This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
FBC


UPFRONT» Your Career


12 Trade Show Musts


Have a clear multi-purpose strategy for each conference and trade show you attend


BY PAULA COMFORT BY PAULA COMFORT


Your company has invested in you by sending you to a conference and trade show. Upon your return, provide a detailed summary of the highlights to your senior leadership team. Include the research and recommendations you have compiled from your experience.


1


Prior to attending the event, under- stand your current corporate objec-


tives. Some purchasing decisions re- quire extensive time commitments, big investments and several face-to-face meetings.


you would like to meet with at the trade show.


2 3


face meetings go a long way to further- ing business and relationships.


4 5


Do your research in advance. Go online to review videos and under-


stand your competitors. 14 Fitness Business Canada March/April 2016


Pick a specific time and day to meet with them.


Create relationships and make these new connections. Face-to-


Create a list of vendors whose ses- sions you want to attend and who


bers for their input so you can have the most informative meeting possible.


derstand the quality of a product or service than firsthand experience.


trade show can be a huge educational opportunity.


6 7 8 9


At the trade show, get referenc- es and recommendations from


other successful industry leaders on products and services you are investigating.


10


Go to the trade show more than just once. It is usually


Take advantage of the experts who are there to teach you. A


Participate in product demonstra- tions. There is no better way to un-


Create a list of questions to ask at the meetings. Ask your team mem-


impossible to cover an entire trade show thoroughly during just one visit.


11


Get all the information at the trade show you need to com-


plete a full summary for your team. Brochures, technical details, cost and timing are all key elements to research.


12


Make it a company policy to always get three quotes from


three different providers.


Paula Comfort has 20+ years of experience in the fitness in- dustry. Most recently she was managing director of Fitness for Spa Chakra Inc., a luxury spa and health club company where she started the division. Previous roles include area


vice-president of The Sports Clubs of Canada/ Bally Total Fitness. She is currently a partner in her own consulting company, 360 Impact Group. Contact her at paula@360impactgroup. com or 416-565-6025.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40