Trade Show
Your #ATA2022 Checklist: Complete These Tasks ASAP
Determine who you want to see and what you want to do at the Show to position your business for success in Louisville.
Photo Credit: ATA
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Author: Cassie Gasaway
The 2022 ATA Trade Show has giveaways, exciting events, numerous educational opportunities and over 470 exhibitors offering a mix of Show specials, booth events and new products. Attending the Show will be fun, rewarding and beneficial to your business. Complete these tasks now to make the most of your Show experience in Louisville, Jan. 7-9.
- Register and Get Qualified for ATA’s $20K Giveaway
Registration for the Show closes Dec. 17. And, as a bonus for ATA-member retailers, if you register for the Show by Friday, Dec. 17, and attend the Show on Buyer Day, Friday, Jan. 7, you will be automatically entered to win a cash prize of up to $10,000. Yep! The ATA is giving away $20,000 to 11 retailers. One will win $10,000, while 10 others will win $1,000. Knock it off your to-do list and register for #ATA2022 right now. Click here to visit the registration webpage.
- Book Your Travel and Hotel
After registering for a Trade Show badge, the next step is to book your hotel and make travel arrangements. Don’t procrastinate! If you do, you might end up paying a higher price. The deadline to book rooms in the ATA hotel block is Tuesday, Dec. 21. You can access the hotel block in your MyATA member dashboard account after registering. If you prefer to make your hotel reservation over the phone, you can call the Louisville Tourism Housing Department directly at (800) 743-3100. You will need your “Group Code” to access the hotel block. You’ll find that code in your Express Pass email, which you will receive after you register.
To view the hotel map and hotels in the ATA block, click here. All hotels will have a complimentary morning and evening shuttle service provided by ATA that runs to and from the Kentucky Exposition Center Jan. 6-9, 2022. Visit the ATA’s hotel information webpage for more information. Then, secure your travel plans. Review the Schedule of Events to ensure you arrive in time to attend the Show’s exciting events.
Download our mobile app and enter into our giveaway. Photo Credit: ATA
- Download the Mobile App (And Enter the Giveaway)
Get all things #ATA2022 at your fingertips with the 2022 mobile app. Use the app to view the events schedule, browse the education schedule, get live notifications for Show happenings and find exhibitors on the ATA’s interactive floor map. Also, the app will be the only place to view exhibitor booth events, so you’ll want to have it. To download the official 2022 ATA Trade Show mobile app, search for “ATA 2022” in your app store. Once you’re in, complete the “Enter to Win” form for your chance to win a Scent Crusher Gear Bag ($199 value) and 12 Victory Archery VAP SS 350 V1 Arrows ($220 value). The ATA will notify the mobile app giveaway winner after the Show.
At the Show, attendees can use the app to access the Featured Products Voting Ballot to vote for their favorite products in the Featured Products Showcase. The winning products will receive a Best in Show award. Voting will close at 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 7.
- Create a Budget
Maximize your money by making wise buying decisions at the Show. Of course, there will be Show specials, dealer pricing and plenty of opportunities to save big, but if you splurge too many times, you might find your business in big trouble. The best way to avoid overspending is to approach the Show with a budget and a buying plan. Review your sales history and anticipate your annual revenue to determine realistic spending numbers. Don’t forget to factor in trip costs like snacks, drinks, meals, parking and hotel and transportation expenses. Your Show budget should include all Show-related expenditures.
The ATA is mailing the printed Exhibitor Show Special Guide to members before the Show. Big Buck Tags coupons will be printed in the Guide allowing you to review the Show specials and giveaways before arriving in Louisville, so you can make a more thorough and complete shopping list. Remember to bring the Guide with you to the Show to reference on-site. Also, when you’re at the Show, be disciplined and stay on track. Log your purchases in real time so you can easily see how much you spent and how much you have left to spend.
Take a look at the exhibitor list and identify those you'd like to add to your schedule. Photo Credit: ATA
- Determine Your Must-See Exhibitors
With hundreds of exhibitors at #ATA2022, it’s difficult to spend quality time with each of them. Plus, the 2022 Innovation Zone will feature 28 exhibitors. The IZ is a special area on the Show floor reserved for manufacturers new to the industry. Twenty-one companies will be making their Trade Show debuts, and seven will return for their second year in this space. With a mix of new and long-standing exhibitors, you’ll want to prioritize which booths to visit first.
View the Show floor plan to locate your go-to vendors. You can also use the ATA’s mobile app to mark your favorite exhibitors with a star. You’ll find your starred exhibitors in the “MyTrade Show Planner” tab under “My Exhibitors.” If you’re worried you won’t get the one-on-one attention you want with one of your long-standing accounts, connect with them to schedule a sit-down meeting. The app and mailed Show Guide both will list an exhibitor’s contact information. Also, it’s best to visit your must-see exhibitors on Buyer Day, Jan. 7. Buyer Day restricts the Show floor to verified buyers and exhibitors the first day of the Show, which reduces Show floor traffic so you can focus on order writing, business planning and new-product evaluations.
BECOME A MEMBER
WE ARE HERE TO HELP THE INDUSTRY, TO HELP INDIVIDUAL BUSINESSES GET THE MOST OUT OF THE INDUSTRY, AND TO HELP YOU.
Attend free seminars or Coffee Talks, register for archery instructor training, or register for the Archery Industry Masterclass series. Photo Credit: ATA
- Pick Educational Events to Attend
ATA staff have created a robust educational lineup. It’s stacked with knowledgeable presenters and unique topics. Browse the seminar and Coffee Talk schedules to highlight your favorite free events. You’ll find presentations on sales, finances, customers, marketing, insurance, shooting techniques and product and industry trends. Star these sessions in the ATA’s mobile app to add them to your schedule. You’ll find all your starred educational items in the “My Trade Show Planner” tab under “My Itinerary.”
And, if you haven’t already, register for the ATA’s Archery Industry Masterclass, which provides detailed and in-depth information beyond the high-level curriculum covered in morning seminars and Coffee Talks. ATA members can register for $100, while nonmembers must pay $500. The course curriculum covers information on business, coaching, marketing and archery tech. Click here for registration details and to learn more about the Masterclass.
ATA members can also sign up to get certified to teach archery through a USA Archery Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 Instructor Certification course. All courses will have an online component and an in-person portion. The hybrid approach allows participants to complete most of the coursework in the comfort of their home before the Show, giving them more time on the Show floor.
Do the prep work above to position your business for success at the Show. It might be cumbersome now, but it will make your Show experience less stressful and more enjoyable.
If you need help or have questions about the 2022 Show, please contact the ATA business, membership and Trade Show office at (507) 233-8130.
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