If you think all industry trade shows are the same exhausting marathon of collecting pamphlets and sore feet, it’s time you experienced the ANME Founders Show. Nestled in sunny Burbank, California, this isn’t your typical sprawling convention. It’s a curated, intimate, and powerfully effective gathering designed for one thing: to help retail buyers and distributors forge the connections that actually grow their bottom line. As the industry gears up for its annual summer pilgrimage, we’re diving into why the upcoming show is the one event you can’t afford to miss.
The “Founders” Philosophy: It’s All About Connection
The secret sauce is right there in the name: Founders Show. Unlike massive expos where you might get lost in the crowd, ANME prioritizes direct access to the visionaries behind the brands. This is where you shake hands with the inventors, designers, and founders who live and breathe their products. The result? Deeper insights, stronger partnerships, and deals built on mutual understanding, not just a sales sheet.
The show’s organizers, Jeff and Caryn Rosen, have meticulously crafted an environment that feels more like a business-focused family reunion than a sterile trade event. Their goal was to cut through the noise and create a space for meaningful interaction.
“We designed ANME to be an efficient, comfortable, and productive experience,” the Rosens have often stated, a sentiment echoed by countless attendees. “It’s about quality over quantity. We want every buyer to leave with new products they’re excited about and relationships they can count on.”
Not Just Business, It’s an Experience
ANME has become legendary for its hospitality. Forget overpriced convention hot dogs. Here, buyers are treated to complimentary hosted lunches and evening cocktail parties. These aren’t just perks; they’re strategic opportunities. Some of the most valuable conversations happen over a drink or a meal, away from the formal setting of a booth. It’s this relaxed, collegial atmosphere that sets ANME apart and fosters a genuine sense of community.
One longtime retail buyer, quoted in a recap by XBIZ, put it perfectly:
“At ANME, you’re not just a number. The pace is manageable, you have real time to talk to vendors, and the social events mean you actually get to know people. I do more real business here in two days than I do in a week anywhere else.”
Why This Model is Winning in Today’s Industry
The ANME approach perfectly aligns with the modern retail landscape. In an era dominated by e-commerce and endless choice, consumers crave unique, high-quality products with a real story behind them. To deliver that, retailers need to discover brands beyond the usual big names and build solid, reliable supply chains. ANME is the ultimate discovery engine.
The show is also a hub for innovation, particularly highlighted by the “O” Awards, which celebrate excellence and creativity in packaging and design. For a buyer, it’s a one-stop-shop to see what’s new, what’s hot, and what’s going to pop on their shelves—or website—in the coming season.
Looking Ahead to Summer 2025
As the industry looks toward the Summer 2025 show, the excitement is already building. Held at the Burbank Marriott Convention Center, the event promises another focused showcase of the best brands in the business. It’s an opportunity to get ahead of the curve for the crucial holiday season and beyond.
The formula remains a winning one: two productive show days, an easy-to-navigate floor plan, and an unmatched focus on relationship-building. It’s an investment of time that pays dividends long after attendees have flown home.
“Come to do business, stay for the community,” one exhibitor advised in a Storerotica feature. “You’ll leave not just with orders, but with partners.”
* Photo from storerotica.com
