Shanu Singh Guliani

Do You Find Value in Taking Staff to a Trade Show?

Every year that I’m at JCK my close friends bring at least two or three different staff members to the show. Be prepared because I’m curious to know your thoughts on two parts of this:

First and foremost I think it’s an awesome idea to take staff members to the show. They can attend classes that aren’t always available, they get a chance to mingle with others in the industry, can see what’s new in and in-style, and I think they’d come back even more enthusiastic about the trade their in. What better things to share with customer’s than their own experiences at trade shows and talking with manufactures.

My questions:

1. Do you think taking staff to a trade show really inspires them? Is that an owners/buyers job and not one of full and part time staff?
2. How do you decide which staff members to take the first time? Do you throw a contest?
3. After the first contest do you rotate your staff or always take the winners of the contest?
4. How many days do you think are appropriate? Obviously hard work deserves at least a day or so to play and see Vegas.
5. Do you take your staff to sit with you when picking out merchandise?
6. What in your mind is proper when it comes to their pay while away on this business trip? Their normal wage? Per diem for food or reimburse their receipts? Hotel included? Flight included?

If you’ve taken staff members before—why did you chose too? If not, why not? Do they really come back inspired? Is it worth it to take staff members?

Posted by Shanu Singh Guliani on July 14, 2009 | Comments (1)