EXPO: Last fall, MAGIC attracted a record-breaking 101,000 attendees, including more than 7,000 new buyers. What’s your strategy for attracting new buyers?
McConnell: Our singular goal is to get more buyers to the show and keep them coming back. MAGIC has an extensive retail relations team that has constant contact with buyers face-to-face, as well as on the phone. This year, they’ll make more than 6,000 in person visits and more than 70,000 phone calls on behalf of the show and our exhibitors. For key buyers, we offer the President’s Club. These buyers are provided with priority registration; assistance with hotel reservations; catered breakfasts, lunches and snacks; complimentary use of meeting rooms; and a private lounge. About 1,000 buyers take advantage of that program. At the show we also have The Buyers Suite, a 16,000-square-foot space dedicated to the buyers. It’s not only a place to relax, but also a place they can meet with our retail relations team for any assistance they might need.

EXPO: Also last fall, MAGIC announced the addition of Accessories at the Hilton; JCK at MAGIC, a partnership with the fine jewelry show; the ISAM swimwear pavilion in WWDMAGIC; and the expansion of Platform, the juried showcase for the premium contemporary market. What’s new for 2006?
McConnell: There are two major things going on I’m excited about — the changes to Streetwear at MAGIC and the launch of Swim at the Hilton in partnership with ISAM. The Streetwear category is important to our market. More than half of the U.S. population is under 40, and they control billions in purchasing power. We’ve merchandised the floor into three subcategories: progressive urban, street culture and music/subculture. The area will be set up so it’s easy to move from one section to another. The larger, more established exhibitors will be around the outside, while the newer designers will be in the center.

Together with ISAM, WWDMAGIC’s Swim at the Hilton will feature more than 300 swim resources in one place. This makes WWDMAGIC the only comprehensive show with dedicated resources for the swim market. That offers great synergies for retailers and exhibitors.

EXPO: All shows need to be fresh and interesting every year, but I’d imagine that for a show serving the fashion industry, that’s especially true. What are some things MAGIC does to keep the show fresh and fashionable?
McConnell: MAGIC stays fresh because we focus on customers. We listen — and not just anecdotally. We’re on the phone with thousands of retailers after the show and throughout the year. We conduct extensive surveys annually and regularly have communication with exhibitors — and we respond to all that feedback. If you look at our show floor, many areas are dramatically different from just a few years ago.