The Origins of thinkvirtual.

After launching thinkbaby and thinksport in 2006, think operations found itself participating regularly in trade shows and events across the United States. As the company expanded its footprint and product offerings, the real costs of trade show attendance were rapidly becoming apparent. Not only were the shows expensive to attend, but attendance was falling off across almost all industries, calling the investment into question without providing a reasonable alternative.

Brodwick and his partners at thinkbaby and thinksport noticed that they weren’t alone. As attendance fell, exhibitors and attendees were becoming less enthusiastic about the expense versus the benefit derived from these shows.

So think operations began to examine the benefits and functions of the industry and consumer trade show with a simple question: “Is there a better way?” They were seeking a means for vendors, retailers, and consumers to come together to explore new product information and engage with each other. Partnering with a team of University of Texas MBA students, think operations founded thinkvirtual, and set out to solve for this problem.

The solution they developed was a virtual trade show where all of the activities vendors, retailers, and consumers typically engage in can occur within a digital environment.

To take it one step further, thinkvirtual committed to producing a virtual expo with a true zero carbon footprint. The company is not only not creating any printed collateral, but is also planning to offset the global computer energy used during the event.

With thinkvirtual, there is no exhausting travel. No complicated scheduling. No expense in creating collateral that may or may not get reviewed. No need to fly staff around the world to participate in a potentially exhausting event, pulling them away from work and family. For retailers from small boutiques to large chains, there is no time lost in travel or attendance, and no costly store closures as a barrier to participation. For large corporations forever looking to reduce bottom line expenses, a virtual show allows a company to bring their entire team at an extremely reasonable cost.

Typically, most trade shows are set up for either business-to-business or business-to-consumer interaction. The thinkvirtual expo will be open to both, over a two-day period. We will be directly inviting over 3,000 vendors, over 5,000 retailers, and over one million consumers to the event, where they will not only get an opportunity to engage each other, but also interact with a number of featured industry leaders.

About the Team

Kevin Brodwick - Founder
For over 15 years assisting companies from product development to sales, Kevin Brodwick created thinksport and thinkbaby to address the growing concern and need for safer products. After working with a laboratory funded by the National Institute of Health (specifically focused on testing products for estrogenic activity - largest type of endocrine disruptor), Mr. Brodwick became aware of extent to which harmful chemicals were present in everyday products. After unsuccessfully convincing several large companies to alter formulation, Mr. Brodwick took it upon himself to create an alternative line of consumer products. Prior to working in the science community, Mr. Brodwick spent 15 years working in the technology sector from Trilogy, Troux Technologies, Dell Computers, Acuity and FIG. Mr. Brodwick brings his extensive knowledge of retail and technology together to address the issues facing traditional roads to commerce.

Trey Vilcoq - General Manager
Trey is involved in all aspects of thinksport’s business including the development of new products, execution of the sales and marketing strategy, and management of key accounts. He brings over fifteen years of sales, business development, and product management experience to thinksport. Throughout his career, Trey has played a vital role in the success of several high-growth companies including Dell Computer, pcOrder (a pioneer in e-commerce software acquired by Trilogy), and CipherTrust (a leader in messaging security acquired by Secure Computing). Trey’s passion for a healthy, active lifestyle and enthusiasm for activities such as surfing, yoga, and triathlon are reflected in thinksport’s mission to provide “safer products for healthier athletes”.

Rebecca Noble- Director of Operations
Rebecca joined thinkbaby™ shortly after its inception. It was an obvious move with her background and personal interests. Over the past decade, Rebecca has assisted in clinical research and community outreach projects related to environmental exposures. While working at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Department of Preventive Medicine, Division of Environmental Toxicology, she worked on several studies including some with the late Dr. Marvin Legator, a leader in the field of environmental toxicology. One study showed children taking methylphenidate (the generic name for a class of drugs to treat ADHD) had an increase in chromosomal abnormalities. Another study showed the baby teeth of children with autism had higher levels of mercury versus controls. In the private sector, she prepared reports on an extensive number of environmental issues, including the effects of exposure to endocrine disruptors. Throughout, Rebecca has been dedicated to helping others have access to information on health and environmental issues, especially how to make safer choices for oneself, family, and the environment. She is excited to play an important role with thinkbaby™ to offer safe alternatives that are free of toxic chemicals

Maria Whelan - Business Development - Bio coming soon!

Lisa Marie Ptacek - Business Development - Bio coming soon!

Ethel York - Business Development - Bio coming soon!