As is tradition, the Kabo and Styl trade fair took place at the Brno Exhibition Centre. From August 27th to 29th, visitors could explore stalls featuring footwear, handbags, and clothing, as well as one special stall that belonged to us. After two successful years presenting the European brands Travelite and Titan, we decided this time to introduce visitors to a range from across the Atlantic, specifically the brands Totto and Heys. Why did we decide to showcase products from these two companies? We wanted to show two design-interesting brands that catch the eye at first glance, making them a perfect fit for a trade fair focused on fashion and style.
Totto and Heys – brands with potential
Let's introduce Totto in more detail. It is the Colombian leader on the South American continent, with warehouses for the European market located in Spain. It specializes primarily in backpacks, bags, travel luggage, and accessories for the youth, specifically for middle school students and casual high school or university students.
We had samples of all product lines from our range ready for visitors. There was significant interest in the backpacks, which are characterized by a truly interesting and unique design on the Czech market, as well as high-quality craftsmanship. Perhaps the greatest success was seen by the Acuareles and Renglones lines, the latter being specific for being a backpack with wheels, allowing students to either carry it on their backs or take a break and roll it when appropriate. As the classic saying goes: "It pays off!"
Thumbs up for Heys suitcases
Now let's move on to Heys – a Canadian brand from Toronto that is slowly but surely becoming one of the dominant brands on the global market, and we have the right and honor to be its official distributor for the Czech and Slovak markets. Heys specializes in high-quality hardshell suitcases, whose huge advantage is their truly luxurious design, which even world-renowned artists contribute to. These suitcases catch the eye of every traveler at first glance, and this was confirmed at the end of August at the Brno Exhibition Centre.
Visitors were most interested in the Blue Agate, Zeus, and the special Vantage Smart Luggage lines. Vantage Smart Luggage features a patented opening method that, unlike most luggage, splits the suitcase into two halves, allowing you to access each side separately. The biggest hit, however, was the children's suitcase and backpack set, and the line named after the world-renowned Brazilian artist Romero Britto. We have the suitcase with a design he created himself in two variants, under the names Butterfly and New Day. You can also find the aforementioned children's suitcase and backpack set in our offer in the variant created by Britto.
How did the whole long weekend at the exhibition center go?
Although it might seem so, it was not just a weekend job. The entire trade fair was preceded by a lot of preparation, but it was nothing that would surprise us or cause us any stress. On the contrary, we handled everything with a smile and on Friday we were ready to transport all the prepared suitcases, backpacks, and accessories to our stall in Pavilion F. After four hours, our stall was ready, so I and Marian could be ready from Saturday morning for all the curious questions we received in abundance over those three days.
People visited our stall in large numbers, we closed several new wholesale partnerships, and so the three days flew by. We also enjoyed the Saturday evening at a large outdoor reception for all exhibitors, where we treated ourselves to quality drinks and food and made several other contacts that will surely be useful for our further development.
There was also a pleasant distraction
Kabo and Styl are not just stalls with displayed goods; they are also fashion shows, which take place several times throughout the day. However, lingerie was on the program only once a day, which we both accepted with slight sadness. However, if one wants to know what is currently IN in the world of fashion, it is good to attend such a show. Moreover, the sight of models pleases many a male and female eye.
The Monday exhibition day was usually slightly weaker in previous years, but this time it was different. There were many people who stopped by our stall, so we often didn't know where to turn first, but we always managed everything and provided everyone with all the information they were interested in. As soon as 6:00 PM struck, the exhibition center closed to the public, and all that awaited us was cleaning up and transporting all the goods back to the warehouse.
It was demanding, but the vision of a promised cold beer drove us forward, and so after 9:00 PM we could sit down, toast to a successful trade fair, and evaluate it. We didn't overdo it with the beer, though; after all, Tuesday was a normal working day again and we had to be ready in full force.
How would we evaluate the trade fair?
During our previous two participations at Kabo and Styl, we presented different brands, so this time we went a bit into the unknown, but we must honestly admit that the choice of Totto and Heys brands was correct. Unique motifs and interesting shapes were a draw for passersby, which was one of the main purposes – to attract people, show them that a suitcase doesn't always have to be black or gray and that there is no reason to be afraid of being COOL and IN. All the new business partnerships we have established are already starting up nicely, and for us, it means more work, but above all, more chances to grow and be better.
In short, spending the end of August at the Brno Exhibition Centre was an excellent idea that has borne, is bearing, and will bear only the sweetest fruit, and you will certainly see us at the next editions of the Kabo and Styl trade fair again. With which brands? Let that be a surprise, but you certainly won't be bored at our stall.
