Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JUNE 2021 64 I t's been a while since we've been able to get together at conventions and training sessions as we've done in the past. PSA is holding our (mostly) annual convention this November at the Westgate Resort in Las Vegas, and we invite all members of our industry to attend and take part in the best appliance and electronics service training available. There are lots of folks out there who may not have attended an event like this. This short tutorial will help you make the most of your time at our convention. Taking days away from your office to attend a conference is expensive. If you're going to spend money and sacrifice a valuable chunk of time that could be spent making money, then the conference better be worth your while! The usefulness of a work-related conference is determined by how you approach it. Take the right approach and you can pick up new skills, learn about trends in your field and make valuable contacts. Approach it wrong and it can end up being long, boring and useless. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your conference. 1. Read the agenda before going to the conference, and figure out which sessions will best fit your needs. You probably won't be able to attend all of the sessions, so prioritize the ones you most want or need to attend. If you're attending with a co-worker, consider splitting up some of the sessions so that between the two of you, you can cover more sessions. 2. Read the presenters list and do some research on the presenters for the sessions you're attending. It's always better to know the credentials of the presenter, as it will give you deeper insight into the material and help you formulate questions. If the presenter's information isn't available, reach out to them ahead of the conference. 3. Read the exhibitors list ahead of time and make a list of the people and companies you want to speak with. Otherwise, in a large exhibition hall, you may get overwhelmed and miss getting to the people you wanted to talk to. 4. Ask questions in the sessions you attend. Don't be shy about questioning the presenters on the points you'd like clarified. You're actually doing the presenters a favor by asking questions, as most presenters dread having a disengaged audience. The more interaction in the session the more you and everyone will learn, including the presenter. So ask away! 5. Be approachable. Don't spend all your time outside of conference sessions using your phone or immersed in reading material. Be open and engaged and you'll be more likely to meet likeminded people. Most people attending a conference are looking for others to interact with, so don't be afraid to approach people yourself. You don't even need an excuse; you can simply walk up and introduce yourself and ask about the other person. You can also ask whether they've been to any good sessions. 6. Don't make non-work plans for the evenings. You might be tempted to catch up with your friend who lives in the host city, but lots of networking will happen in the evening, often spontaneously. You'll want to be available for the last-minute dinner or to attend the hospitality room. 7. Stay away from alcohol. If you enjoy an alcoholic drink, at most have only one or two. If you find yourself hanging out at the bar or in the hospitality room, ask for a seltzer or soft drink. 8. Bring snacks. Conferences often offer only unhealthy, overpriced convenience foods. Find a local market and buy some healthy snacks to keep on hand in case you miss lunch or get hungry during the day. 9. Wear comfortable shoes. You're going to do a lot of standing around talking to people, and you might even end up standing in some sessions. You'll also be doing a lot of walking to get from your room to the conference halls, meals and so forth. There's nothing as distracting as when your feet hurt from uncomfortable shoes. 10. Bring business cards. The exchange of business cards is a time- honored tradition at conferences. When exchanging cards be sure to make notes on the back of the cards of people you want to follow up with so you remember who each person is once you're back in the office. 11. When you get back to your office after the conference, take some time to follow up with the people you met. Email them to let them know you enjoyed meeting them, and perhaps reference something you talked about. (Those notes on the back of their cards will be helpful.) 12. Conferences are more than just sessions; they are an assembly of like-minded folks with great intention. How often do you get uninterrupted time to discuss matters of interest with industry peers from around the country? Many great experiences happen during the downtime, so don't leave these experiences to chance. Reach out to your contacts beforehand and set up an early breakfast or lunch. In developing our 2021 convention, PSA has sought to create an experience to serve you with great intentions and resources. If you put some time into research prior to the conference and follow the tips listed here, you'll most certainly come home with a trunk full of ideas and knowledge that will help you succeed. We are currently accepting registrations for our 2021 convention, November 8-11 at the Westgate Resort in Las Vegas. Please check psaworld.org for additional information and registration details. 12 TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF A CONFERENCE S E R V I C E D E P A R T M E N T RO Ralph Wolff, Industry Relations, PSA

• Cover