​ARE YOU READY FOR 2020?

By Moe Lastfogel
Director of Sales and Marketing for The Retail Observer

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Moe Lastfogel

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.

Happy Holidays,
Moe Lastfogel
​[email protected]

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