New Exhibitors Preview
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New Exhibitors Preview The nes to Watch By Garrett Lai Gathering at The Travel Goods Show is like the first day of the school year. You’re back among familiar friends, after a summer away. Everyone has new stories to tell, new items to show off. But there are also interesting newcomers to the schoolyard. Their personalities, and what they bring to the playground, can inject new life and bring new changes. The Show’s first-time exhibitors are the industry’s new faces. And they’re definitely bringing some energy to NOLA, with fresh takes on travel gear and, in some instances, newly invented product categories to help people as they venture forth, on travel days and every day. These are the brands that will inspire change, infusing the industry with ideas and energy that could influence future direction for us all. Note: This story was written from materials submitted by the companies themselves, in response to an email that went out to all new exhibitors asking for info. There are over 60 new exhibitors at this year’s Show. Be sure to visit all of them. AeroPress (Booth P13) most popular thread on CoffeeGeek. DSK Brands (Booth 847) Fresh-brewed Coffee. Wherever, com, the world’s largest coffee website, Bringing Eco-friendly, Recyclable Whenever. with more than 97,000 members and Luggage to the World Among coffee die-hards, AeroPress 10,000+ forum pages. The AeroPress inventor Alan Adler is a celebrated hero. world championships is an event And if you’ve ever been left disappoint- that’s followed enthusiastically online, ed after prowling an unfamiliar city in with hundreds of web pages devoted search of good coffee, he should be your to individual secrets and brewing hero too. methods. Last year 68 AeroPress The original AeroPress, which Adler aficionados battled to become national invented in 2005, is extraordinarily champions, and the right to compete popular with coffee aficionados. A at the 12th world championships in forum subject devoted to it is the single London. AeroPress coffee is quicker and Fresh-brewed coffee, smoother than pour-over, cleaner and to go! The ultra- less bitter than French press, without the portable AeroPress Go bottom-of-the-cup mud. It’s eminently lets you travel as your more portable than other methods, own barista, and brew letting you brew up java anywhere you up incredible java can boil water, with typical extraction anywhere boiled taking place in about a minute. water is available. GQ calls it “the travel- ON SHOW: The new AeroPress Go is a friendly coffee maker riff on the original AeroPress, optimized of our dreams,” for travel with all parts nesting to fit and Wired labeled inside its own 5.3” x 3.9” travel mug. it “our new favorite Its rapid, total immersion brewing European design influence, modern styling travel coffee process provides a clean extraction and its exclusive, 100% recyclable TPO maker.” for amazingly delicious, rich, smooth hardshell sets Eminent’s TPO Series apart coffee. Brewing up American-style from the crowd with forward-looking coffee, espresso, even cold brew takes materials in a contemporary silhouette. only about a minute, and without the bitterness and acidity of other methods. Eminent originates in Taiwan, where It combines the simplicity of French it was founded as Wanguo Suitcase press brewing with the clean, grit-free Co., Ltd., in 1979. In the 40 years coffee typical of paper filter methods, since, the company has grown from a and is practically self-cleaning. small manufacturer into a global pow- MSRP: $36.99 Continued on next page Travel Goods SHOWCASE Spring 2020 25 Continued from previous page don’t even need to set the bag down to convert between messenger bag and erhouse, well known in Europe, Asia switch modes, making the transition as backpack carrying modes. and Oceania, declaring itself the world’s smooth as it hangs from one shoulder. The flagship Meridian V2.0 in veg- largest manufacturer, designer and Bagpacks are available in a variety etable tanned leather, with all metal retailer of “first-class luggage.” It’s rep- of sizes, in nylon and leather, with hardware, includes a TSA-friendly lap- resented in the U.S. by DSK Brands. some incorporating TSA-friendly laptop top compartment and retails at $275 At The Travel Goods Show Eminent pockets for the jet set. MSRP. will introduce TPO, thermoplastic olefin, to the luggage market. Touted ON SHOW: Hillside’s patented for being eco-friendly, recyclable, UV Bagpacks present a low-profile resistant, lightweight and durable, silhouette appropriate for urban carry, Icon Luxury Group (Booth 633) TPO’s qualities are ideally suited for making them extremely handy for Launching a New Level of Luxury hardshell luggage and are an Eminent crowded public transit, and quickly Luggage exclusive in this application. Icon Luxury Group’s portfolio of high- end brands is mind-blowing in its depth ON SHOW: Eminent’s TPO Series and scope, with more than 50 house- luggage is the first use of eco-friendly, hold names, from Armani to Zegna. It’s recyclable thermoplastic olefin (TPO) in a luxury purveyor of dress shirts, active hardshell luggage. The 100% recyclable wear and luggage, with a retail network material is UV resistant and durable, stretching across the U.S., Europe and New Exhibitors Preview resulting in a sturdy, lightweight Asia. Icon is a distributor and manu- suitcase that’s feature laden and eco- facturer, but also specializes in luxury friendly. The 26” x 18” x 10” version closeouts, with exclusive arrangements comes with a $149.99 MSRP. with some of the world’s biggest luxury brands. Hillside Industries (Booth 138) The Next Generation of Personal Portability When it comes to business casual, you’re usually faced with two choices for schlepping stuff between work and home: backpack or messenger bag. Hillside Industries introduces a clev- er solution that doesn’t force you to choose, with its Bagpack that transi- tions, in seconds, between over-the- shoulder carry and backpack mode. The patented design uses clever strap routing that lets it be slung horizontally by a single strap, or vertically from a pair of shoulder straps. It’s a beautiful Slither into style with this python case concept, transitioning between carry from Rebecca Minkoff’s Pippa Collection. modes in seconds without the need to The hardside features eye-catching fiddle with buckles and zippers. You graphics and an ABS + polycarbonate film hardshell, with interior organizer pockets and a recessed, locking trolley handle with top and side handles. Available in black, red or taupe (shown). MSRP: $325 (20”), $375 (24”), $450 (28”) The company’s newly minted luggage division launched last fall with a num- ber of brands, but it’s no newbie, being helmed by personalities bringing more Why not have both? Hillside Industries solves the age-old dilemma of having to choose than 25 years of experience in luggage between a messenger bag or backpack with its patented Bagpacks, shoulder-slung design and sales. Its three core luggage carry-alls. At the top of the heap is the Meridian V2.0 Leather Backpack, in vegetable names include Rebecca Minkoff (MSRP tanned leather with 2-inch seatbelt webbing, metal hardware and TSA-friendly laptop $400-$600), Aquascutum (MSRP $600- compartment. Continued on page 28 26 Spring 2020 Travel Goods SHOWCASE Continued from page 26 ON SHOW: The Punch 3-Piece Luggage compartments that obviate the need $800) and Roberto Cavalli (MSRP $825- Set with USB port features polycar- for add-on packing cubes. It’s a smartly $1,050). bonate/ABS construction in a shock- designed concept, and even includes a absorbent design with built-in lock, coil removable, pocketed panel intended for ON SHOW: Luxury rollers from zippers and retractable push-button toiletries and laundry that can be easily Roberto Cavalli, with recessed trolley handles. Available as a set of 20” carry- hung up in a bathroom or closet. handle, 100% polycarbonate shells and on, 24” and 28” 4-wheel rollers. The 20” 2” of expansion room. Plus a plethora of carry-on includes a USB pass-through, ON SHOW: The My Cruiser - EZ Pack additional styles and brands. permitting access to an internal power luggage system, ABS hardside rolling bank (not included). MSRP: $199.99 cases with built-in organization com- partments, including dedicated space for four or more pairs of shoes (depend- Mirage Luggage (Booth 339) ing on suitcase size), plus a remov- Passion, Innovation and Drive – My Cruiser - EZ Pack (Booth P16) able hanging panel with toiletries and Since 2018 Taking Luggage Organization laundry pockets that can be suspended Family-owned, family-run Mirage Beyond the Cube in a closet or bathroom. In 22”, 24” Luggage might be a relative newcomer, and 28” sizes, or a 3-piece set, all with having been established in 2018, but TSA-accepted combo locks. MSRP: it’s not slow out of the gate. By its own $109 (22”), $119 (24”), $139 (28”), $289 account, the company produces more (3-piece set) New Exhibitors Preview than 1.5 million products per year, with distribution to more than six coun- tries. It’s an impressive accomplish- ment, especially since it’s an entirely paq bags (Booth P10) self-financed operation. It Began with a Buckle… “We’re a family business built on The idea for paq bags came in 2011, family principles,” declares Avi Jajati, when architecture student Matthew sales director for luggage and accesso- Jensen invented a snap-together, rotat- ries. The family’s strong background in ing buckle that enabled a new bag the fashion and garment sectors allows design with more comfort and function- it to stay ahead of emerging trends, pro- ality.