It's January, and for most portable sanitation contractors, that means the bulk of your inventory is scrubbed clean, lined up neatly in the yard, and waiting to go for the 2013 busy season. You've closed the books on 2012 and are starting to think about what you can do to build on your successes in the months ahead.
It's a perfect time to make plans to attend the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo Feb. 25-28 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. If the Expo has been part of your off-season routine, you know why you should be there. If you've never attended, you should consider joining PROs from across North America at the premiere trade show for the industry.
If a product is made for portable sanitation contractors, you'll see it there. And a full slate of education seminars provide valuable training in safety and vacuum service procedures, as well as a growing number of business-building topics. I've compiled my favorite reasons for attending the Expo right here. And throughout this issue of PRO, you'll learn more about the education and exhibit offerings.
Here are five reasons you should consider visiting the Expo next month:
Network with other contractors.
Doubtless there are a lot of day-to-day issues you'd love to discuss with another company owner or manager who understands what you go through. The last thing you'll do, however, is sit down and have a frank discussion about industry challenges with your local competitors. That's where the Expo comes in handy.
We've just identified your best opportunity for networking. While you're leery of talking to a competitor, you'll find dozens or hundreds of like business owners from other areas to talk to in Indy. Strike up conversations at lunch. Get to know people when you're looking at the same equipment on the exhibit floor. Participate in the Expo Roundtable discussion forums. Then keep in touch with your new friends throughout the year, building long-term networking relationships.
Grow relationships with manufacturers.
Your equipment suppliers want to help you succeed. That's a simple-stupid statement on my part. But it's human nature that if suppliers put a face and a story with your name, they'll be more likely to move mountains when you need them most. I'm not saying a sales rep won't take your order over the phone or act courteously and professionally without a face-to-face meeting. I am saying the more they know about you and your company, the more likely they'll be able to offer winning solutions to your equipment challenges.
When you meet a manufacturer's rep at on the exhibit floor, you can better explain what you like and don't like about their products. For example, if a vacuum truck builder has its latest rig on display, you can crawl aboard, discuss the controls or raise concerns about ergonomics as these issues relate to your work. The experts on hand can offer advice on work-arounds for different procedures or explain how machines can be customized to address your needs.
And if you have a productive discussion with a company representative, collect that person's business card and you now have a personal connection to reach out to in the future. Having an "in" with an equipment provider sure beats working up a ladder of customer service reps when you have a pressing issue.
Learn the latest about business building.
The Expo keys on business building in addition to stressing the technical side of the portable sanitation business. After all, even the greatest technical expertise won't help if your portable restroom company can't ensure the revenue necessary for your company to thrive.
This year, a large slate of seminars at the Expo features a return engagement by popular business coach Scott Hunter, who will give an all-day seminar entitled "2013 – Your Best Year Ever." Hunter draws large crowds to hear an inspiring message that will help any PRO become more successful. Other speakers will explore varied business topics, including marketing, effective management, small business branding and promotion, and using cloud computing technology.
Build commitment to the industry from your employees.
In your crew, you can probably identify a hardworking individual who's been with you for a few years, knows the ropes now, and could benefit from a few new challenges. This may be someone who's on the edge ... You know he or she could bolt for a new opportunity, or you could give them a reason to double-down on their commitment to your company and your industry.
There's a perfect candidate to ride shotgun with you to the Expo. A trade show can galvanize a good employee's interest in an industry, and gets them thinking about new ways to build your company. Seeing exhibit after exhibit of the latest and greatest equipment the industry has to offer and spending time with other high-caliber members of your industry will show your crew leaders they're not just doing a "job," they're embarking on a career. Encourage them to take "ownership" in the company; that is, treat the business like they own it. Then watch as good things happen.
Gain perspective for yourself.
Getting out from behind that desk and away from the office for a few days can help you address challenges in new and refreshing ways. We're all creatures of habit, to a certain extent, and we've dealt with the same issues the same way for so many years. The Expo, where dynamic ideas are shared in seminars and on the exhibit floor, gives you a new perspective and offers a new way of thinking on a variety of topics.
AND THE WINNER IS ...
Brad Rea, of Lakeside, Ariz., received a PRO T-shirt for winning our latest "Where's the Restroom?" contest. He recognized our mystery photos in the October 2011 issue of PRO were taken in Kenai, Alaska. He also knew the event shown was the dip-netting salmon fishing season for Alaska residents.
A photo shows the traditional dip-netting season in full swing at the mouth of the Kenai River last July. Fishermen from across the state converge on the beach with large nets to take sockeye salmon to fill their freezers with fish. Each head of household is allowed 25 salmon, plus an additional 10 fish for every additional family member.
The photo was submitted by Kimberly Wolfley, dispatcher for Peninsula Pumping, in Soldotna, Alaska, whose company services restrooms on the beach two or three times a day during the fishing season. Thanks Kimberly!
THE NEXT MYSTERY PHOTO
Turn inside to see our next "Where's the Restroom?" photo feature. If you are the first to identify where the photo was taken, you'll win a PRO T-shirt. But don't delay with your response. Guesses start flooding in as soon as the magazine is published online and delivered to readers' doorsteps.
