Kirstie
PFG, Picture Framing God
We are back and just delighted that we went to both events. As the week continued and we got a taste of a PPFA convention, we felt honored to be a part of this event. We took a full load of classes--what a deal--take all the classes you can fit in, plus breakfast and lunch for 3 days for $170.each with the PPFA discount.
Too much catch up this morning and I'm off to work today so I will discuss classes later, but let me say that this was a great experience.
One example: We had a 30 piece giclee stretching job come in by e-mail from Germany while we were in Las Vegas, due in SF mid month. Ten are over 13' long. We needed advice, and what lucky timing! We had detailed, personal advice from Rob Markoff, Chirs Pashke, Hugh Phibbs, and several others. These industry leaders are just that--leaders. Aside from advice on this job we had other wonderful experiences: Bob Carter personally took us around the show room floor to introduce us to a few of his favorite vendors, and Rob and Barbara Markoff gave us invaluable corporate framing advice and an introduction to a new supplier--and a great steak house! We had breakfasts and dinners with several of these people who graciously answered questions and were so generous with their time. Baer gives advice in and out of class, not only on fabric but on all manner of framing. And of course Marc Bluestone is a font of marketing knowledge.
When you go to PPFA, the setting changes. WCAF is huge, and a great education and buying show. PPFA is smaller and more personal. In the lounge between classes everyone is hanging out together comparing notes. This convention is an unparalleled opportunity to get to know some of our industry leaders and see up close and personal how much work they put into the well being of our industry. We met too many people to name, and we are so impressed at the work so many do on behalf of our industry.
Finally, the PMA show. I would have been lost without Rob Markoff's show tour. In a couple of hours our group flew around the show while he pointed out booth after booth that we should visit later for possible framing product additions.Later, Jeff and I went back and visited each booth and picked up literature for future buying decisions. I bought a small, powerful 150 gb back up drive from Click Free for $100. How great is that?
So now we are back and have a week of catch up and then for me the real work starts: sorting out the masses of class notes, ideas, and product literature, and making an organized task list of how to slowly buy surely integrate some of these awesome new ideas and products into our business.
Marc Bluestone will help with this process because he provided his How to Get More Customers class a month my month bound workbook to help with this process. Totally awesome! One of the first things I am going to do is take photos of my shop from every angle, print them out and circle what needs improvement. A great idea from Rob's class.
Thanks to everyone for your hard work for this organization and to everyone who was so welcoming to us. Finally, meeting fellow Grumble members, too many to name, was just such a treat. Your guys are real treasures and keeping up our end of this work related support team is important to us.
--Jeff and Kirstie
Too much catch up this morning and I'm off to work today so I will discuss classes later, but let me say that this was a great experience.
One example: We had a 30 piece giclee stretching job come in by e-mail from Germany while we were in Las Vegas, due in SF mid month. Ten are over 13' long. We needed advice, and what lucky timing! We had detailed, personal advice from Rob Markoff, Chirs Pashke, Hugh Phibbs, and several others. These industry leaders are just that--leaders. Aside from advice on this job we had other wonderful experiences: Bob Carter personally took us around the show room floor to introduce us to a few of his favorite vendors, and Rob and Barbara Markoff gave us invaluable corporate framing advice and an introduction to a new supplier--and a great steak house! We had breakfasts and dinners with several of these people who graciously answered questions and were so generous with their time. Baer gives advice in and out of class, not only on fabric but on all manner of framing. And of course Marc Bluestone is a font of marketing knowledge.
When you go to PPFA, the setting changes. WCAF is huge, and a great education and buying show. PPFA is smaller and more personal. In the lounge between classes everyone is hanging out together comparing notes. This convention is an unparalleled opportunity to get to know some of our industry leaders and see up close and personal how much work they put into the well being of our industry. We met too many people to name, and we are so impressed at the work so many do on behalf of our industry.
Finally, the PMA show. I would have been lost without Rob Markoff's show tour. In a couple of hours our group flew around the show while he pointed out booth after booth that we should visit later for possible framing product additions.Later, Jeff and I went back and visited each booth and picked up literature for future buying decisions. I bought a small, powerful 150 gb back up drive from Click Free for $100. How great is that?
So now we are back and have a week of catch up and then for me the real work starts: sorting out the masses of class notes, ideas, and product literature, and making an organized task list of how to slowly buy surely integrate some of these awesome new ideas and products into our business.
Marc Bluestone will help with this process because he provided his How to Get More Customers class a month my month bound workbook to help with this process. Totally awesome! One of the first things I am going to do is take photos of my shop from every angle, print them out and circle what needs improvement. A great idea from Rob's class.
Thanks to everyone for your hard work for this organization and to everyone who was so welcoming to us. Finally, meeting fellow Grumble members, too many to name, was just such a treat. Your guys are real treasures and keeping up our end of this work related support team is important to us.
--Jeff and Kirstie
