Continuing in Jedi fashion this will be my 4th year in a row going to the IBS. The first two years I was super excited because I was new to the industry and would buy anything and everything that related to my profession. Tickets the first two years were 35.00 and the last two years they have gone up to 40.00 for 1 day. People from all over the world come here. I can honestly say this year I was a little disappointed. I've noticed over the last few years a lot of the big name suppliers haven't been showing up. The vendors that do show up are almost selling their products at the full retail.
For example....I was checking out a set of andis clippers that they were selling for 149 bucks. So wing told me to check the price on one of the two main websites I shop from and the were selling for a dollar cheaper. HUH.....wait....did I just confirm that I paid money to come here and find out I could get all these products cheaper. I went to a few more vendors and this was confirmed.
This year I didn't go to any classes. A previous reviewer was furious about the instructors and these classes. When I did go to the classes in previous years it was more to see if I could learn something from these people I always see in the magazines. They were truly talented in their own right but often at the end of the class they were often upselling the companies products. In the past I'd buy these products thinking they would make me like like Harry Potter and that powerful ass wand in part 8. Only to discover that I always had the talent of a wizard without any of these sensational products.
Yelp was there! Lol....3 of them trying to conjure up some business. I honestly wanted one of those yelp jackets they were sporting. I kept it moving though and decided it was not the right time to challenge them for their jackets. There are tons of people at the show. Be prepared to get bumped into on numerous occasions.
For the new person in the industry it's definitely worth a visit so you can see all the products for sale and meet some people that you may never see anywhere else. For the veterans it's not really necessary. Me and my better half decided we wouldn't be going next year and to take the year off. With that being said rest your weary eyes and may the force be with you.