CBA unveiled a new look for next year's international convention in Denver, Colo., that it hopes will help reverse the declining attendance figures of recent years and focus more on helping retailers do a better job.

While the total number of exhibit floor hours will remain about the same, at 36½, 16 of them will run without competing events such as workshops that have previously lured people away from the booths.

In addition, there will be four appointment-only hours and a "soft close" that will allow exhibitors and retailers to stay on the floor after the official close each day to conclude business.

The result of two years' study by the industry-wide Convention Reinvention Committee, the new program also will feature a hub/centerpiece on the show floor, and "solution centers" offering hands-on retailer training.

"When you throw a party for 11,000 people, it's not only difficult but impossible to meet everyone's total expectations," said CBA President Bill Anderson.

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