Trade Show Co-Chairs Announced

The MIAC Board of Directors has announced that the new Trade Show Co-Chairs for MIAC 2008 / PAL Show (August 24-25, Toronto International Centre) will be Paul Pinchuk (left) and Eric Teacher (right), both currently serving on the Board.

Paul Pinchuk is the President of Musical Instrument Distribution Canada (Markham, ON) and will be responsible for the MIAC division of the Show. Eric Teacher is Account Manager at Osram Sylvania (Aurora, ON) and will be responsible for the PAL division of the Show. Both directors will represent the concerns and interest of exhibitors in their respective areas for the benefit of all participants.

A pilot project has begun to introduce sales and management training programs for PAL manufacturer, distributor and retailer members. This is an important value added service for members which will be developed further during the coming year. It will have many benefits for program participants and assist companies with staff upgrading.

For the pilot project, a series of one-day courses will be offered beginning with Sales Development 101 & 102; Management Development-Staff Selection; and Decision Making Techniques.

The sessions will be facilitated by Bill Locke, President and Founder of Exsellence Planning Systems, Inc. established in 1994. Bill has worked with successful organizations and his courses have always been well received by other industries. He is also a former veteran of the Canadian music products industry for more than 30 years. Bill has also completed 17 years of volunteer service with the MIAC Board of Directors and various Committees, and was the Association President 1982-83.

MIAC members who are interested in the courses may obtain more information by contacting Bill Locke directly at 905-668-0142 or email info@exsellenceplanning.ca.

Initial course registration dates for courses will be:

• March 3/08 - Sales Training 101 (full day)
• March 10/08 - Sales Training 102 (full day)

PAL is pleased to announce that exhibitors from the MIAC 2007/PAL Show will be able to upgrade their 2008 exhibit space at a 50% discounted rate for each booth of 100 square feet or more, over and above their 2007 exhibit space. This very affordable option will allow for the showcase and great visual display of more exhibitor products.

For more information, please contact Barbara Cole, Trade Show Manager, toll free 1-877-490-6422 ext. 104, email barbara@miac.net.

Exhibitor information kits for MIAC 2008 / PAL Show (August 25-25) are now available from the MIAC/PAL National Office. If your company has not yet received a kit, or you require more information please call toll free 1-877-490-6422 ext. 105.

New for this year's PAL Show, we are pleased to offer the opportunity for our exhibiting partners to present product training sessions at PAL 2008. Show attendees represent the industry's largest, most passionate and most opinionated audience of dealers, consultants, designers, distributors, independent reps, installers, rental and staging contractors, technicians and systems integrators.

Exhibiting companies may now provide these attendees with in-depth product training and information sessions, encourage them to ask questions, and give them quality time with technical staff.

Product training rooms will be rented to exhibitors who wish to conduct these special product training sessions. Rooms will be rented based on a first-come, first served basis. An effort will be made to accommodate all requests.

Daily, three hour and 90-minute session times are available through Show Management. Daily session time slots indicate a full-day class or several sessions held throughout a day in a classroom.

For more information, please contact Barbara Cole, Trade Show Manager, toll free at 1-877-490-6422 ext. 104, or email barbara@palshowcase.com.

The MIAC/PAL Showcase National Office is located at Suite 807, 505 Consumers Road, Toronto, Ontario, M2J 4V8 (located near Victoria Park Avenue and Highway 401) and is a member resource.

Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, and all MIAC/PAL members are cordially invited to visit the National Office when you are in the area. Contact numbers are 416-490-1871 (local) or toll-free 1-877-490-6422.

For all the latest Association news and activities, visit us online at www.miac.net or www.palshowcase.com.