INSIDE DOUGLAS COLLEGE / APRIL 24, 1990 Seminar provides tips for trade show success be at a trade show is great for small businesses, but how do you show all your wares in one tiny booth? “It’s difficult,” says Alice Rich, owner and manager of Parmalee Publications. “You have to set up your whole business in a 10 foot by 10 foot booth for five days.” Rich will be conducting a one- day seminar called Trade Show: Ex- pose Yourself! at Douglas College on April 21 designed to assist craftspeople, artists, and small business people who want to set up effective exhibits at a major trade show. The seminar will include infor- mation on how to set up and dis- play products, how to get orders, how to find sales networks and suppliers, and how to meet sales people and the competition. There will also be discussion on the rules of the trade show game. “Tl explain the various levels of participation, the scope of trade show marketing, planning and working with staff at the show, and tips for success in general,” says Rich. Rich, who in the course of her business has set up exhibits at trade shows throughout Canada Manager, Health and Social Issues Programming for the Knowledge Network British Columbia’s educational television service, has a challenging opportunity for a Manager, Health and Social Issues Programming, from September 1, 1990 to August 31, 1991. As one of the Knowledge Network’s four program managers you will be responsible for the management, development, acquisition and delivery of three theme areas: health, hurnan and social issues and social sciences. You will work closely with Open Learning Agency staff, inde- pendent producers, adult educators and community organizations to achieve your goals. Success in this position requires a solid background in education and television, excellent project management skills, innovative problem solv- ing skills and a university degree in a discipline of directly related ex- perience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. If you are interested in this opportunity please send your resume, in confidence to: The Open Learning Agency Human Resources Department 7671 Alderbridge Way, Richmond, B.C. V6X 1Z9 Closing Date: May 1, 1990 and in New York City, Washington D.C., and New Orleans, says that preparation is important in maxi- mizing the impact of your exhibit. “You have to be prepared to repre- sent your company in the most ef- fective possible way.” Many people don’t realize what it takes to produce an effec- tive exhibit, notes Rich. “There are lots of people who have business opportunities to use trade shows, but it can be an in- timidating process when you haven't done it before. We walk them through the process so that they are not overwhelmed.” A trade show ‘survival kit’ is vital, says Rich, and should con- tain everything from business cards, note pads, calendars, to breath spray, aspirin, and extra shoes. “Trade shows are exhaust- ing. You're on your feet for eight hours a day in a strange hotel ina new city.” What many people do wrong at a trade show is sit at their booths with their head buried ina book, she says. “You won't get much out of it if you do that. You should stand up, smile a lot, and talk to people.” A further problem is that most people don’t pursue the contacts that they make, so they don’t in- crease their business much as a result of their efforts at the show. “Follow-up is extremely impor- tant. If you don’t follow up in the six weeks after the show, there’s no point in doing it, because your competitors will get the business,” says Rich. Trade Show: Expose Yourself! will be held on Saturday, April 21 at Douglas College. The fee is $55. For further information call 527- 5477. To register call 527-5472. @