Well, it’s a few days before I leave for the Associ- ated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) Conven- tion & Security Expo in Orlando, Florida, and
already, I can’t wait to get back home. Why?
There was a time when the ALOA convention was
one of the biggest anticipated trade events of the year. It
was one of the few conventions I actually looked for ward
to attending. Anyone who was anyone was there, and a
buzz was always in the air. So what’s changed? Am I just
getting old and cantankerous? Am I losing my zest for
life? Am I beginning to think, and talk about everything
in past tense?
Hardly!
Several things have changed over the years, and
ALOA is not the only one feeling the effects.
For me personally, I have been in this trade for over 25
years. Not as long as some, and yet, longer than others. I
have been to I believe about 20 or so ALOA conventions,
and I will concede that yes, a bit of “The Thrill is Gone,” as
B.B. King would say. But, it’s more than just that.
Back in the day, (Oh no… past tense… that shows
your age, doesn’t it?) the ALOA convention was “THE”
trade event to attend. It was the biggest, baddest, most
anticipated convention to attend. All the major, and many
of the minor manufacturers were there exhibiting their
latest and greatest Ronco invention of the year. And for
those manufacturers who weren’t there, they wanted to
be. There would be anywhere from 250 – 300 exhibitors,
the exhibit floor would be packed with bright eyed bushy
tailed locksmiths, wearing the latest fashions (a tee shirt,
blue jeans, steel toed shoes, a hat loaded with pins from
previous conventions, and at least one key chain with a
minimum of 25 keys on it, and a pager. Yes a pager, cell
phones, and the Internet were in its infancy).
Every exhibitor had bags of goodies to give out
which included a product catalog and some trinket, like
a ruler, pen, pencil, hat, tee shirt, hat pin, key chain,
coffee mug, etc. And if you were really lucky, you even
got a candy bar or some other sweet treat to boot. Who
could ask for more?
Many of the manufacturers would unveil their latest
product offerings at the ALOA convention with eager
anticipation. If you wanted to see the latest and great-
est, this was the place to be. The exhibit floor would
take two days to see everyone there and a wheel barrel
would be needed to carry all the product catalogs and
collected paraphernalia back to the hotel room. It was
Christmas in July for many.
When you were not on the exhibit floor, you would
attend one of the many class offerings ALOA would
present and usually not be able to do all you would have
liked due to time constraints. There was just more than
you could possible do in the three day event.
After the exhibit floor would close, everyone would
head to the local bar or restaurant to talk about the days
events, meet old friends and acquaintances, chew the fat,
exchange war stories, and do it all over again the next day.
For many, ALOA was more than just a trade show
& convention. Many would bring their wife, girlfriend,
sons, daughters, mother, father, brother, sister, and
even grandchildren. It was an annual pilgrimage and
vacation, as the convention location moved from state
to state each year, offering a change of scenery, culture,
cuisine, and entertainment.
Throughout the entire three day
convention the product exhibi
tors didn’t have time to sit down
because they were always busy
showing someone their product
offerings. The locksmith attendees
were in sensory and product over
load, and everyone was happy.
Ahh, those were the days.
Then, things began to
slowly change…
To be continued...
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Greg Mango
