Atlanta Hosts NACS Show
AAR walked the show and was amazed at the number of products and variety trying to gain or keep distribution. With a strong expertise in CPG Advertising, the show allowed me to visit many prospects and clients in one setting. In a world all about innovation, the beverage and tobacco entities took the show. Coke was launching its new energy drink which was center stage in the expansive coca-cola booth. I really did not notice Pepsi but did see Topo-Chico with new flavors. In addition we saw many small energy beverage companies selling gain this important shelf space for the category. In the alcoholic beverage category, the "innovation" of the moment is just copy the success of White Claw, Truly and other soda and liquor drinks. Looks like the beer guys have walked by a fraternity dumpster recently and seen that their market has a real challenger.
With the news still fresh from the vaping health problems across the country, the vape guys showed up anyway. You kinda of felt sorry for the guys because who knows what will happen with the national emergency at hand. Other tobacco innovations were mouth tobacco products or dips that did not have tobacco. Many were flavored salts that served to host nicotine and others had no nicotine but featured herbs or green tea plus a caffeine kicker.
While I was there, I made considerable efforts to convince the car wash sales guys to sell me one for my garage at home. They assured me that it would not be a good investment and that it could be a danger to the children. Still, it sounds fun.
For any Southern football fan, the product of the show was a test tube that fit into a false tampon sleeve so that fans can carry booze into their dry stadium on game day. BRILLIANT!!
Seriously, this was a big show for Atlanta and Atlanta Marketing. From what I could tell I was the only Atlanta advertising guy walking the aisles. I still like to put a face with a name in my new business efforts.
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