Baby, it's all about you: Expo returns to Schaumburg Convention Center
Americans will spend $35 billion on baby products this year, and on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11, parents will get a preview of the latest products and services.
The It's a Baby & Family Expo Chicago, formerly the American Baby Faire, will be held at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, presented by the Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association.
The two-day event will introduce new and expectant parents and young families to the newest products, the latest in child care, parenting information and services, children's activities, plus provide shopping and special show discounts.
"With the abundance of juvenile product choices and options available in stores and online; coupled with today's stressed economic conditions, It's a Baby I Family Expo was designed for the entire family to be a one-stop educational experience," said Aija Erglis, the show's founder.
Highlights include:
• Information stations: The Safety Center offers consumers vital and relevant seminars on issues affecting parents. Alison Rhodes, a national child safety expert and TV personality, will discuss innovative ideas that are designed to make Mom's life easier and her children's lives safer, including the best ways to travel with a baby. She will also answer questions. The Safety Center will have giveaways and drawings for prizes.
• Exhibits: Select manufacturers, product, service and retail companies nationwide will showcase their product lines, trends and innovations, and consumers can interact one-on-one with them. New products representing the latest advances in safety, efficiency and fun will be showcased, including the Chicco KeyFit 30 infant car seat, which takes human error out of the installation.
• Family activities: Crawling babies will race hourly for the title of Chicago's Fastest Crawlers. Up to 500 babies will race for gift cards; prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place winners. Also, cowboy and cowgirl toddlers can mosey on down to the Chicco Rodeo to race toy horses.
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association is a national trade organization representing 95 percent of the prenatal to preschool industry of more than 250 companies in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News">It's a Baby & Family Expo Chicago, Oct. 10-11 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg.</p> <p class="News"><b>Hours:</b> 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.</p> <p class="News"><b>Admission:</b> $8 adults & children 13-up; grandparents & children under 12 free. $3 discount coupons available at buybuyBABY stores.</p> <p class="News"><b>More information:</b> <a href="http://itsababyexpo.com" target="new">itsababyexpo.com</a>.</p>