Trade show exhibitors to pour on hospitality
By Paul Vang
Montana Tavern Times
From my standpoint as an observer of the hospitality business, the Montana Tavern Association Trade Show seems a lot like one big candy store, along with a touch of carnival, and a bit of class reunion.
In other words, there's a lot going on and it's fun!
The 2009 MTA convention begins on Monday, Sept. 21 and runs through Thursday, Sept. 24, with most activities happening at the Hilton Garden Inn in Missoula. The trade show opens Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. and goes to 6 p.m., and then, again, from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday. It's a sure bet that everybody attending the convention will find much of interest during that time.
People who operate any kind of business need to keep up with what's happening and with new products and services that are available and can help you operate your business better and more profitably. That's why I belong to professional communicators organizations and go to annual conferences. The same applies to people in the hospitality business.
There is constant change and innovation in the hospitality business and if you want to find out what's going on, perhaps put your hands on some new equipment to see how it works, or talk to the people who possibly invented or improved or install these new products, this is your chance. You can find out about prices, installation, warranties, upgrades and services.
Going over my notes from last year's convention, some trade show highlights that I thought newsworthy were to talk to many people in crucial spots, such as representatives of Anheuser-Busch, at the time the Belgian company, InBev, was wrapping up their takeover of the American brewing giant.
I also got to know Jim Haney, who was there on behalf of MillerCoors, at the time those two big brewers were teaming up. Of course, since then, Jim Haney retired from his long career in the beer business and then reinvented himself as a representative of, and contributor to, the Montana Tavern Times. You can decide for yourself whether that's going over to the dark side.
In short, here's your chance to meet the people behind the products.
If you want to keep your business facility, along with customers and employees safe, there will be vendors of security cameras, alarms, safes and money handling equipment to show off their latest products and explain how they can fit their products into your business.
If entertainment is part of your business mix, you can find out about the latest in audio and visual equipment, along with jukeboxes, billiards and other amusement games.
If gaming is part of your business, Montana's licensed video gaming machine manufacturers will be there to demonstrate their latest gaming equipment and programs. It's also important to keep up with Montana's gaming and liquor regulations, and representatives of the state's regulatory agencies will be there to give personal attention to your concerns.
"Point-of-sale" business products seemed to have a lot of "wow" power when their representatives demonstrated what they can do to help businesses serve customers, manage inventories, stop losses, manage cash flow and all the many things that POS devices do for the business operator. I can only imagine what new wrinkles those people have come up with since I talked to them last year.
No business can afford to be without insurance, whether it's to protect property, employee health, liquor liability, workers compensation and other risks. Representatives of companies with expertise in the tavern and food service areas will be available to help business operators tailor the insurance protections they need.
Naturally, representatives of beer, wine and spirits producers will be on hand to showcase their products. That includes soft drinks, mix and coffee dealers, and food purveyors, as well. They'll likely be giving out samples of their products through the day, lest you get thirsty or a serious case of the munchies.
A nice little way to build sales is to have your customers purchase products such as shirts, jackets, caps and other merchandise with your business name on them. You'll be able to take a look at the latest in advertising specialties.
While there are ample opportunities to nibble and sip as you visit with the many dealers and sales representatives, the convention's noon buffet luncheon also takes place in the trade show area.
You'll even find the people who sell the janitorial products to keep your business clean, sanitary and attractive to customers.
Finally, the Tuesday trade show program concludes with cocktails and hors d' oeuvres in the trade show area and continuing to 6 p.m.