By Roger Porter
One of the most popular offerings of the annual Montana Tavern Association convention is the industry trade show.
This year's show will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Bulldog Convention Center and WestCoast Outlaw Hotel and is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 11 and from 10 a.m. until noon on Wednesday, the 12th.
Many attendees to the convention single out the trade show as one of the prime attractions of the convention and many of them hold their purchases in order to place them at the trade show.
In addition to replenishing regular stocks, the trade show gives tavern owners an opportunity to see for themselves new and exciting products entering the marketplace.
It is always interesting to look back and see how the show has evolved over the years. Ten or 15 years ago the most dominant displays at the trade show were those of the brewers. Although still a force in the show, their dominance has been replaced in more recent years by the gaming machine manufacturers.
Now rapidly gaining ground are those representing the spirits industry. It is interesting to note how these trade shows reflect a gradual shift in industry interests.
This year the big three, Coors, Anheuser/Busch and Miller once again have booths and will have samples available throughout the day. Jim Haney of Coors, Greg Seiger of Miller and Chuck Haseman and Jim Bencik of Anheuser/Busch will all be on hand to answer your questions and provide an overview of new products. They will be ably assisted by representatives of the local distributors Fun Beverage and Flathead Beverage.
Those who are interested in video gaming machines will certainly have a full plate to choose from as Montana' leading vendors will all be on hand including Summit Gaming, Fleetwood Gaming, IGT and Spielo.
If your tastes run to something a little stronger than beer you should be able to conjure up any drink you wish as the cream of the crop will be in attendance representing the leading distillers in the world.
Visit with the fellows from Barton Brands, famous for Black Velvet, or the Jim Beam boys from Future Brands. Young' Market, the state's leading representative of distilled spirits will be out in force with eight booths with many labels and distillery representatives in attendance to answer your questions.
Smith Marketing of Billings will also have their products on display. Southern Wine and Spirits West under the watchful eye of long time representative Bob Schreiner will also be on hand representing their firm's many lines.
And, what would a tavern trade show be without the suppliers of the basic everyday items used by all bars and restaurants, plus a smattering of new products? Visitors to this show will be delighted with the many vendors representing bar and restaurant supplies.
Hayloft equipment, which in addition to basic bar and restaurant supplies also represents Chester Fried Chicken, will be in attendance, as will Sysco of Montana. Bar and restaurant purveyor, Tri State Restaurant Supply, an active supporter of this year's convention and trade show, will have a display as will Turbo Chef and Bargreen Ellingson, with offices in Missoula and Billings.
For those in search of sportswear for the teams you sponsor, check with Exact Image or The Shirt Shop for silk screened products, or long time trade show personality Mike Roberts of Tell a Graphics Sportswear, whose firm specializes in embroidered logos.
If you are in search of electronic gadgetry to ease your accounting and checks and balances, visit with Cummins-Allison for currency counting equipment and Datrue Process Automation and Data Northwest for state of the art equipment and software for office and point of sale.
For expert advice in making your business more productive and general accounting services, take a few minutes and chat with Sabina White representing JCCS, one of the state's leading accounting firms.
Want to dazzle your customers with delectable drinks from the islands? Then stop in at the Island Oasis display and sample one of their many slushy concoctions which are favorites year round. Making these elaborate drinks was never any easier than with the Island Oasis machine.
Although we are all caught up in the so called computer or electronic age, many bar owners are still haunted by bad checks. When your customers start reaching in your pocket it is time to contact Auto Check which offers check collection services across the state.
As we all know crime doesn't take a holiday and that is the best reason to arm your establishment with the latest in security equipment. Stop in at Alert Security and see what is the latest equipment designed to give you, and your customers, peace of mind.
How' your insurance? If it is not adequate or you're paying too much stop in and visit with the MTA' endorsed carrier, HUB. HUB representative John Hayes pioneered the tailored-for-taverns coverages and while you're at it, question him about the firm's new health insurance packages.
Coin ConneXions is one of the firms providing accounting software and hardware to work with the state's internet based reporting for gaming machines. The trade show gives you a great opportunity to see what' in store.
Brilliant Products is new to the show this year. However, many tavern owners can't help but have seen their lighted trees springing up across the state. In addition to the trees, Brilliant also has a great line of lighted signs designed to catch the customer's eye.
Long time displayer Valley Welders, with offices across the state, is a supplier of a variety of gases used primarily in drink dispensers.
Profitech Hospitality and D & R Coffee Service, Inc. are new to the show so we'll let you track them and see for yourself what they have to offer.
This completes our review of the trade show. Hopefully we've piqued your interest and you'll take adequate time to visit each and every display.
Also remember, Tuesday features the trade show lunch and cocktail hour, a good time to rehash the day's finds.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, September, 2007, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.