Dr. Shrink has just celebrated our 19th anniversary on April 2nd, 2011 and we want to take you back to where it all started to really grow for Dr. Shrink— TRADE SHOWS.
Trade shows have always influenced and impacted the ongoing success of Dr. Shrink. The shows allow us the opportunity to interact with people and tell them all about the great products and services that Dr. Shrink has to offer. Not only do we get to interact with people that attend the shows, but we also get a chance to see what is up-and-coming in various industries, which allow us to better serve our customers. Even with his extremely busy schedule, we got the chance to sit down for a few minutes with the man that started it all; Dr. Shrink’s President and founder Mike Stenberg, to get his views on trade shows and how they have benefited Dr. Shrink.
When asked if he remembered the first show that Dr. Shrink ever went to, Mike recalled his trip to the IMTEC in Chicago 19 years ago. Mike states, “The IMTEC show was a show where distributors and suppliers demonstrated their boating parts and accessories. It was awesome!” From humble beginnings to going to numerous shows all over the world, Dr. Shrink owes a lot of credit to the wonderful people he met at past shows who helped the company get to where it is today.
The benefits are stacked high for exhibiting at all the different trade shows and Mike was very adamant about going to them, stating, “Shows are absolutely beneficial for us, especially in this downed economy that we’re in right now. You have to go out and build the business anyway you can. Even with all the technology and media in the world today, it still pays to press the flesh. Even though we’ve been around a long time now, some people still don’t know who we are or what shrink wrap is. Opportunity is waiting in the wings and going to these trade shows gives us great opportunity to show people what shrink wrap is all about.”
On a more personal note, we asked Mike what his favorite part of going to trade shows is. He answered, “Making a sale is the best thing. Getting out and meeting a hot lead and hunting for the customer is a ball.” Mike is always on the move to different shows nationally and internationally. We decided to put him on the spot and see which environment he likes to work in more; the office or exhibiting at shows. Mike stated, “Well, I’m always connected; technology is a fingertip away and I’m always ready. No matter where I am or when it is, I’m always game to do business. I don’t necessarily have to be in the office or at a show, because I’m always available.” If you have done any business or correspondence with Mike, we are sure you’ve appreciated and have been impressed by his quick and timely responses. Prompt service is a core value he makes sure to implement every day within his company and technology is most definitely his ally. Mike is very tech savvy and is always keeping up on new technology and software that is coming out in order to better serve his customers. Last month, we created an online electronic product catalog so someone across the globe can view it instantly with the click of a mouse or keypad.
Mike is always excited to meet a current customer at a trade show and hopefully you will be next! Keep track of trade show schedules on our marketing website and newsletter to see if we’ll be around your area. Be sure to stay tuned to next week’s blog when we go “A Day in the Life” with Ryan Polcyn at the Con Expo trade show he exhibited at a couple weeks ago.
