While Friday was certainly busy and well-attended, Saturday was thriving with visitors and most booths were packed for at least some of the day. In speaking with exhibitors, INSIGHT learned that most – if not all – exhibitors had a cracker of a Saturday, often being run off their feet? a nice probl to have!
The free Spotlight Sessions had excellent attendance, many with standing room only, and the Masterclass sessions were also well attended. Magicians, balloon men, jugglers, Dixieland jazz bands and cheerleaders roamed about the exhibition entertaining the young and young-at-heart. And in the the of Independents Day, a diner was set up offering American favourites such as hotdogs and cheeseburgers, and free popcorn was on offer.
“The idea of Independents Day came about quite by accident when we noticed that the middle day of ODMA2015 was the 4th of July,” said Finola Carey, ODMA CEO, told INSIGHT. “It got us thinking that 317 million Americans can’t be wrong to celebrate independence that day so the idea was then planted for ODMA2015.”
At 4pm, a speed dating session ran. The rapid discussion between participants was not about hobbies or walks along the beach, rather discussion centred on succession and exit plans. Kathy Allen of Dewings managed the sessions and provided guidance as to the important questions to ask.
Day two of OMDA 2015 – Independents Day – proved to be a success and a great platform from which to launch into the festivities of the gala dinner on Saturday night.
