The Professional Creative

The Analog Renaissance, Episode 2: The Trade Show Gamble

February 16, 2026·11 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

When Bonnie Christine gathered her team together in April 2025, she asked a question that would change everything: What if the biggest innovation isn't digital at all? The data was undeniable. Vinyl sales hitting 18 consecutive years of growth. Barnes & Noble opening 60 new stores. Eleven million Americans are raising backyard chickens. 80% of Americans now garden, a 5-year high. Etsy's reporting a 40% surge in analog-themed shops. This wasn't nostalgia; it was a coping mechanism. A collective reaching for things we can touch in a world that feels increasingly untouchable. Welcome to The Analog Renaissance, Episode #2.  In this episode, Bonnie tells the story of attending the world's largest licensing expo in Las Vegas for the first time, arriving with only six appointments on the calendar and a minivan packed with fresh flowers, fabric swatches, and real garden beds. While nearby booths shimmered with LED lights and polished displays, her team built something tactile — something you could smell, touch, and feel. A space rooted in texture, scent, and real-world beauty. She walks through the decision to invest massively in face-to-face connections when everyone else was optimizing digital strategy. But more than that, she reveals the unexpected ripple effect, including a potential partnership with a company that works with talent like Ellen DeGeneres and Martha Stewart, all because they noticed the birds and flowers. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/analog2 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ LEARN MORE ABOUT SURFACE DESIGN IMMERSION | https://www.bonniechristine.com/immersion ▸ FREE GUIDE - TURN YOUR CREATIVITY INTO DOLLARS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/dollars

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