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Ex-con man adds spice to ISPA's upcoming Expo

By David Perry, Executive editor -- Furniture Today, February 29, 2004

If you are serious about the bedding business, you need to be in Indianapolis later this month for the International Sleep Products Assn.'s Expo 2004.

This every-other-year exposition is the world's largest trade show exclusively for the mattress industry. It attracts bedding suppliers and bedding producers from around the world.

Attending these expos is always a highlight of my work. It's sort of like Christmas: The show aisles are stocked with treats. There are always more interesting companies and stories than I can get around to. But it's fun to see how much ground I can cover.

In addition to the exhibits, the expos always offer educational programs that can help you improve your business. You know the old saw about "one good idea can pay for the cost of the show." That axiom remains true today. And there's no reason you should let your competitor get all the good ideas.

The keynote address this year is being given by a movie star. OK, Frank Abagnale isn't a Hollywood star, but his intriguing story was the basis of the hit Steven Spielberg movie, "Catch Me If You Can," starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank.

Frank used to be a bad man. He was a con man extraordinaire, cashing $2.5 million in fraudulent checks. He posed as an airline pilot, attorney (why would anyone want to do that?), a college professor and a pediatrician. Finally, the long arm of the law (Tom Hanks as an FBI agent in the movie) caught up with him. After spending time in jail, he agreed to work with the good guys. Now he's a consultant to the FBI.

When I first heard that Abagnale was slated as a speaker, I wondered why we would want to hear from a famous con man. Then it hit me: A former con man is the perfect role model for bedding executives. Hey, just kidding.

Seriously, Abagnale has a compelling story. "Catch Me If You Can" was a surprisingly good movie. I'm looking forward to hearing Abagnale's speech. He will address the Industry Business Breakfast on Friday, March 26.

Other Expo speakers include Michael Colopy, who will tackle the important question, "What is China's Agenda?" And James Glassman will tell us about "What's Ahead for the Economy, Technology and the Stock Market."

The Expo will kick off on Tuesday, March 23 with tours of Sleep Products Inc., a New Albany, Ind., bedding producer, and Top 100 store Kittle's Furniture in Castleton, Ind. Sign up now for those tours, which are limited to non-U.S. bedding producers.

For more information on Expo 2004, see ISPA's Web site at www.sleepproducts.org.

I'll see you in Indianapolis. And remember, I was just kidding about that con man joke.

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