David Korse, CEO, and Lew Shomer, Chairman, the experts behind Abilities Expo, almost never stop smiling—even when nearly 200 nervous vendors, many they have never met, gather in one place for an Expo. The shows help thousands of people with disabilities and their families to see the future of mobility, home care, sports, and travel products. You can feel the positive energy in the air. What makes Abilities Expo feel so magical? Like many things in life, when intentions are all good, so is the vibe.
From the wheelchair repair booth to the ginormous climbing wall and the camo-colored outdoor wheelchair with Zamboni-meets ATV capabilities—it’s a lot to take in in one day. Also note: If you are not on wheels, you are in the minority, and you will feel that way, which is a good thing. Here, the founders take our questions:
Q: How did you get involved with the Abilities Expo?
A: We didn’t start the events. The first one was launched at the L.A. Convention Center in 1979 by its founder, a wheelchair user that had a vision for a disability event. This was before there was an internet and he wanted a selection of new products on display so he could go shopping. His vision turned out to be a viable business which he and his family ran for the next decade or so. After they retired, the shows went through three different acquisitions. When we first heard about them in 2008, they weren’t doing well and were up for sale. We saw them, loved them, saw the potential and in that summer, acquired the two existing/sustainable events in LA and near NYC (NJ). Now we have eight Expos in the U.S. and Canada combined.
Q: What did you do before taking over the business?
A: We are both tradeshow veterans with more than 35 years each in the tradeshow and conference industry. Lew founded Shomex Productions in 1984. It was the nation’s largest producer of Diversity Career fairs, producing more than 1,000 fairs throughout the U.S. in 2008, the company ceased doing fairs and became the administrative management organization for The Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO).
Q: What aspects of the disability community does AE focus on?
A: We focus predominantly on mobility, but we also address the physical and behavioral aspects of disability.
Q: Where was the first event and how has it grown since 1979?
A: We don’t have records going back to 1979 but I’d guess 50 or so exhibitors. Our largest single event was in Los Angeles early in 2019 with 30% greater attendance. We’ve added a show this year in Dallas and our visitor numbers are growing quickly.
Q: The marketing materials have an incredibly positive and inspirational vibe, how did that come about?
A: Lew and Kevaleen, our marketing “hero” are really good at what they do. And I hope visitors discover for themselves that the marketing vibe is not manufactured—it mirrors the in-person vibe at the shows. We love what we are doing. When someone with limited mobility attends one of the shows and finds a product or service that makes their lives easier, it is literally a life-changing moment each time we see it.
Q: How has the event changed (evolved) over the years?
A: As we have grown the event has included more technology—we have a dedicated assistive technology section. On-site activities include everything an adaptive climbing wall (with a veteran, competitive athlete and double amputee), dance performances, adaptive hockey, and a wheelchair repair booth. As more assistive technology has come to market, we have created a dedicated assistive technology section at each show. One thing that is a constant is people creating a product they need for themselves—chairs, swim fins, educational and self-care product, you name it— and bringing them to the Expo to sell to the public. Necessity is the mother of invention.
Q: What have been your biggest challenges?
A: Making it easy and accessible for people with disabilities to get to the shows. Between accessible transportation, parking in close proximity to our halls, inexpensive parking, enough accessible taxis, and rideshares, we do a lot of work behind the scenes to make sure each location is the best for our audience.
Q: What do you feel are the most suitable products exhibiting this year that ease travel?
A: Sometimes we don’t know which new products will be at the show until we are actually there! There is often a combination of new entrepreneurial companies and familiar faces. It’s not unusual for first-time visitors to come as ‘observers’ and return as vendors the following year. On the floor in the most recent show there were a lot of products that make adventure travel and uneven terrain easier for wheelchair users, including portable mats that can be used on sand, wheelchairs that make the beach accessible and wheelchairs that can make it through mud and water if you’re interested in fishing and hiking. Hotels and individuals may be interested in products such as My Shower Buddy, lightweight chairs that work exceptionally well in an accessible shower. Cruise lines and accessible destinations—such as Quebec and Dutchess County, New York, are also growing in popularity.
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