champagne toast to the effervescent Betsey Johnson and Scott Kosmin of 24-7 International. Betsey Johnson visited The Show to launch her new luggage collection.

Lightweight, flexible, and comfortable enough for long days of sightseeing: Jon Brookings of Propét USA and Deb Dewar of Packables Travel Solutions check out color and style options for travel shoes.

Surrounded by luggage large and small, Dave Dungan of Ricardo Beverly Hills runs through new 2018 model introductions with Kerry Glaesmer of Votruba Leather Goods.

Sophy Liu of new Show exhibitor Gumbley International posts an opportunity on the busy Manufacturers Seeking Sales Reps board in the TGA booth.

Bubbly and bonding: Betsey Johnson shares a moment with Elizabeth Morris of HSN during the 24-7 International Betsey Johnson Collection launch party.

New exhibitor Christian Cook of Néit demonstrates his fold-flat polypropylene luggage for Mario Yamauchi of YKK USA.

Jon Thiessen of U.N. luggage reviews the updated WERKS traveler collection with Glen Browne of Victorinox. Joining the presentation: Liza Costa of Wanderlust Travel Store.

Accessories are the secret weapon of every saavy retailer: Jeanne Brunetti of Travel Smart by Conair and Katrina Boyer of Abeona Travel Gear review the Conair accessory wall.

Modobag’s Brian O’Donnell takes a spin on the new Modobag, carry-on smart luggage you can ride. Modobag has an 11-mile range on a single charge, powered by removable TSA-accepted and IATA-compliant batteries.

Brazilian importers Elizabeth Oliveira and Fabio Fernandes of Maxlog Importação e Exportação and Andreas Giannakou of Benga International review the Benga catalog.

Linda Zhao of Best Travel Co. and Ellen Quirk of Magellen’s review the large selection of personal items, shoulder bags and backpacks in the Best Travel booth.

64 Summer 2018 Travel Goods SHOWCASE

Seen at The Show

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Katrin Mengel of TRU VIRTU hi-tech RFID-safe wallets demonstrates the distinctive CLICK & SLIDE wallet style to Luco Spano of VOCIER.

Larissa Begg of Bizhop Luggage demonstrates how the Unique Hanger Handle folds out to form a coat hanger, with founder Iain Begg of Bizhop (wearing his iconic kilt), while Jason Lowe of Best Travel Co. looks on.

Pawel Terlikowski of Scoocase.com demonstrates the new rideable Scoocase SuperSmart Electric Suitcase to Andreas Von Foerster of BackTpack.

Catherine Alexandrov of Big Skinny Wallets, makers of thin yet high-capacity RFID wallets, posts her card on the busy Manufacturers Seeking Sales Reps board located in the Sidewalk Café.

Jay Friedman from Lazar’s Luggage carefully examines the organization system and storage capacity of a casual CORDURA® business brief with Howard Schlesinger of ZERO Halliburton.

Mary Beth Buchanan, CEO of franchise travel agency GOwithHIPPO, tests the nod2.0 Ultimate Travel Pillow by Zdoze, assisted by Paula Blankenship of Zdoze.

Niki Singlaub of HYDAWAY, Kevin Garrity of Squeeze Pod and Brian Vernon of HYDAWAY share a moment of camaraderie as Garrity tests the collapsibility of the HYDAWAY bottle.

Baby needs new – packable adventure gear? Michelle Baird of the AAA Hoosier Motor Club tests her luck at the daily $300 Matador Gear giveaway.

The collapsible water bottle was everywhere this year, and Cristian Litscher of que Bottle represents the trend with a colorful, whimsical collection, presented to Joanne Reynolds of Intele Travel.

Jack Mishan from The Luggage Source marks his favorite carry-on spinners with Stephen DiBlasio of Ricardo Beverly Hills.

Snesh Gupta of Expressions presents the elegant and colorful wallets in the 2018 Expressions Collection to Laurie Ann Belcastro of That’s Our Bag.

David Pinkus of Kennedy International is all smiles as he claims his prize, a $300 Matador Gear giveaway from Chris Clearman and Tabitha Yeasley of Matador.

65Travel Goods SHOWCASE Summer 2018