NEW West Jet booking number – CC7203

West Jet will offer a 10% discount off of the best regular fare at the time of booking (excludes web fares and seat sale pricing).

The discount is only available by contacting West Jet group agents via West Jet’s Convention line at 1-877-952-4696, Monday to Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (MST)

You must quote the convention code CC7203 at time of booking. IMPORTANT - This is not a promo code which can be used on westjet.com at this time.
　
Badge and Event Registration

All exhibitors and retailers can register online to enter the Prairie Showcase. Go to our www.wrla.org and follow the link.

* There is no charge for exhibitors or retailers to enter the show.
* VISA or MASTERCARD required at time of registration for event tickets.

 

Correction Notice: 2012 Prairie Showcase Sponsors

Should have read
Convention Club Level:
OGC Business Software

 

Plumbing and Electrical with Bob Sutherland –Winnipeg
Retail Business Management Studies Program – Edmonton

CLICK HERE to visit the education calendar and register today!

 

EXHIBITORS:

If booth payment is not received by October 28th (at the very latest) you will NOT appear in the December Show edition of the YardStick!   If you are unsure if you have paid and or need a copy of your booth invoice, or would like to pay via credit card - please call Lannie at 800-661-0253 ext. 4.

Please sign and return your Exhibitor Contracts and Health & Safety Forms NOW (if you haven't already).

All show information can be found by following this link http://www.wrla.org/prairieshowcase/exhibitor_guide.html 

 

Several weeks ago the WRLA sent a survey out to our membership for our upcoming 2011 Strategic Planning Symposium. We are so pleased to announce that 296 members chose to participate in this important industry survey.

All members who completed this survey were entered into one of two draws (one retailer member and one associate/affiliate member) for two complimentary passes for all evening events at the 2012 WRLA Prairie Showcase. The value of this package is $340.

The Winners are...

Kirk Campbell – AKX Lumber Ltd. (Retailer)
Brett Elanik – Flame X Inc. (Associate/Affiliate)

Thank you to all members who participated!

 

Take trade shows seriously

A trade show display or exhibit is a serious representation of your company's brands, business philosophy, quality and heart.

- Put your best people in the booth. This is no time to break in rookies.

- Tell your staff about the event goals, the expectations and the ground rules.

- Know who your key customers are in advance. Be prepared to engage them.
 
- Know who the hottest prospects are in advance. Prepare the staff to handle questions and concerns and to be alert to opportunities. Above all, teach them to listen to customers and prospects.

- Even small displays can be classy expressions of your organization. Pay attention to detail, avoid clutter, use graphics effectively (remember trade show exhibits are like billboards and need to be read and understood easily and quickly) and realize when people stop, they want to talk to you

 

Overview Responses to the autumn survey point to less optimism among firms than in the summer survey, as weaker expectations for U.S. growth and a more uncertain global outlook weigh on business sentiment. Indicators of future business activity, capacity constraints and price pressures have all moved down from the levels recorded in the previous survey.

The balance of opinion on future sales growth has fallen to just above zero, indicating that firms now expect little change in the pace of growth over the next 12 months. Businesses still intend to increase investment and employment, but the balances of opinion are lower.

On balance, firms expect increases in input costs to stabilize over the next 12 months, and foresee output prices rising at a slower pace. Expectations for inflation over the next two years have declined.

The balance of opinion on credit conditions continues to point to an easing, but to a lesser degree than in the summer survey.

Click here to view the complete survey.

 

To view our WRLA Education Calendar CLICK HERE

October 27 - 28, 2011
Hardlines Conference 2011
Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre
Toronto, ON
Contact: brady@hardlines.ca

October 29 - 30, 2011
Chalifour Fall Market
www.chalifourexpo.com
Place Bonaventure, Montreal, QC

November 2 - 6, 2011
Sexton Member Conference
San Diego, CA
www.sextongroup.com

November 17 - 18, 2012
New Canadian Home Improvement Show
Toronto Congress Centre
e-info@canadianhomeimprovementshow.com

November 24 - 26, 2011
RONA 2012 Spring Market
Le palais des Congress, Montreal PQ

January 18-20, 2012
2012 Prairie Showcase Buying Show & Convention
Prairieland Park, Saskatoon
ckelly@wrla.org

February 2, 3, & 4, 2012
Orgill 2012 Spring Market
Orlando, FL
www.orgill.com

March 30-31, 2012
TIM-BR MART National Buying Show
Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, ON