RETAILOBSERVER.COM DECEMBER 2019
6
Moe Lastfogel
moe@retailobserver.com
Moe's Musings Views
Happy Holidays,
I
'd like to start by saying Happy Holidays to you all. Next month is the start of
many things to be excited about — a new year, new sales opportunities and
clients, and many trade shows. January is packed with CES, Design
Construction Week, World Market, and TISE, to name a few events.
A few years ago, I received an email form the NKBA presenting ways to make
the most out of attending KBIS. In my opinion, the tips they shared are great
advice for every show you attend next year. Here is a summary of those
suggestions:
• Make a plan. Whether it's your first year at the show or you're into double-
digits, goal setting can help you plan your time on and off the trade show
floor. Align with your 2020 business objectives to determine which seminars
and courses to attend, and which booths to visit. It's impossible to do it all.
• Arrive early. Maximize the trip by building in time for professional development
during your time there. Many of the shows are offering excellent courses to
help you gain knowledge and grow your business.
• Come ready to network. Networking is a huge part of the experience; prepare
to make the most of it. Research businesses in other parts of the country that
are complementary to yours, whether it's a potential partner, vendor, or client.
The shows offer many opportunities for networking. Take advantage. The
research you do upfront will help you make the most of your meetings,
accelerate your relationships and make the connections more effective.
I've already started planning for January—have you? If not, you can start by
visiting the various show websites to download full event schedules and show
maps. This looks to be a great year for our industry.
On a side note, we will be celebrating our 30th year as The Retail Observer
and our 50th since the inception of the first stage of our magazine as The
Northern California Retailer. We are very proud of this accomplishment and I'd
like to thank our team for reaching this milestone.
ARE YOU
READY FOR 2020?
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and information greatly contribute to the
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