IUSA Wrap Up

It's Marketing Monday and I can't think of a better topic than to share a few of my highlights from IUSA's trade show last week. If you missed the show, don't worry about it - just don't miss the next big shows coming up with WPPI and ShutterFest in March and April. Plus, there are a few regional and state conventions still coming up.

You need to attend every convention you can, not just to keep up with technology, but to network and fine tune your skill set. I've written a lot about this in the past. The first quarter is loaded with great opportunities to pick up new ideas to help you build a stronger business and so many of them are at the national, regional and state conventions.

The recent IUSA show in Nashville, was actually a pretty good show, which surprised a number of us. Last year's show in Phoenix was pretty flat, but Nashville had a good crowd and a lot of solid enthusiasm from a number of exhibitors. For me there were a few major highlights...

Marathon Press

There were a lot of new products/services being shown from Marathon, but what I loved the most was Bella Art Prints. First, the quality was outstanding. Second, I see Bella as having so many different applications for virtually every photographic specialty. Marathon printed a couple thousand posters to give away and even brought poster tubes. By the end of the show they were completely gone. 

Marathon is part of the SCU family, so you can count on seeing some helpful posts in the months ahead, all loaded with ideas on how to take full advantage of this new product. Here's a teaser...it's perfect for an engagement shoot and a clever way to do a "save the date" announcement, but with the look and feel of a Hollywood poster.

Panasonic and LUMIX

There's a reason why LUMIX is the camera line so many photographers have been talking about. Just Panasonic's tag line of "Changing Photography" says it all. I bumped into Ann Monteith, past PPA president, educator, artist and writer who never misses an IUSA convention, on Monday. She had a LUMIX FZ1000 around her neck and couldn't be happier with the results.

Panasonic had scheduled a number of interviews in the booth on various topics and just recently posted them on their YouTube channel. Nobody does it better than good buddy, Frederick Van Johnson of "This Week In Photo". He had a number of Luminaries on as guests, and yours truly even jumped in there for a discussion on industry trends. Ann Monteith joined Frederick and her interview is below.

There's a lot of great content in Luminary Corner here at SCU, but even more in the LUMIX Lounge. Panasonic, together with mirrorless technology is leading the way in creating more creative tools for photographers, virtually every day. All the videos from IUSA at the link I shared above were all shot in 4K with a GH4 and my own shots, just grab shots from the convention, were all done with the GH3. 

Isn't time you took a LUMIX camera out for a test drive?

Shutter Magazine

Shutter Magazine and "Team Cincotta" is setting a new standard with everything they do. They had a huge booth close to the entrance of the show and demonstrated repeatedly why the magazine, along with ShutterFest are two of the most talked about products in professional photography.

What they've done is brilliant and a complete reversal from the way magazines are going in this industry. While the rest of the world started out in print in then chased readership in cyber space, Sal, Taylor and the team built it online first, hitting close to 90,000 subscribers. Then, last month they rolled out with the first issue in hard copy and at the show they delivered the February issue. They're two for two now with stunning images, great content and a magazine unlike anything else in the industry. By the end of the show, all of the thousands of magazines they brought were gone!

Throughout the three days there was always something going on in the booth. They set up a small presentation area and had several of their regular contributors to the magazine doing mini-sessions. I was flattered and delighted to be included, doing a program of "Five Tips to Create a Better Website".

If you haven't seen Shutter Magazine yet, what are you waiting for? Here's the link to check out one of the most exciting publications in professional photography today. Each issue is loaded with great content and information to help you become a better photographer and business owner.

A few more highlights...Starting with Profoto

Profoto was definitely the talk of the show when it came to lighting. I had a chance to talk with Dave Gallagher, President of Capture Integration. Their booth was packed with photographers and a ton of Profoto gear. He told me they went through all of their B1 literature they brought before the end of the second day of the show.

Profoto will have a huge presence at WPPI next month, so put them on your list and make sure you stop by their booth. The B1 has been referred to as the "game changer," but there's nothing less than the best with everything Profoto makes. 

However, I've got to be honest...for me the biggest smile came from the creative use of a Profoto reflector! Nothing beats decent candy at a trade show! LOL

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I didn't get much of a chance to really catch up to him, but that's always been the story with Scott Kelby at any convention. However, he always draws a crowd. He's definitely somebody who needs to be on your radar.

Other highlights, which is one of the primary reasons to be at any convention is building your network with new people and resource.  Plus, you get to catch up to old friends, the newest in technology and recharge your battery.

The 2015 convention and trade show season is only half over. That means you've still got time to get to some great conventions. The other day I wrote a post about being in the parade versus the sidelines and watching it go by. Here's your chance to be right in the heart of it! 

See you in Las Vegas or St. Louis!