By Nancy Tanker

Potential business partnerships and new friendships were key to participants at SPREE 2008. As the show concluded, exhibitors were excited about the future.

"This was a great opportunity to meet people," said Mele Sarmiento, vice president of business development for Chicago-based General Growth Properties, Inc. "We saw so many excellent products, very creative products and people we look forward to working with, and with whom we can develop long-term relationships."

With more than 212 shopping malls in the U.S., GGP is a major player in the industry, and specialty retail is a large part of its portfolio.

"It's very important, and we want offer our customers the very best," Sarmiento said.

Heidi L. Cardall, senior director of specialty retail for Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL & Associates Properties, Inc., said her company met with more than 100 different retailers at the show.

"We have a lot of saturation on the East Coast, so it was exciting and productive to meet people out here," Cardall said. "We were amazed at some of the great concepts we saw this week. This show is an excellent opportunity to network. Specialty retailing involves a different mindset, and we learned so much from the people we met."

Makers of inventive products were happy to introduce their wares to a new crowd. Shanghai-based My Design makes paintable shoes allowing children to create the design of choice on their footwear, making for colorful and creative fashion.

"It's fun to paint your boots," said company president Ron Schilo. "We offer everything for a kiosk to operate, including six basic colors, a DVD explaining the process and the boots."

My Design is already active in 17 countries, as well as inside FAO Schwarz and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Now the company seeks to become commonplace at shopping malls across the U.S.

"It's easy and creative," Schilo said. "It's a product that sells itself visually."

The visual angle is also important for Frubi Shades. The Tavernier, Fla. company makes soft protective eyewear for children.

"The most valuable aspect of the show for us was making contacts," said company owner Gary Hall. "This is our third year in business, and we've had great reaction from people in gift shops and elsewhere, and now we are looking to expand. The leasing agents we spoke to at SPREE were excited about what we have, and a few of the vendors were very interested."

Frubi Shades next seeks to broaden its line to tween and adult products, and other products for all ages, including sunscreen and swimwear.