“Best Ever!”

A steady flow of people and high energy contribute to the success of this year’s ECNY Supplier Showcase.

As your author took in the sights, sounds and smells (including great Italian food and pastries) of the Villa Barone Manor during her first visit to the Elevator Conference of New York (ECNY) Supplier Showcase in April, a common refrain was heard throughout the day and said between a variety of different people: “Best ever!” 

As the event is in its 22nd year, your author wondered if maybe this was an exaggeration, but event organizer Bobby “Bobby Dee” DeFrancesco confirmed that he agreed with this assessment of the 2023 event due to the high energy that could be felt throughout the manor and among the participants. “There was just something about it, the energy. It was all pumped up,” he said, adding that after being shut down during the pandemic, and last year’s event being slightly stifled due to pandemic remnants, this year felt “really wide open.” This year’s event was more like years’ past — and then some. 

This six-hour trade show experience ran from noon to 6 p.m. at Villa Barone Manor in Bronx, NY, on April 26, and, as usual, was free for ECNY members to attend with an unlimited open buffet, free valet parking and cash bar. Attendees seemed to take advantage of all three. 

DeFrancesco said this year’s event welcomed 149 exhibitors and approximately 780 attendees throughout the day. There is a multi-year waitlist to be an exhibitor, but he said that they were able to welcome three new exhibitors this year, as three others couldn’t make it. At this point, there’s no room to add more at the Villa Barone, as the exhibitor space in the manor is currently packed out with the current exhibitor list. Exhibitors are mostly from the NYC area, as well as North America. 

ELEVATOR WORLD was proud to be on this list of exhibitors for another year and was represented by your author and Editor and Publisher Ricia Sturgeon-Hendrick. She was greeted by many friends who were so pleased to see her attending the event again this year. We took turns manning the booth next to the registration table and across from the Elevator Learning Center (ELC), Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation and NAESA International. 

Those who attended in years prior may have noticed that the EW booth was on the other side of the lobby from its normal spot. We were still by the entrance and happy to hand out the latest issue of EW to those entering and leaving the event. We were able to speak with many industry representatives, who were also able to grab an EW tape measure. The large windows in the lobby allowed for a full view of all the comings and goings during the day along with cloudy skies in the afternoon that did little to dampen the continuous flow of people entering the event. 

Alissa Saez, ELC education administrator, who sat opposite your author most of the day in a key location to greet everyone who entered, said: 

“Bobby Dee and his team do not disappoint in delivering a well-planned and attended industry event. The show had a great buzz this year! ECNY provided a wonderful opportunity for us to have a presence, meet people from all facets of the industry and promote the ELC’s programs and services. We made new connections and are working with a few companies that will enroll their teams in upcoming CET™ [National Association of Elevator Contractors Certified Elevator Technician certification education program] education and continuing education classes.” 

Jonathan Taub, president of FIELDBOSS, said his company has attended the event for approximately eight years and that it is the industry gathering he looks forward to the most. He added: 

“The main reason is that it is a lot more social than any of the other shows, which is probably due to the venue and the great food they make available all day. I wish they had it twice per year because it’s also a great reason to stay in NYC for a few extra days. I am already looking forward to next year.”

Not only do you get to see the owners and executives of these companies, but you get to see the managers, superintendents, office staff, mechanics and helpers from these companies, as well. This opens up communication with everyone in the industry.

— Doug Gilman, president of Elite Elevator Cab

Doug Gilman, president of Elite Elevator Cab in Garden Park City, NY, was a part of the group that got the event started and said his company has attended the event every year. He agreed that this year’s show had a steady flow and a large number of attendees. In reflecting on the event, he said: 

“While serving on the ECNY Board of Directors along with Bobby Dee and the other ECNY board members, the Supplier Showcase was created to give an opportunity for our supplier members to share their products, knowledge and vision with our contractor and consultant members … all for a very reasonable cost. 

“And what a great opportunity it turned out to be! By exhibiting, you get the opportunity, in one afternoon, to see most of the companies in the NY area. The beauty of the Supplier Showcase is that it is open to all levels of people working in the elevator industry. Not only do you get to see the owners and executives of these companies, but you get to see the managers, superintendents, office staff, mechanics and helpers from these companies, as well. This opens up communication with everyone in the industry. Add to that the open buffet and relaxed environment provided by the venue, where people can share a few moments to chat on a personal level with the people they do business with throughout the year.” 

There was just something about it, the energy. It was all pumped up.

— Event organizer Bobby “Bobby Dee” DeFrancesco

With the demand for exhibitor space and the waitlist, the event organizers could use more space, but Gilman said, “because the venue is so good, we do not want to even consider moving it to another location.”

DeFrancesco agrees. ECNY hosts other events at the Villa Barone throughout the year, as well, including educational programs, a Christmas party and dinner dances. For him, there’s nowhere else to do the show. His daughter got married there, and he referred to the people who run things there as “family” more than once.

When your author asked what else he wanted to add about the event, DeFrancesco concluded: “Thank you to the Villa Barone!”