Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JULY 2022 64 I t's been a while since we've gotten together at conventions and training sessions. PSA will hold our (mostly) annual convention this September at the Rosen Plaza in Orlando, and we invite you all to attend and enjoy the best appliance and electronics service training ever. We recommend these guidelines for getting the most from the event. Attending a conference is a big investment. Come in with the right tools and you'll pick up new skills, learn about new trends in your field and make valuable contacts. Approach it wrong, and it could end up being a boring waste of your money and time. Here are some tips: 1. Read the agenda before the conference and figure out which sessions will best match your needs. You probably won't be able to attend all the sessions, so prioritize the ones that will help you the most. If you're attending with a co-worker, consider splitting some of the sessions between you so you'll both end up getting the best coverage and benefits. 2. Read the presenters list and do some research on the speakers for the sessions you're attending. It's always better to know a presenter's creds, as it will give you better insights about the subject and to formulate questions. If the presenter's information isn't available, reach out to them before the conference. 3. Read the exhibitors list ahead of time and make a personal list of the people and companies you want to speak with. Otherwise, you may get overwhelmed in the large convention hall and miss meeting the people you wanted to talk to. 4. Ask questions in the sessions. Don't be shy about questioning the presenters about points you'd like them to clarify. You're actually doing the presenter a favor, as most of them dread having disengaged audiences. 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 the conference sessions using your phone or reading. Be open and engaged and you'll be more likely to meet like-minded people. Most people at the conference will be looking for others to interact with, so don't be afraid to approach other attendees yourself. You don't need an excuse, you can simply walk up and introduce yourself and ask about them. You might ask if they've been to any good sessions. 6. Don't make non-work plans for the evenings. You may be tempted to catch up with your friend who lives in the host city, but lots of networking happens in the evenings, often spontaneously, and you'll want to be available for those last-minute dinners or to attend the hospitality room. 7. Stay away from alcohol. If you enjoy an alcoholic drink, at most have just 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 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 lots of walking from your room to the conference halls, meals and so forth. There's nothing more distracting than aching feet from uncomfortable shoes. 10. Bring business cards. Exchanging cards is a time-honored tradition at conferences. Be sure to make notes on the backs of the cards of people you want to follow up with, so you can remember who the person is once you're back at the office. 11. When you get back to your office, 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. (The notes on the backs of their cards will help.) 12. Conferences are more than just sessions, they're an assembly of like-minded folks with great intentions. 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 downtimes, 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 2022 PSA convention, we've strived to create an experience with great purpose and resources. By investing time in research before the conference and following the tips listed here, you're sure to come home with a trunk full of ideas that will help you succeed. We're currently accepting registrations for our 2022 convention, September 19-22 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando. 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 Certified Service Center www.certifiedservicecenter.org

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