Shark Tank Stars Will Headline NAMA OneShow Session On April 13

CHICAGO -- The National Automatic Merchandising Association has announced that ABC-TV Shark Tank costars Lori Greiner and Robert Herjavec will headline the general session at the OneShow convention and exposition. The general session is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13.

Plans call for the Shark Tank hosts to oversee a novel "Swim with the Sharks" competition in which teams of hopeful innovators will pitch their industry-related ideas to the "sharks" for the opportunity to win a $10,000 prize pool. Greiner and Herjavec then will moderate a panel discussion, similar to the format featured on the award-winning TV show, hosted by NAMA president and chief executive Carla Balakgie.

"This is the most innovative general session we've had at OneShow," Balakgie said.

Greiner is celebrated as one of the most prolific inventors of retail products and her 90% success rate with new items launched. Herjavec has won renown for his entrepreneurial accomplishments in building and selling several information technology companies to industry-leading enterprises, including AT&T. His company, Herjavec Group, is a global leader in information security.

The 2016 OneShow will be held from April 13 through 15 at Chicago's McCormick Place; an early-bird workshop is slated for April 12.