2005 AWMA REAL DEAL EXPO Opens at Las Vegas Hilton Delegates from across the nation gathered Wednesday evening, February 23, for the opening reception of the 2005 AWMA REAL DEAL EXPO in the Las Vegas, NV Hilton. As the convention opened, it was clear it would be one of the most successful ever, with preregistration increased by 30 percent over last year’s EXPO. "This gives all of our attendees, distributors and manufacturers alike, a chance to network and to talk with each other, and to learn from each other," said AWMA Chairman Steve Shing, GSC Enterprises, Inc., Sulphur Springs, TX., during the reception. "Certainly, manufacturers and distributors have a chance to do business, and that’s a very important part of this convention. But just as important is the opportunity for distributors to talk with each other, to discuss business issues, to exchange notes about what works and what doesn’t." "As distributors," Shing added, "we all experience similar challenges. The relationship building opportunities, the team building opportunities, and the networking – those are the real values of the EXPO." Eric Atkinson, of Atkinson Candy Co. and Judson Atkinson, Lufkin, TX, said he was looking forward to EXPO. "We get a lot out of this show," he said. "We do a terrific amount of business here in two days. There is a lot of value in the wholesale trade as customers, and a lot of candy guys seem to forget that. If they are not here, they are missing the boat." For more information on attending the 2007 AWMA REAL DEAL EXPO, contact customer service at either 800-564-4220 or 703-449-6418 or awmaregistration@jspargo.com