Training Seminars

The Maine Small Business Development Center produces a number of valuable seminars, specifically geared towards NEPTS, NEM and wholesale trade shows.

You do not need to be a Maine resident to attend. If you know of other valuable seminars that we can promote on our website, please contact us.

Bruce Baker - Trade Show Expert

Presenter: Bruce Baker 
Saturday, February 9, 2013, 9-5pm, $50 
Univ. of Southern Maine, Wishcamper Center - Room 133

34 Bedford St, Portland, Maine

9:00a – Noon: Creating Trade Show Booths That Sell!

• Proven ideas for booth displays 
• Design, materials and colors to lighting and environment 
• Design tips featuring NEM exhibitors
• Q&A 

1:00p – 4:00p: Marketing & Selling Strategies for Trade Show Success

• Dynamic sales, without the "hard sell" 
• Engage visitors at your booth 
• Tips to uncover what visitors need 
• Q&A 

4:00p – 5:00p: Been there, done that! NEM exhibitors and organizers will answer your questions.

• Is your product write for NEM?
• What should I expect as a new exhibitor?
• Winning the Best Booth award ...how is it done?
• Who attends NEM?
• What is allowed at my booth?

To register, visit https://www.mainesbdc.org/events/tradeshowWS/register.cfm

Collaterals That Sell: Developing Sales Materials for Trade Shows

Presenter: John Entwistle
January 16, 2013, 6-9pm, $10
Maine SBDC, 501 Forest Ave, Portland, Maine

Explore how to use the creative process, descriptive language, graphics and photography to help you increase the power of your trade show experience. Workshop covers:

• Developing brochures and sales sheets 
• Wholesale price lists 
• Order forms 
• Credit terms 
• Shipping policies 
• Product tags

To register, visit https://www.mainesbdc.org/events/tradeshowWS/register.cfm

Pricing To Sell: Pricing, Credit, and Shipping Policies for Wholesalers

Presenter: John Entwistle
January 23, 2013, 6-8:30pm, $10 
Maine SBDC, 501 Forest Ave, Portland, Maine

Learn good business preparation for profitable sales! Workshop covers:

• What does it really cost to produce my product? 
• Product pricing techniques 
• Identifying and handling shipping costs 
• Setting up new customer accounts 
• Obtaining credit references 
• Getting paid

To register, visit https://www.mainesbdc.org/events/tradeshowWS/register.cfm

About the Presenters

Bruce Baker

For 20 years, Bruce Baker has come to Maine to offer his insights to New England Products Trade Show exhibitors. A successful owner of a folk art/handcraft and jewelry stores, he added workshop presentations to his schedule and quickly became a sought-after speaker. He has presented hundreds of workshops for manufacturers, crafts-makers, retailers and wholesalers. Bruce brings boundless energy, great expertise, good humor, relevant information and ideas to his workshops. Come celebrate with us!

John Entwistle

John Entwistle is a business counselor with the Maine Small Business Development Centers and director of the Portland center at USM. He is a veteran participant of the New England Products Trade Show and has been involved in the show since its inception. A former business owner, John has counseled more than 3,000 small businesses is a Certified NextLevel instructor, and has written articles and conducted numerous workshops on business planning, market research, E-commerce, finance, marketing and pricing.