The Connections Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, Fla., May 14-17, put its best foot forward and shrugged off any concerns of pullback, contraction or dilution.

Top-tier speakers and an exhibit hall filled with the industry’s best welcomed attendees on the first full day of the show.

There was quite a lineup of speakers on tap, starting with no less than Howard Partridge and “14 Proven Strategies to Getting Your Employees to Do What You Want When You Want It!” something that, let’s face it, every employer has an interest in.

Rick Gelinas played host for “EncapFest” and its look at the commercial carpet maintenance segment, while Sherman Guffy and Steve Walsh presented “New Trends in Chemistry and Attracting Profitable Customers” to an attentive audience.

The exhibit hall threw open its doors and saw a larger-than-expected throng ebb and flow onto the show floor, quelling any trepidation that may have remained as the event kicked off.

Check back tomorrow for more updates from the show.