Although the ATA Trade Show is the industry’s largest buying and selling event, it’s much more than that. It’s also a great place for ATA members to learn, grow and continue their business education. Thanks to ATA’s outreach and education team, attendees have endless opportunities to expand their knowledge and boost their business at the 2019 ATA Trade Show, Jan. 10 to 12 in Louisville.
Let’s review several of the Show’s outreach and educational events.
Attend any of our informative seminars with industry professionals. Photo Credit: ATA
ATA staff members – led by Kurt Smith, ATA’s director of industry relations – select several experts to present seminars on coaching, bow-tuning, sales and marketing, and industry trends. Each 60-minute seminar provides vital training or information to help ATA members improve their bottom lines.
“We know our members invest lots of time and resources to get to the Show, so it only makes sense that they make the most of it by attending seminars to hear ideas and meet people they otherwise wouldn’t,” Smith said.
Seminars are held from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. in rooms C-101 to C-109 all three mornings of the Show. Click here to view the full seminar schedule.
New this year: My ATA Coffee Talks. ATA staff and partners are hosting 30-minute, single-topic discussions in the My ATA Area, which is located between the North and South wings of the Kentucky Exposition Center.
ATA members can meet with ATA outreach staff over coffee to learn more about the Retail Council’s efforts, ATA initiatives like Explore Bowhunting and Explore Bowfishing, and other topics such as the ATA’s new brand, federal excise taxes, and intellectual-property issues. Members are encouraged to stick around for one-on-one conversations afterward. Coffee is free all day in the My ATA Area. The ATA is also giving away travel mugs at the coffee station. Stop by early to get yours before they’re gone. View the Coffee Talk schedule here.
Meet with ATA partners and network with agencies. Photo Credit: ATA
The ATA’s outreach team encourages ATA partners and organizations to attend the Trade Show to meet each other and discuss their programs and challenges. Staff from state agencies, nongovernmental organizations and other groups will gather in the My ATA Area to introduce ATA members to tools, programs and resources that recruit, retain and reactivate archers and bowhunters. You can also learn new ways to work together to increase participation in your community.
Members of the ATA Retail Council, a group that guides and supports fellow archery retailers, will be available in the My ATA Area throughout the Show. The Council, comprised of retailers on the ATA Board of Directors, wants to hear your concerns about business and the industry so they can better address challenges you’re facing.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP THE INDUSTRY, TO HELP INDIVIDUAL BUSINESSES GET THE MOST OUT OF THE INDUSTRY, AND TO HELP YOU.
Get certified as an archery instructor with our certification programs at discounted rates. Photo Credit: ATA
The ATA offers Level 1, Level 2 and Scholastic 3-D Archery instructor certification classes at the Show. Certification adds credibility to your business and helps you offer money-making programs at your shop. Getting certified at the Show also saves you time because each class is tailored to experienced ATA-member retailers. You’ll also save $200 because the ATA pays for the classroom, equipment and instructors.
Retailers can register online for the Show’s instructor certification classes. Visit the instructor certification page to view class options and times, and register today!
ATA staff work for you. That’s why the My ATA Area will be staffed full-time during the Show. You can talk to them about archery sports in your community, the ATA’s new strategic plan and focus, and how to integrate archery classes and programs into your shop. You can also ask about the free resources and services available to ATA members.
"We highly encourage members to come talk to their outreach and education team in the My ATA area at Show,” said Samantha Seaton, ATA’s outreach and education program manager. “We can help you launch programming, increase revenue for your shop, and connect with your community. Our team exists to help our members and ATA partners, so please take advantage of us!"
The ATA welcomes all member feedback. “If members want to discuss the Show, the ATA or the industry in general, we’ll be there to listen,” Smith said.
Make the most of your trip to Louisville, and capitalize on the ATA’s many learning opportunities offered by the outreach team.
If you have questions, please contact Nicole Nash, ATA’s range and retail-programs manager, at (502) 640-0944 or nicolenash@archerytrade.org.
