Second Meeting Sets Tone for E+ Show By Traci Matt The 12th Annual E+ Show will in- clude a hall full of vendors, hands-on training stations, and technical semi- nars. But due to the rebuilding industry’s recent challenges, a “How to Save Your Business” workshop may just steal the show. According to Polly Ferree, publisher of the Electrical Rebuilder’s Exchange and promoter of the E+ Show, the workshop is a re- sponse to the urgent need that show advisers are hearing from their custom- ers and peers. This year’s E+ Show, a regional trade show aimed strictly at the elec- trical rebuilder, will be held in India- napolis, IN at the Indiana State Fair- grounds April 20 through 22. We mail the Exchange to more than 2,500 rebuilders within a 250-mile radius of Indianapolis, said Ferree. “When the suggestion for the ‘Save Your Business’ workshop was made at the first planning meeting in August, it seemed just what the doc- tor ordered,” she said. “It was anew concept and one that we had to work through, but this will definitely be a rel- evant inter-change. We were cautioned to keep away from marketing or eco- nomics topics that rebuilders have all heard a thousand times, and stick to the nitty-gritty. What can they do to- day to make a difference in their bot- tom line?” A second meeting of show advis- ers was held in Las Vegas, NV on Fri- day, October 27. There, the workshop topics were finalized, and the advisers decided they would be targeted at the “hands-on” owner. There will be four half-hour sessions which will precede the opening of the show floor on Sat- urday. Topics include: – Your opportunities in the future with 42-volt systems. — water pumps — air compressors — steering gears —and more! – How much money do you have lying around the shop? — core value — dollars per square foot of shop — work in progress; rob- bing parts – How to compete with and win over the “Big Boys” (AutoZone, Pep Boys, etc.). — Your competition can be your customer — Other rebuilders aren’t necessarily your competition – What is your time worth? — How do you charge? — How do you compare with local dealer and mechanic? The workshops will be completed Sunday with a roundtable wrap-up dis- cussion following the technical semi- nars. “This will give rebuilders time to digest what they’ve heard, talk it over on the show floor, and come prepared with specific questions that will help them make positive changes in their shops on Monday morning,” said Ferree. Another highlight of the weekend will be the precedent-setting E+ Show training stations. Even this has taken on a new attitude with a demonstra- tion and hands-on opportunity for rebuilders to surf the net. Other sta- tion topics include on-vehicle trouble- shooting; solenoids and drives; and regulators. Ferree said the 2001 E+ Show will be one of the most innovative and rel- evant shows she’s produced. “With the opportunities for bottom- NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 2000 line improvement, networking with suppliers and peers, technical informa- tion and demonstrations, we just think this will be more than worth the drive to Indy.” Page 1 of 1