So many things that I could be talking about as we enter into November. It could be the announcement of the finalists and winners of our Design Excellence Awards contest. That’s got some people excited and eager, for sure.

But no, I’m talking about the PLMA Show in suburban Chicago.

Since I started here in March, I’ve heard about the PLMA Show. How big and expansive the show was, how it was THE place for people in our industry to gather each year.

And over the months that’s built up. Each time I head to a show and meet retailers or suppliers, our conversations generally end with a question about whether the other party will be at PLMA. The answer, usually yes, is then followed by a “See you there!”

And now, finally, the time has come. In the middle of the month we’ll all gather for a couple of days in Rosemont and swap stories and business cards, talk about kids and family, peddle our products and allow our charm to exude from our bodies.

I truly cannot wait.

After spending some years writing about local businesses hit hard by the global recession, it’s very refreshing to be able to talk with so many companies that are surviving, thriving, and optimistic, despite the fact that many of our global economies haven’t fully turned around yet.

It’s a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit that is alive at companies big and small in private label, the ones who are able to succeed with better efficiencies, better customer awareness, better service.

All of those features will be on display in Rosemont, whether it’s at the booths where exhibitors will be enticing passers-by to stop and chat for a while, or at luncheons and events held around the show.

What I do know is that we’re expecting somewhere around 4,500 visitors to the show. And although that sounded like a ton to me when I started here, it means there are plenty of you reading this magazine today who are not planning to be at the show.

Our magazine reaches about 24,000 readers. The National Association of Convenience Stores show in Las Vegas last month attracted somewhere between 23,000 and 30,000 visitors alone.

That’s a ton of people who could benefit from the show and its features who will not be in attendance. But luckily for them,
we will. So turn to us online at www.privatelabelbuyer.com for all the latest from this year’s show, follow us on Twitter @PLBuyer for news from the show floor, like us on Facebook to see pictures from the event, and check out the December and January issues for complete follow-up coverage.

We are your source for the best information in the industry. So be sure to stop by our booth, #600-701, and say hi to our crew. Drop off a business card if we’re not around so we have the chance to talk later, and be sure to come by at 11 a.m. Nov. 12 to hear us announce our Design Excellence Awards winners live!