WEEK 7: NAVIGATING VIRTUAL TRADE SHOWS
As in-person events, conferences, and trade shows across the US are canceled or rescheduled, virtual events are gaining momentum. For smaller startups, traditional trade shows can be seen as expensive, time-consuming, and complicated to navigate. Virtual events can provide an efficient way for them to show products to prospective retail buyers and journalists. Join us this coming Monday as we dig into these topics with a panel of virtual experts and startup Founders.
- RESOURCES -
Q&A
VIRTUAL &
IN-PERSON SHOWS
MORE RESOURCES
From May 15th's Audience
Question: "What is the one piece of advice you would give to a startup as they prep for their presentation at a virtual media event?"
Jenna Celmer: "Make it human and don’t forget your “why”. Cool products saturate the market - there is no shortage. Passion and personality will be what set you apart, especially to media as they seek the story behind the product. Err on the side of vulnerability over a completely polished video or presentation. This is how you connect with an audience, even when a screen separates you. And remember to maintain your brand voice. If your brand is funny, be funny."
REVEAL Global Media Conference
Catapult Innovation Labs has teamed up with panelist, the Thin Air Show (June 24- 26, 2020) to extend the following special offers to our outdoor industry startup community! Offers include discounted booth pricing*, a contest for a free booth, and a Pitch Event. See the Thin Air website for more details.
*$500 price instead of regular $1,500. Outdoor industry startups with up to $1MM in revenue are eligible. Use code “Catapult” when completing your registration. Only 5 booths available at this price, first-come-first-serve.
Need help creating professional video assets for your brand?
SNEWS can produce turnkey 360-degree videos that will make you stand out at virtual tradeshows. We are offering two for free and a special rate for founders and startups of $500 for a 60-second spot.
Email Sharon Houghton for details
Read SNEWS' recap of the
REVEAL show here.
Don't miss out on virtual tradeshow news, including coverage on the upcoming Thin Air Show.
Sign up for the free SNEWS newsletter here.
In the upcoming issue of The Voice, we'll have an in-depth look at our new normal of virtual gatherings, events, and shows, plus a complete picture of how the coronavirus has impacted all facets of the outdoor industry, an investigation into our industry's pro-deal problem, and much more.
PANELISTS
KRISTIN HOSTETTER
EDITOR & CHIEF - SNEWS
CAPE COD, MASS
Kristin is the Editor-in-chief of SNEWS (snewsnet.com) and The Voice. For 22 years prior to that, she served as BACKPACKER’s gear editor. She is the author of four books including BACKPACKER’s Complete Guide to Outdoor Gear Maintenance and Repair and Don’t Forget the Duct Tape and has appeared as an outdoor expert on NBC’s Today, CBS’s The Early Show, and The Martha Stewart Show.
KENJI HAROUTUNIAN
SHOW DIRECTOR - BIG GEAR SHOW
CALIFORNIA
Kenji has more than 30 years of experience in the outdoor recreation industry. From 2007 to 2015, he served as group show director for the Nielsen Sports Outdoor Group (now Emerald Expositions), leading Outdoor Retailer, Fly Fishing Retailer, and numerous ancillary events.
ROB
REEDY
FOUNDER - ECHOS / REVEAL
COLORADO/CALIFORNIA/OREGON
ECHOS Communications is a leader in authentic public relations for an active lifestyle, outdoor, consumer technology, and cycling brands. ECHOS recently introduced REVEAL, a global media conference that quickly established itself as the leader in virtual media gatherings and has created a roadmap for multiple categories and cultures throughout the year.
JENNA
CELMER
VP DIGITAL STRATEGY - GEARMUNK
COLORADO
Jenna is a digital marketing strategist, podcaster, and speaker with a passion for community building. Currently, she is VP of Digital Strategy for Gearmunk, an outdoor tech startup and also the co-founder of the Thin Air OutdoorMedia Show and co-host of the Outdoor Dream Jobs podcast, an extension of the "Basecamp" community of 13K outdoor industry professionals, which she helps manage.
JENNY
KORDICK
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - MAINE OUTDOOR BRANDS
Jenny joined Maine Outdoor Brands (MOB) as Executive Director in 2019. MOB is a membership-based organization bringing together a diverse mix of innovators and entrepreneurs around the mission of promoting and growing Maine’s outdoor recreation economy. The 60+ outdoor product, service, and retail companies that are MOB members benefit from knowledge sharing, collaborative marketing and commerce efforts as well as access to professional resources.
SARAH
WOOD
OWNER - GOOD TALK &
CO-FOUNDER - SUPPLY CONNECTOR
NORTH CAROLINA / COLORADO
Sarah is an experienced small business strategist with a demonstrated history of helping owners become better leaders, directors better managers, teams more cohesive and effective, and businesses more profitable and sustainable. Sarah has worked in varied industries; from the outdoor industry and outdoor nonprofits to music and manufacturing. Sarah most recently served as the VP of Operations with Industry Nine, a cycling component manufacturer in Asheville, NC, and Executive Director of 5Point Film Festival out of Carbondale, CO prior to that. She launched her new business management firm, Good Talk Jan 2020 focusing on organizational design, strategy, and project management. Sarah is also the chair for the NC Outdoor Recreation Coalition and co-founder of the Supply Connector.