Question about vape expos and events

[Ktribb]

I am a manager at a shop that recently opened up, and I'm having issues convincing the owners to go to any events or anything, even just as spectators, they're saying they don't want to go or send anybody to them until a second store is opened, but I think that is a pretty big mistake. The best way to make contacts in the community, make friends, find what new products are going to be hot, is honestly to show up at events. How do ya'll feel about these events, and is there anything else I could bring to their attention that would be a plus side to atleast SOMEONE going? Wasn't sure what section this should go in, so I put it here lol

 

[Celtic Fog]

There is nothing wrong with scheduling yourself a day off and attending for your own benefit. Its important to build a recognition base in our careers. Thats how you move up ladders and find wonderful opportunities.

 

[Zamazam]

Sounds to like the owners are watching their pennies at the expense of a future dollar. Marketing contacts and building a user/customer base is what they need to do at this point. If the owners are just in it for the money, and money only, then I'd take time off and start making contacts yourself. The owners need to get behind the positive promotion of vaping, just not selling gear and juice.

 

[UncleRJ]

IMHO, events like this (especially if it is local or near local) are importing on several levels.

Getting the business out there and showing that you are active in the vaping community is most important.

See what is hot and what is not is beyond necessary.

And if manufactures are there to represent their products and technology, that is the perfect time to build relationships with them.

 

[BoomStick]

If your long term goal is to continue to work for someone else, don't worry about it. If you would like to eventually work for yourself maybe it would be better to go on your own time. Start building your own relationships. In my opinion, retail is a career where the ultimate goal should be business ownership. Especially for a person capable of managing a retail business.

 

[Ktribb]

I actually left my family business for this shop, manager/mixologist, they have my line. They are business savvy however the owners wife is the GM of the store and she agrees with me on this subject, store is owned and operated by veterans, owners are two brothers, they are Marines, the GM is Navy, I'm a Marine as well, they're not in this for the money, they opened the store to help others the same way that his wife had been able to switch off of the analogs. They blew their budget way over opening this store, but it was from savings, they don't have a loan on anything in the store. It just frustrates me that they don't see it as a benefit for the store, myself and every other employee has told them that the best thing for the store would be to attend the events even if it were just as spectators. I'll be pulling one of them aside today to have a talk with him on the subject of course.

 

[Browncoat]

1. Meet your target consumer face-to-face
2. Network with other businesses
3. Product demonstrations
4. See what's hot and what's not (inventory control)

And that's just the benefits of attending without setting up your own vendor booth. Of course the business has to weigh the expense of being a vendor versus possible sales/downtime. But I think most would agree that, especially for local events, it's a positive experience. If it were a big, national event, a local shop probably wouldn't do as well.

 

[BoomStick]

Money may not be the primary goal, but it's the primary factor that determines how long they stay in business. Successful doesn't necessarily mean greedy. Help the team all you can, but have your life jacket handy if the ship starts going down.

BTW, I'm a Marine too. Not sure how that's relevant, but good luck.

 

[Ktribb]

Money may not be the primary goal, but it's the primary factor that determines how long they stay in business. Successful doesn't necessarily mean greedy. Help the team all you can, but have your life jacket handy if the ship starts going down.

BTW, I'm a Marine too. Not sure how that's relevant, but good luck.

They're Marines, and they both have jobs where money isn't an issue and would want them to bring in money to their banks, computer work, and government contractor now, I didn't mention it, but the money part of it isn't really the issue is what I was getting at, that and they are here for the community kind of people.

 

[BoomStick]

I get what you're saying, but how can they help anyone if they don't keep up with the industry? And how long will they keep throwing money at a business that loses money every month? Good intentions aren't enough. They're going to have to wrap their head around how the private sector works or their business will fail. Do you really believe they will continue to support with their own money a business that operates in the red long term? The stronger their business is the more they can be an asset to the local community.

 

[Browncoat]

Most importantly, you can't pay the bills with good intentions.

I'm not sure I buy into that, anyway. I'm sure they're good people, but there are other ways of "giving back" instead of starting a business. Money is a motivator here, or at least it better be.

 

[vaperature]

Seems to me most expos don't allow you to solicit your own goods unless you purchase a table, which I'm sure is very expensive.

 

[Ktribb]

Seems to me most expos don't allow you to solicit your own goods unless you purchase a table, which I'm sure is very expensive.

Yes, I understand this, but going even as a patron has gains to it without being a vendor

 

[Ktribb]

Since the store opened we haven't had a single day in the red, so FOR RIGHT NOW things are good, but they want the products that are going to be big as they come out, for that it definitely helps to have the contacts, so I'll just have to have a good conversation about it with them, I wasn't involved in the conversation they had about deciding on not going.

 

[vaperature]

Since the store opened we haven't had a single day in the red, so FOR RIGHT NOW things are good, but they want the products that are going to be big as they come out, for that it definitely helps to have the contacts, so I'll just have to have a good conversation about it with them, I wasn't involved in the conversation they had about deciding on not going.

I would trust that they know what their own marketing strategy is, especially if they're doing well. Maybe they don't care to carry all the new products that come out so fast it makes your head spin. If your goal is to sell Kias what's the point of going to the big Auto Show to see all the Lamborghinis?

 

[Ktribb]

I would trust that they know what their own marketing strategy is, especially if they're doing well. Maybe they don't care to carry all the new products that come out so fast it makes your head spin. If your goal is to sell Kias what's the point of going to the big Auto Show to see all the Lamborghinis?

Thank you for your input, and sorry for the rant post, but I've been fighting with it for almost a month now in my head, and my direct manager agrees with me completely, I know their marketing strategy and what they're looking for as I was a part of all that, it just seems that they aren't listening to the advice that is given that fits into the idea that they have in their head.

 

[BoomStick]

I can't see how local vape shop owners and employees going to a local vape expo is anything but a good idea. Make it a company outing and stop off somewhere for pizza and beer afterwards. Military folks understand the benefits of team building and a little social time away from work would accomplish some of that even if expo attendance doesn't turn out to be very beneficial. There is a way to make it a positive experience one way or another.