3 minute read
From the President
BE PREPARED TO EVOLVE
KnowledgeFest Dallas will be held during a different time of the year in 2021, but it’ll provide the same great experience as always.
People frequently ask us, “What are the main benefits for attendees, and what’s the value to their businesses?” They’re often uncertain about whether or not to attend KnowledgeFest.
We’ll often ask them, “What’s the most important factor determining whether or not you’ll go?” Many say it’s more than the cost of the event weighing on their minds.
The majority tell us that in-store obligations, such as making the numbers and not losing business, are determining factors. And with an event in the middle of the holiday shopping season, we can certainly understand the trepidation.
When determining whether or not to attend KnowledgeFest, take the time to prioritize longterm success over short-term profitability.
If you haven’t made up your mind, here are some factors to consider:
Show and Tell: There’s a lot to see and hear on the exhibit floor. The best suppliers in our industry bring their A-Game to KnowledgeFest. They exhibit hoping to make a positive impact on your business, as well as their own.
Networking: No more phone calls, texts or Facebook. Your next conversation will be face-to-face with both old friends and new.
Learning the Products: Dallas KnowledgeFest will deliver over 50 hours of high-quality education directly from your favorite suppliers. You’ll be able to learn about every piece of technology our industry has to offer.
Education Workshops: Gain valuable insight for your business, which is a must to survive and thrive. KnowledgeFest delivers the education you’ll need in an ever-changing industry.
While we’ve assembled top vendors and instructors who will provide you with an opportunity to excel, the one component that will guarantee you get the most from KnowledgeFest is you.
If you come to Dallas planning to hang out with friends, take in a few free vendor dinners, or sleep late and attend only the popular fabrication or OEM integration classes, the show may not provide you with everything you deserve.
But if you want to maximize your ROI by heading home with knowledge that will impact your sales and service, here are the steps to follow:
1. Have a plan. Make reservations for each class you want to attend so you can print out an itinerary. Don’t pick classes just because everybody else is doing it. Think about the knowledge you need for your own business and select the courses that fill those needs. 2. Plan your exhibit floor time in sections over three days. Look at the show floor and plan to cover it in segments with one section per day. Then, spend real time with the vendors to understand their product lines. Each of them has spent good money to provide you with information, so take advantage of it. But after you’ve completed the section, remember to take a mental break, too. 3. See your vendors, then see more vendors. On the show floor, keep an open mind and visit all of the vendors. You never know what product you’ll need down the line, even if you don’t need it right now. The same goes for vendor trainings: Visit your vendors, then pick three or four trainings on new companies. 4. Don’t skip on networking time. The event kicks off Friday afternoon with a Beer and Business exhibit floor event. This marks the start of meetings and casual get-togethers, which are great opportunities to talk to like-minded professionals who may have answers to problems you’re experiencing. Or your experience might help them through a complicated situation. Plus, it’s nice to develop contacts you can call throughout the year to get and give advice.
KnowledgeFest is an absolute must for any industry professional. If I were still working in retail, I would mark this event series on my calendar. The knowledge and opportunity gathered in one place is too great to miss. This year, come to Dallas with a mission. You’ll leave with hope, purpose and opportunity to grow above and beyond your expectations.
