Atlanta

Welcome to the Big One. Welcome to Atlanta.

At first glance, traffic is pretty good-—not jammed, but good. According to several vendors, the “majors” (ie, the national accounts) are coming in next week in lieu of their usual pre-show visits, working around long Fourth of July vacations. Helps explain why it’s easier to snag an elevator in Building Two.

I expect to see the pattern from NSS and Dallas repeat here, with traffic sharply dropping around mid-afternoon on Sunday. Buyers haven’t forgone the big shows; they’re just squeezing them into two or three days instead of the familiar five or six.

Note to vendors: Embrace these die hard, come-hell-or-high-water retailers. They’re making it work, even if it means some sacrifice along the way.

Note to road reps: If you don’t take advantage of this, you’re nuts. There’s never been a time getting out there, in person, has been more important or more welcome.