CLDA Magazine - Summer 2017 CLDA_SUMMER17-Online | Page 13

T E U T R I E N D G M R E E M C B A ER A N N U A L F E M A E P to meet in the same spot and have one-on-one meeting with us face to face. I’ve landed accounts without ever meeting my clients in person. At the show I get to connect with them. I can do fine on the phone or by email, but it’s much more fun to meet them face-to-face at these meetings. DO YOU GET BUSINESS OUT OF THE SHOWS? Murray: Definitely. We wouldn’t keep coming back if we didn’t. Last year, for example I connected with a guy at this show from a high-end furni- ture shipper. He came to the booth and said, “I’m excited you’re here. I’m looking for a new agent in the Utah market.” We had a great c on- versation and today we continue to do a significant amount of business with that company every month. THIS YEAR WESTERN PEAKS LO G I S T I C S I S D O I N G M O R E T H A N S E L L I N G AT T H E SHOW. TALK ABOUT THAT. Murray: Historically we just had a sales and business development staff at the show. Last year we invited two of our Operations Managers from Salt Lake City and Denver to attend and participate in the sessions. They enjoyed the conference, the interaction with our custom- ers, and the information they learned in the educational session. One Ops Manager told me, “I’ve know these guys for years in this business. I finally get to meet them face to face. We’re all in the same boat so it’s great to share ideas with them.” We felt the educational sessions were 13 so helpful that we have invited more of our operational team again this year. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO’S ON THE FENCE ABOUT EXHIB- ITING OR JUST COMING TO THE SHOW? Murray: My advice is join in. Come to the shows and join the associa- tion. You’ll get in front of a lot of great people. You’ll be able to tell them what you do well. You’ll bring in business; get to know your existing clients better and meet other folks in the business. If you’re in the business why wouldn’t you join the association and go to the meetings? It’s invaluable. Everybody thinks about the cost to attend but all it takes is one account and you’ve paid for the trip in a heart-beat. Come to the shows and join the association. You’ll get in front of a lot of great people. You’ll be able to tell them what you do well. You’ll bring in business; get to know your existing clients better and meet other folks. Customized Logistics and Delivery Association | Fall 2016