Exhibitors at ACM

The exhibit hall at ACM is incredibly small in comparison to CLA or other library conferences.  It is 3 rows of vendors along with 2 rows of table top vendors.  One thing that is quite nice is that it is only 1 day and the breakfast and lunch are served in the same hall.  We were able to talk to every vendor there.  Most of the vendors were exhibit design firms, and architects.  Below are a few of the exhibitors:

Imagination Playground: I know Angelica has been asking for this for years now but it does seem to be a hit with everyone we have spoken to.  Vito from Kohl's Children's Museum loves the set for outdoor exhibit use, it was at the Arizona Science Center, someone told me they switched out an exhibit and kids came up asking where it was the next day...

So I visited the booth and it seems like Imagination Playground heard Angelica's voice from Rancho because they have launched a line of mid size and small Imaginiation Playground sets.  The 3 mid size sets can serve as many children as 3 full size sets.  The mid size can be sold in sets of 90 pieces or the full 3 which is 270 blocks.  There are bins (they are adding wheels to the bins this year, and the bins are approx. 3ft. x 4ft. and 3.5 ft. tall.  They can also be stacked on each other.  Not much footprint for something that we can pull out for any outdoor event, any SRP Performer no show/cancellation or something to simply fill the space ont he second floor.  We can also take them to outreach events.

They also created a small blocks set which is perfect for DC or PS storytime, PJ or Family storytime.  I am impressed with the durability.  You can sand them down with regular sandpaper when a stain won't come out and you can scotch guard them for weather resistance.  I have prices, footprint, and measurements from the vendor.

 Medium Size case (above)                                                                        Small size case (below)

This bee exhibit was interesting to see what museums are renting out.  The Imaginarium Secret of Bees exhibit is available for rent or rent to own:

Mini Exhibit -
Rental - $1,000 for 3 months + shipping
               $1,500 for 6 months + shipping
Purchase - $4,000 + shipping
rental may apply toward purchase price

Mid Sized Exhibit -
Rental - $4,000 for 3 months + shipping
           $6,000 for 6 months + shipping
Purchase - $15,000 + shipping
rental may apply toward purchase price

Full Sized Exhibit -    
Rental - $7,000 for 3 months + shipping
         $11,000 for 6 months + shipping
Purchase - $32,000 + shipping
rental may apply toward purchase price

It reminds me of a fragmented PAL with puppets, a wooden honeycomb and a bee suit.  The exhibit looks fun and takes into account how bees actually transport pollen (with little pockets of course).

You have probably seen these whimsical musical instruments at a park before.  They sound amazing and are created by a musician.  We saw some smaller versions of this at the Phoenix Children's Museum attached to a propane tank.

We have loads of brochures for everyone to look at when we get back.