I arrived in Las Vegas this past Saturday to serve as a judge for the JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) 2008 Innovation Awards. I was honored to serve as one of the 18 selected judges at this international event. Over 130 new products were submitted and only 10 will go home with the prestigious award.
The judging was difficult – many products were unique and a new concept in the children’s products. I also realized that many of the parent inventions were a result of years of hard work, family and financial sacrifice, as well as courage. The products were judged on innovation, marketability, trend-setting potential, appeal and usefulness.
Congratulations to the 2008 Innovation Award Winners!
I am attending the ABC Kids show this week, meeting with manufacturers and reps, establishing relationships with vendors that allows me to provide feedback about products and how they fit in the travel world. It is an exciting time – finding many incredible new products and meeting some people who I only have had email contact with up to this point.
But the really exciting part is the many fascinating inventors, public relations reps, manufacturers, product reps, family business owners, etc. I have met. The show is closed to the general public and is industry only. So everyone in attendance has a similar mindset. They believe in products that make a valuable difference to children and their parents!
Needless to say, my mind is tired at the end of a full day walking and talking with these people in the Las Vegas convention center.
I have some great news for Jet with Kids readers…
In the coming months, I will introduce you to some FABULOUS, FUN, VALUABLE, AND CONVENIENT products that are useful for traveling. Even better news? I have set up some wonderful connections directly with these manufacturers… What does that mean to you? Your input and feedback matters now more than ever. I have set up these relationships so that I have direct access to many product managers, marketing teams, inventors, owners, and safety advocates. I enjoy providing feedback to manufacturers -and informing them what works for the everyday life of a traveling parent. Does their product stand up to the Jet with Kids test of being multi-functional and one that makes a difference? Will it pass the safety freak nurse/mother/travel expert testing? I was very impressed at the show at how open and welcoming these manufacturers were to honest feedback.
So look for some exciting months ahead – introducing you to these new and fabulous products as well as some incredible product give-aways for readers.
Stay tuned….it will be worth it!
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