The show started off with a great speech by General Stan McChrystal highlighting the importance of communication within any field. If you have never heard of General McChrystal a quick trip over to his bio is well worth your time. He stressed the importance of leadership, teamwork, and how to make the most of your team. The speech was informative, entertaining, and even funny at times.
Next came an initial walk through of the massive showroom floor. I spent more than an entire day walking the rows and rows of booths and displays the vendors had set up. I was able to learn about new and exciting products that can be directly translated into the properties in which I work. I will be detailing these products in future posts.
I also attended a few classes which were very informational. These included classes on how to avoid OSHA fines, mistakes to avoid when building, multi-family expectations, and 50+ community trends to watch out for. These classes, while mostly geared toward residential builders were all helpful and informative. There were also many product demonstrations and hands on training right on the show floor. I will be writing more on these subjects in future posts.
The experience of attending such a large show was amazing, educational, and exhausting. When I came back to work my co-workers asked if I had fun. Yes, I had fun. I was in one of the most amazing cities our country has to offer, surrounded by people who have the same passion as I, gaining knowledge in a field I am excited to be in. With that said it was still work, I spent at least 8 hours a day at the show, walked miles and miles of the show room, spent hours talking with vendors, networked with many people, and tried to retain as much knowledge from the show as possible. I didn't leave the show with thousands of free-bees, I didn't spend every night out on the strip, and I didn't skip any part of the show I thought would be useful to me. I was there to learn and that is what I did, and did again the next day, and did again our last day there. Even with the dedication I put into the show I still wish I would've been able to get more out of it, I feel like there was more there to see, learn, and do.
One thing I wish I would have done is do more planning before the show, look at the showroom layout, check out the classes in more detail, and set a schedule for myself. I feel like I spent valuable time looking for classrooms and wandering around aimlessly. I didn't get a chance to go see the "The New American Home", a 6,700 square foot home with the latest building and finishing technologies on display. I also didn't attend some of the classes I would've liked to attend. Mostly because I was just overwhelmed by the shear volume of things to see and do.
If you ever have a chance to attend a show such as this prepare ahead of time and stick to your schedule. I skipped a class on weatherproofing building envelops I wish I would have attended because I was "too into the show". Stick to your schedule, the show floor and the vendors will be there when your done. I also wish I would've been a little more "pushy" toward some of the vendors. If they were with another person I would usually just skip their booth, thinking I would come back. There is too much going on to rely on that strategy, just ask them for a card or a pamphlet. Basically don't skip a chance to go to one of these shows, the amount of knowledge you will gain is priceless, just make sure you are well prepared, stick to your plan, and most of all have fun.
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