Conference
3 Day Schedule of Events – click here
As the paintball industry looks to re-invent itself – the good fields continue to move this sport forward – just as they have done for the past 30 years. They continue to promote, market, inform, teach and create events while handling the business of daily operations.
Over the years we have had one event, in one location, that became “Switzerland” for paintball and a place where for one day, the focus was on the education and discussion of paintball as a business.
We will once again be offering this opportunity to the industry and field operators. Workshops will include business experts in the fields of social media, operations, public relations, airsoft inclusion etc.
Pittsburgh is a place where our industry can attend in a politically neutral venue. And they can know that we’ll do our best to make it fun, informative and valuable. “Time Well Spent” will be our goal for ALL attendees!
Get Your Tickets Here – click here
Speaker Bio’s
The Magic of the Mouse: Bringing the Theme Park Experience to Your Customers – Scott Brown
Immerse yourself in the history, philosophies and operational strategies of the most magical place on Earth. Discover what the world’s favorite theme park can teach you about personal and professional success. Entertaining, informative and packed with practical ideas for business and life – the only thing better than this workshop is spending a day at the park!
From personally working on the frontlines of service to managing those who do, Scott Brown has been researching, developing and practicing his customer service and management strategies for over 20 years.
While working in the very competitive family entertainment industry, where customer service is held to the highest standards and managers are expected to lead young, often unmotivated employees, Scott developed the Six Essentials of Service. These Essentials are powerful principles that apply to all organizations and became the basis for Scott’s first book, “Who Cares? Creating A Culture of Service In Your Business.”
Scott has been frequently published on the subjects of Customer Service, Management and Leadership in various industry trade publications and currently serves on the FEC Education Committee for the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions.
Trends in Paintball and How They Directly Affect Your Business – John Amodea editor PaintballX3
What Your Website Offers Your Business
– includes survey results (eye-opening)
– includes social networking
– includes other miscellaneous marketing tips
Trends in Paintball and How They Directly Affect Your Business
– includes “State of the Industry”
– what products have better margins for your profits
– growth opportunities in a down market
How to Promote Your Business Through Magazines and Website
10 Key Ways To Accelerate YOUR Business – John Laslavic & Wendy Lydon
Working with successful business owners every day, licensed professional business coaches, John D. Laslavic, LPBC, and Wendy O. Lydon, LPBC of ThistleSea Business Development, LLC have experienced the panic of the business owners of a fast paced, growing out-of-control business; the pain of the owner of a sluggish business without any traction; and the cold stare of a business owner wanting to sell their business as their retirement nest egg and finding the business has not real value.
Business Owners, men and women alike, can gain clarity, establish their vision of success, develop goals and put action plans in place that lead them have a business that delivers for them – Success as the owner defines it. You will want to learn more through their powerful real stories and the 10 ways YOU might want to consider to accelerate your business. As the ThistleSea Business Development, LLC tagline says, “Because YOUR business should lead to Abundance”! www.thistlesea.com
ThistleSea Business Development – Because Your Business Should Lead to Abundance!
Greg Hastings – Marketing Panel Discussion
Greg Hastings can only be described as a fun loving adventurer, who craves the outdoors, thrives on tough challenges, and has always sought tough competition. Greg has always been an athlete and a competitor, excelling on many organized sports teams.
Through his “Tour of Duty” events he has been in a unique position to see first hand what players need and want and how to translate that in to sales. As part of the panel discussion he will share his insights in to this thing we all love called paintball.
Bambi Bullard – Marketing Panel Discussion
A player, field owner, and store owner for over 20 years, Bambi began her business with a locker box full of Splatmaster pistols and two pumps. Over time the operation has expanded to include multiple playing fields, a full service retail shop, marker tech services, remote training locations on military installations, and several affiliate operations.
The businesses she owns include Coastal Paintball, Coastal Trading Company, Coastal Special Events, and The Paintball University. She also developed the Atlantic Coast Tournament Series in 1999 and serves as its director. Retired from the Marine Corps, Bambi holds degrees in Business Management and Political Science and has taught various courses in the Business Division of Coastal Carolina Community college. Since the mid 90′s she has worked as a contributing writer and photographer for a variety of feature paintball publications.
Ron Goldblatt – Social Media to Enhance Your Business
Ron Goldblatt has been in the sporting goods industry for over 20 years. He joined Tippmann in 2005, and is currently the Director of Marketing and New Product Development. Prior to joining Tippmann, Ron worked as the managing director of golf clubs for Spalding Sports Worldwide, and has extensive international expertise and direct marketing experience. At Tippmann, Ron is responsible for the development and communication of all new products including the X7 Phenom and U.S. Army line of products, and has directed Tippmann as a leading company in social marketing including Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Ron lives in the Chicago area, is married and has three sons who are all active paintball players.
Kevin Sheehan – Social Media to Enhance Your Business
Kevin Sheehan has been in the sporting goods industry since 1992. He joined Tippmann in 2006 and is currently the Director of U.S. Sales. Prior to joining Tippmann, Sheehan served as Vice President of Sales Operations for MacGregor Golf Company, and held numerous sales and marketing positions with Tommy Armour Golf Company. Sheehan has a bachelor’s degree in business from Loras College and an M.B.A. from Albany State University. He lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana with his wife and four children.
Giovanni D’Egidio – Panel Discussion – Increasing your bottom line with AirSoft
Gio hails from Hollywood Sports. Currently, Giant Paintball employs over 250 employees throughout five facilities in Southern California. He also works with multiple state and local government industries on working with unemployed members of the community.
Giovanni is a member of the committee working on the “Save Paintball in California” campaign. He was the first of the group to have a “face to face” meeting with the Senator who sponsored the bill, where he educated him on paintball activities, safety standards and equipment. Together with his business partner Dennis Bukowski, Giovanni built the world’s first paintball tournament practice arenas in the early 90s, which advanced the competitive side of the sport immensely and lead to professional teams in California practicing on a regular basis.
Tom Cole – Panel Discussion – Increasing your bottom line with AirSoft
Tom Cole has literally grown up in the pantball industry. Starting out at the age of 17 Tom went on to captain the professional team, Bad Company out of Maryland. One of the original founders of NPPL( National Paintball Players League) he became President in 1993 and remained in that position until 2001. Tom then went to work for Kingman, one of the foremost gun manufacturers in the Industry, where he was the Director of Sales for 5 years.
Recently he just moved into the airsoft arena with PALCO and intends to use his vast knowledge of paintball and bring it to the family friendly shooting sport of Airsoft. He is also currently the Commissioner for NPPL and owner of the UWL (a 10-player Woodsball league.)
