Dallas-based distributor Bob Lilly Promotions hosted its first Brand Camp customer show today at Gilley’s Dallas. The DFW version of the Houston-based world-class entertainment venue was the perfect backdrop for the four-hour show that featured 32 supplier exhibitors and attracted an estimated 125 buyers from across the region.

“We’ve done end user shows in the past, but it’s been a couple of years,” says Bob Lilly, Jr., CEO of the company. “We knew we wanted to come back and do something with a splash, so I called Forrest Fairley [who recently retired from distributor Safeguard] who had done hundreds of these to brainstorm with me and we settled on the theme of Brand Camp. This is our first inaugural event, so we’re super excited with the turnout.”

Melinda Gleghorn, MAS, regional sales manager – corporate markets for exhibitor Victorinox/Swiss Army, was impressed by the quality of the show attendees. “People are coming in with specific projects in mind and specific needs for the holidays, which is different from some shows. People really seem prepared to do some buying.”

Chad Rizzo, territory sales manager for exhibitor Showdown Displays, says, “This show is great; customers are super engaged and asking a lot of good questions.”

In addition to the exhibits, attendees were treated to lunch followed by a brief education session on the power of promotional products and how to use them to maximize advertising and marketing.