I Can See Wall-to-Wall Specialty Chemical Networking at InformexUSA 2011

Posted: 06/11/10 at 11:09 AM

by Liesa Brown, SOCMA Director of Marketing and Public Relations

This time last week, I was basking in the North Carolina sun with more than 20 other marketing professionals from the specialty chemical manufacturing industry. On June 3, we all took advantage of a free Charlotte Convention Center site visit and city tour organized by the Informex staff with the help of the Charlotte  Travel & Tourism.

Click here to view a photo gallery of the tour.

I have to admit, when I first heard InformexUSA would be taking place in Charlotte, NC in 2011, I was a little nervous about the choice. Being originally from Chicago, I’ve always considered Charlotte a “small” town, and wasn’t sure how a global trade show like Informex  would “fit”. However, I knew the Informex team chose the location based on attendee survey feedback. So, ever since January 2010, I have kept my mind open to the possibilities of the location and gladly accepted the invitation from JJ, Brand Director of Informex, to join my fellow trade show exhibitors for a guided tour of the city and meeting space.

Boy, am I glad I did! I now have a newfound appreciation for Charlotte as an established, yet ever-evolving cultural center of the South offering great conference space, lots to see and do, and still makes you feel at home. Here are a few highlights of what our group experienced, as well as my professional impression of its Informex potential.


The Charlotte Convention Center is across the street from the Hilton AND The Westin hotels

Along with the Informex staff, we first met at the Charlotte Convention Center to have a look around and get a feel for the flow of the upcoming tradeshow. NOTE: The Convention Center is located within a few blocks of 5 major hotels – all of which, I understand will have special “Informex” rates for the show. You’ll probably want to Google Map these hotels ASAP to choose where you want to stay. Then get ready to book your rooms as soon as rates are available. I’m sure discounted rates on “southern” prices won’t last long!


Like a “split-level house”: 1st floor – Reception; 2nd Floor – Meeting Space and Ballrooms; Lower Level – Show Floor

Anyway, again, the first stop was the Convention Center. I found the convention center a pleasant and refreshing surprise. I’ve managed SOCMA’s booth at Informex for 9 years, and though, each tradeshow venue had its perks and points, I think Charlotte’s Convention Center has the potential to have it all. Not only is the space easy to access from neighboring hotels (Hilton and Westin practically outside of opposite doors; also has a Charlotte Lynx Light Rail stop), but it was clean, modern and well-designed with a show like ours in mind. The Convention Center was large, but not so large that we’ll waste time trying to find or get to where we need to go. Nor should we have difficulty meeting up with others throughout the building, bumping into people we know, or making new contacts in the halls. There is even a Starbucks, Einstein Bagels and Bo Jangles in its food court!


This didn’t taste like convention center food

After touring convention facilities, we enjoyed a great lunch in one of the Convention Center ballrooms. The Convention Center boasts a dedicated staff with long work history with the facility. In addition, their head chefs were handpicked from culinary hot spots to satisfy the demands of various taste requirements and to also appeal to eclectic appetites. We ended our Convention Center experience with an interactive refresher on important do’s and don’ts of exhibiting. After all, an effective exhibit is what we all want. Am I right?


How about treating your clients to an evening of neon bowling or bull riding? They’ll never forget it!

The next stop was Charlotte’s EpiCentre entertainment complex located in the City Center. From the Convention Center, we walked a few (hot) blocks to meet the managers of several unique entertainment spots we could all consider for entertaining clients. From a casual bar to a swanky indoor/outdoor lounge to a private bowling alley with its own bar, the EpiCentre has many close-by options to entertain guests after show hours.


There is a LOT of unique entertainment space to rent at The Music Factory in Charlotte

Next, we boarded a coach bus for a short ride to a not-too-hidden gem in Charlotte – The Music Factory. Once the easy-access road was finished, an oasis of event venues, bars and restaurants was built to accommodate any crowd’s taste. There’s a place called Wet Willie’s with a New Orlean’s style wall of daiquiris, a very manly saloon-like pub, complete with lots of comfy large leather chairs… there’s also convertible spaces available to customize for your needs. Want to hire a band to wow guests? No problem! There are a few stage options including The Fillmore Charlotte which you can rent for a private concert. But the ultimate is my favorite venue – Butter NC. An very special, very cozy upscale club designed for serious exclusivity.

I’ve only touched on the highlights of our tour of Charlotte, NC which will be the home of InformexUSA 2011 and only scratched the surface of the benefits I see to us moving here next year. Overall, I get the feeling Informex will fit right in in Charlotte. Everything we need will be close. I think we’ll feel like Informex has taken over the city... with wall-to-wall specialty chemical networking opportunities.



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