What is "Meet the Market"?
"Meet the Market" is a special program designed to provide registered exhibitors with the opportunity to present their company and products to retailers through a series of NACDS-arranged appointments — over 10,000 in an eight hour period!
When is "Meet the Market"?
Sunday, June 28 from 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Where is "Meet the Market" held?
Boston Convention & Exhibition Center - 3rd Floor, Ballroom Level
More Information
Which of these questions best fits your purpose at Marketplace:
Do you have a new product/service to present?
Do you buy products/services?
"Meet the Market" Floor appointments are no longer available, as the preliminary scheduling is in process. Companies signing up as of COB 5/15 will be in the second round of scheduling closer to the conference and will have a limited schedule. |
Who is eligible to participate?
- All "First-Time Exhibitors."
- Any exhibitor who has a "New Product or Service" that has been launched since July 2008 or will be launched in 2009 is eligible. If you have exhibited at a Marketplace Conference in prior years, but have a "New Product or Service," you are eligible.
Is there a fee?
There is no additional fee; however, sign-up for "Meet the Market" is required in addition to your Booth Application and Individual Registration.
How does it work?
There are two formats of appointments:
"Meet the Market" Table Program Appointments for Suppliers
- NACDS will schedule your company to meet with buyers in your category(s) through a series of 10-minute appointments. The schedule will be communicated through your main representative's online appointment planner approximately two weeks prior to Marketplace.
- Eligible exhibitors may designate two representatives to work together in the program; however, the company will have only one schedule of appointments.
- All scheduled appointments are based on the product category(s) that you indicate on your "Meet the Market" Exhibitor registration form.
"Meet the Market" Exhibit Hall Appointments for Suppliers
As an extension of the Table Program, NACDS may schedule your company to meet with a limited number of buyers in your category(s) at your booth during Exhibit Hall hours on Monday, Tuesday, and/or Wednesday. These appointments will be 15 minutes each.
How do I register?
Eligible companies must complete the "Meet the Market" supplier registration form, available in early 2009.
Retail/Chain Participants
Who is eligible to participate?
Individuals registered for the Marketplace Conference as "Chain/Retailer" should e-mail aklapmust@nacds.org for more information and eligibility requirements.
How does it work?
NACDS will schedule appointments for you based on information provided on your Retailer Registration Form, available in early 2009. There are two formats for appointments:
"Meet the Market" Table Program Appointments for Retailers
- Your company may designate buyers to engage in this program. NACDS will schedule each participant with 10-minute appointments according to the categories selected on their Retailer Registration Form.
- Each participating buyer will be assigned to a table on Sunday, June 28 from 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- Supplier participants circulate among the assigned tables to present their products according to the NACDS-arranged schedules.
- Senior retail executives or representatives without schedules may accompany their participating buyers during the "Meet the Market" Table Program.
"Meet the Market" Exhibit Hall Appointments for Retailers
- As an extension of the Table Program, NACDS will schedule participating buyers to meet with up to 5 supplier companies at their booths during Exhibit Hall hours on Monday, Tuesday, and/or Wednesday.
- These appointments will be 15 minutes each.