This was originally written by Tink Boord-Dill and has been edited by myself and others “over the years”
We all understand that it tends to tromp on the toes of those who may have an exeragated opinion about the importance of Pattern Authors to the Yarn Business.
Wheat always suggests the first thing you have to do as “advance mental prep” is knock that chip off your shoulder about how “mistreated and misunderstood” the Crochet Pattern Authoring community is. It really is not so. On the other hand the “attitude” of far to many who think they are Professionals is often a deal killer. Those who publish need no prima donas
Tink or Wheat usually make this post just before a major wholesale to the trade show and other times as needed. It is posted in groups like: DesignerBiz and TNNA-Designers
The information is aimed at those folks who may be attending as designers or observers, rather than as purchasing retail members, but it does have some useful info for everybody. 😉
As always, these are our own views…we all need to make the decisions that are best for our own businesses… 😉
and then accept the consequences good or bad as part of the learning experience.
ATTENDING A TRADE SHOW AS AN OBSERVER/NON BUYER
Let me start by saying that Trade Show Etiquette can become a heated topic. 😉 These comments are based on my experiences and observations, and I will admit to being a bit hard nosed on the subject…I don’t mean to offend anyone…many of these comments are based on the fact that I, myself, did not understand a lot of the subtleties
when I first started exhibiting. My goal here is to minimize the chances of a newbie committing a faux pas.
Exhibitors have looong memories regarding inappropriate Trade Show behavior (probably not fair, but a reality smile). You don’t want to be remembered for sticking your foot in it, you want to be remembered for your professionalism…
ALWAYS REMEMBER – The Exhibitor is here to SELL not BUY –
Also, a brief reminder, if you have attended a Trade Show in the past as a buyer…the circumstances for Observing and/or Exhibiting are radically different, so tailor your behavior accordingly.
First off : Please remember that ATTENDING a Trade Show is NOT a substitute for EXHIBITING…if you want to gain customers, then put up your $$ and EXHIBIT!
Now that we have that out of the way…VBG
Do take your business cards and hand them out in appropriate situations
Have your business cards ready, but wait for a signal from the other person that they are interested in getting one…
Don’t take your product(s) and expect to distribute them/hand them out… if you talk to a distributor/shop owner/whatever, get their business card and send your materials AFTER the Trade Show with a follow-up letter
Be aware that exhibitors are at trade shows for several important reasons 1)to gain industry credibility 2) to network 3) to make sales/develop a shop list…they are investing many $$$ and MUCH time which may not/probably will not be recouped by show sales and they have a limited time to accomplish the above listed goals.
If you see an exhibitor talking with someone else, don’t interrupt them…you don’t know whether this is someone on that exhibitor”s Gotta Talk To list…
If you are talking with an exhibitor and a shop owner comes up, break off the conversation immediately and remove yourself (no apology is needed)…sales are important… EVEN if there are other Sales people in the booth – it may well be that the Buyer who just walked in is of special significance to the person you are speaking with. So Walk Away graciously.
If you are talking with an exhibitor and someone else comes up (not a shop owner), take your cue from the exhibitor…don’t automatically assume that you are invited to join in the conversation…
Be aware that single booths are VERY small, don’t block others from entering, and try not to block the sightlines from the aisle.
Some exhibitors feel strongly against giving out sales materials to people other than potential customers…be aware of this and tread carefully…
Generally, Cameras and photographing are not allowed at the shows. This includes camera phones!
TNNA is quite protetive of its members so be aware that this type of discourtesy can cost you a great deal. Exhibitors talk among themselves.
HOW TO DRESS –
Wear comfortable shoes… nice looking shoes if you can manage it, if not, go comfortable, folks will understand..Wear good presentable clothes…think of this as a 3- 4 day long job interview…there are no Fashion Police but you are trying to sell yourself as a professional… Artistic is OK, especially if you are a designer…there are many ways
to do this, even on a limited budget. BTW, Casual Friday is TOO casual if you are selling yourself as a Designer. 😉
WEAR SOMETHING YOU DESIGNED AND MADE at your top layer
Wear layers…the Convention Halls are very big and it can be difficult to adjust the temperature…
Remove the unoriginal layers as needed and replace with your original.
Hint: If you use an ID holder that hangs from your neck (rather than pins on) you can stash business cards in it.
Keep a pen and paper handy, you’ll want to take notes…and I can tell you without fear of being wrong, you’ll never remember everything you see/observe!
You will be walking miles and miles so try to find a way to carry your stuff as comfortably as possible…sometimes wheeled carts are allowed, and in other venues they are not. ;-(
OUTSIDE OF THE CONVENTION HALL
As much networking goes on outside of the Convention Hall as inside, so be aware of this when traveling on elevators, on shuttles, and in lobbies.
Many times, you may be with folks who are making dinner plans…don’t expect to be invited, and don’t be offended if you aren’t…lots of times, these plans are made months in advance and the purpose may be to have a confidential discussion… these shows are often the ONLY time we get to meet face to face with others in the industry and the
discussion time is important. I have various business cohorts, but we are not joined at the hip during market…1) we have separate businesses and strategies 2) by splitting up for the networking, we can optimize the opportunities available within the limited time constraints…
SOME FINAL THOUGHTS
Approaching companies about their Designer Programs
Remember – they are there to make sales…don’t expect them to drop everything and talk with you about their DP…the reality is, they are doing us a favor by offering product deals…no single designer is going to have an appreciable impact on their product sales….
IN CLOSING
Again, a reminder that these are my opinions/thoughts/observations… no disrespect is meant and I hope that I haven’t offended anyone. These are issues that can be volatile, but which also need to be considered…. and, as always, we all need to make the decisions which are best for ourselves and our businesses…
If I’ve missed something, I hope someone will step in and say so.
Looking forward to hearing your questions, comments, opposing opinions?
Wheat
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If you feel this article will help someone else, please feel free to provide this link:
https://wheatcarr.com/biz/mostly-tink-on-trade-show-etiquette.php
I have been doing that a lot of the last week of sleepless nights.
Frame the following within this past week of emotional devastation upon learning the grandchild of a wonderful lady I have known since I was about the same age as the grandson she lost last week in Newtown.
I came back to reading QA so I could escape this type of talk, founded in misinformation.
NO it does NOT Count that you “Mean Well”
NO it does not count there needs to be reform in how we handle mental health issue,
OR That So Many “Well Meaning” have failed to prevent our children from becoming irresponsible for their own actions so they think they can get away with this and be famous to boot.
So I decided to go read some QuiltArt to think about something positive and maybe get some creative outlet to begin to heal.
First thing I read
On 12/21/2012 11:15 AM, x-x-x wrote: please write to your elected officials demanding better gun control laws.
WONDERFUL Exactly what we need MORE LAWS that won’t be enforced,
But Everyone will feel so-o-o-o much better.
So she wanted a letter, here is mine.
How about,
Let’s not become political puppets contributing to someone’s agenda to whittle away at our ability to care for ourselves instead of actually doing something that will help.
There IS an Assault Weapons Ban in Connecticut.
It was not an assault weapon used – it was a weapon made available by an irresponsible adult. Something that might have been avoided had the FBI done its job of timely response to background checks CURRENTLY REQUIRED BY LAW (along with about 2,000 other incidents of the FBI not providing timely response and thus a sale that never should have happened)
We could start with EQUAL PROTECTION by enforcing laws that exist – not just about weapons and their use in a crime, but ALL those laws meant to protect our way of life and our constitutional right to PURSUE Life, Liberty & Happiness –
No guarantee, we still have to work for it.
Let’s do something about the feeding frenzy of the media sharks.
How about demanding that the media not be allowed to report – on pain of significant jail time, fines and loss of broadcast licenses – thus taking away the “15 minutes” of fame. And if they use the Internet to spread misinformation, treat it as libel and make they responsible that way.
How about holding GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS accountable to COMPLY and ENFORCE the laws that exist.
You know, instead of setting up sales of easily modified semi-auto weapons to Gangs & Drug Cartels resulting in reported 100’s of deaths in Mexico of men, women and children and now showing up in California and other border states.
How about demanding the press report when a trained individual STOPS the maniacs.
Long as I am suggesting some truth from the press, how about making them accountable for accuracy.
Would you want to be Ryan after pretty much a full day of every outlet reporting he was the shooter (bad enough it was his brother)
How about each and everyone of us STOP MAKING EXCUSES for those who do evil.
Everyone who supports allowing children to act without consequences, depriving them of the chance to develop a sense of accomplishment and responsibility by real achievement,
How about we stop making excuses for Terrorists foreign and domestic and take a close look at what is called “High Crimes and Misdemeanors” Because if those responsible for protecting us condone law breaking and YOU choose to ignore that because of some misguided sense of social justice –
Yes that means I return any money to the cashier – even just a dollar because as I once told my daughter, damned if I am going to hell for a quarter and neither should you.
And by the way, I include SWAT/Tactical attired thugs in jack boots waving batons outside a voting place to be domestic terrorists even if the person sitting in the office of Attorney General does not.
How about becoming better informed.
The STRICTEST gun laws exist in NYC & Chicago , and California.
Would you like to guess where the highest incidents of Gun Violence and particularly Murder exists.
Chicago tops the list, but what would you expect in city where its Mayor takes not steps to control the gangs beyond telling them to be more careful so children are not in the cross fire.
This is not NRA stats, this is FBI annual report of the what is sometimes called the 7 deadly sins.
Every responsible gun owner I know and as a result of my background I know quite a few, will tell you the problem is not a lack of laws, it is NOT ONLY a lack of enforcement – but the willingness to overlook these crimes because of some misguided guilt.
If an adult is willing to step up, be trained (as are all teachers in Israel because of their required Military Service) so the US can match the Israeli record instead of doing our best to be the world leader in death tolls in schools so that certain politicians can use these incidents to further their agenda instead of acting responsibly to “preserve and protect” the citizen of the United States.
So long as good people allow bad things to happen without consequences – and in my view that includes setting up shooting galleries by NOT taking EVERY REALISTIC step to protect our children then shame on you for falling into the trap of being so anxious to do something, that you will opt for the least effective means.
ENFORCEMENT of existing law will be more than welcomed by all responsible owners of firearms.
If you are foolish enough to think your local law enforcement will protect you, make a call and find out what their response times are. That is IF you can make the call AND THAT IS AFTER they figure out where you are – because most cell systems don’t have address/GPS look up.
I promise you NO ONE who has ever lost a friend or family member to violent crime
gives a damn about why their loved one is dead
only that they are dead well before their time.
finally, we all really wish you would stop making excuses –
Whether it is failure to study and flunking a test so the kid has to do summer school or commits a minor crime, don’t rescue them TEACH THEM TO BE RESPONSIBLE for their own actions. .
And Oh Yes, let’s stop creating safe zones where our children, our friends, and our neighbors are sitting ducks
Well, be assured you will reap what you sew and it is pretty obvious we are seeing that.
from storm victims (who actually might need those pillowcases, afghans, and quilts), to those grieving in the unrelenting public eye – one can only be truly terrified of what the third Sandy incident will bring us.
Let me trying another context, lest you think me completely ungrateful –
I treasure everything that BELONGED to my children, it reminds me of everything about their lives that should be celebrated and held close to my heart, shared with those who new them
Please do not confuse your need to “do something” as translating to providing permanent reminders of the death of a loved one.
The prayers of all as will those who have suffered thru the untimely death of a loved one are always welcomed – or mass cards or trees in Israel or donations to help the families cope with the financial aspects of their loss.
Still No Thank You, while I may appreciate the thought I want no permanent reminders of their death from anyone
There are things you can do, they just might not be comfortable or easy or convenient, but if makes you feel better to blindly write a letter demanding more laws without any idea of “what is on the books” but not enforced – instead of doing something real…
Well, be assured you will reap what you sew and it is pretty obvious we are seeing that.
from storm victims (who actually might need those pillowcases, afghans, and quilts), to those grieving in the unrelenting public eye – one can only be truly terrified of what the third Sandy incident will bring us.
I for one will not be unhappy to see the last of 2012 – so much sadness to be put behind us as we help each other to move forward with real positive actions.
Wishing you the best possible Christmas
May God Bless Us and Keep Us
in Health and Happiness in 2013
As a NYer, born and bred, with family hard hit in the several areas of NYC, it has been gut wrenching to sit here and know there was little or nothing I could do.
Stressing that all clean useful articles are acceptable I hope you will take a moment to read the announcement of KNITTING FEVER’s Operation Sandy Relief. In the past KFI has “matched” donations for disaster relief here and abroad with the donations made thru its shops. This time its a lot closer to home.
I hope those who can will make cash donations to the charity of your choice,
That you will check with your local places of worship to see if you can aid them
and finally, I hope you will consider contributing to the KFI hope of warming our fellow NYers –
afghans, hats, mittens, scarves, shawls – used but in good repair coats – sweaters – quilts, blankets ALL are needed
With the first named North Easter named Athena, headed their way they need every bit of warmth we can send.
Whether you offer prayers or cash donations, or the work of your hands, all will be much appreciated.
There is NEVER any excuse for creating a atmosphere of hate and intolerance and most assuredly not one that leads to violence.
Nor can we solve today’s problems by turning the other cheek.
It is no secret that I was raised “Terminally Catholic” – Roman and Orthodox with all the twists an turns an ethnically diverse city and neighborhood can provide.
Certainly the “dark” part of the Catholic history be denied, fortunately we were taught that the inquisition, the crusades and the treatment of the “natives” were more about the flaws of man, than the evil of any religion.
It was the LEARNING about not only the differences but also what we had in common that made a huge difference. Maybe I was just lucky, but I remember the Dominican Nuns who made subtle note of the traditions of every child in their classes – we learned about the cultural traditions of the Irish, Scots, Polish, Ukrainian, Italian, Hispanic (Cuban and Puerto Rican mostly) and of course especially about their unique celebrations of our common religion and yes our common neighborhood (we all walked to school and most lived close enough to walk home for lunch)
Our Neighbors included wonderful examples of their faiths including a Baptist Minister and his family on one side and an elder in his church and his wife who taught me to Crochet at the age of five. Mrs E also will forever be remembered as the Cookie Lady by all who grew up in that neighborhood, largely Roman Catholic but with a diversity in ethnicity, blended into good neighbors.
Looking back, it is obvious the willingness to allow other to hold opposing views comes from the grounding in tolerance provided by my parents and my teachers, and more than a little by the diversity of my “block”.
No question we were also taught that others were misguided in their beliefs, we were never taught to think of them as evil or that those who did not agree should be subjected to torture or worse.
Nor, should we be tolerant of any entity which preaches hatred and murder.
We must take and all appropriate action to protect our citizens at home and abroad. There is no excuse not to do so.
Still, Arizona is right – teaching Comparative Religion could well be a first step to restablishing real tolerance – The United States of America is a nation that was made strong by taking our differences and blending them into a whole while respecting the rights of others to have some different beliefs.
We need to find a way back to creating commonality respectful of ethinicity, but at the same time sharing a “new” culture and language if we seek that
