"GAME-CHANGER": WERC Drops Trade Show, Adopts Collaborative Model

Advertisement
- 21 Nov 2019 ( #950 )
3 min read

Oak Brook, IL, Oct. 29, 2019 - The Warehousing Education and Research Council, North America's leading professional association for distribution logistics professionals, has abandoned the traditional trade show model in favor of a pioneering, collaborative new approach to business education and networking.

Starting in 2020, WERC's groundbreaking Solutions Studio Sessions will bring attendees and vendors together to talk about industry products and services in a zero-pressure group setting. These Solutions Studio Sessions will be fully integrated into the conference agenda. Attendees will get access to quality information without enduring high-pressure sales tactics on the showroom floor, and vendors -- known as Solutions Partners at WERC conferences -- will access an engaged, captive audience and higher quality leads.

"For years our conference attendees have been telling us they don't value the traditional trade show experience," said Angie Silberhorn, CMP, Vice President of Events Strategy and Operations at WERC. "Our Solutions Partners reported ROI comparable to bigger shows, but that doesn't mean they were getting a lot of bang for their buck. It has been clear for a long time that the traditional trade show format had to evolve to meet the needs of 21st century businesses. This new format will help distribution logistics professionals build authentic relationships with businesses that can help them work smarter and faster, and that's what we're all about."

WERC conference committee member and Yale Materials Handling Corporation Director, Brand Marketing Chris Murtha said his company has been evaluating ROI from traditional trade shows and is excited about the opportunity to connect directly with WERC attendees at Solutions Studio Sessions.

"With the advent of internet and social media marketing, the reality is that people don't really engage at trade shows to stay current the way they used to," Murtha said. "The real benefit of the WERC conference is that we meet face-to-face with top distribution and logistics industry leaders from across North America. The new Solutions Studio Sessions will make it so much easier to identify and connect with those businesses that can most benefit from what we have to offer, and that's the whole point of attending."

"I think this new format is going to be a game-changer," Murtha added.

To learn more about the changes coming to WERC 2020, watch our four-minute video summary of the changes or download a copy of the Solutions Partner prospectus. Interview requests can be directed to Angie Silberhorn.

WERC 2020

Contact: Angie Silberhorn, CMP, Vice President, Events Strategy and Operations, WERC
Office: +1 630-990-0001
Email: send an email


WERC 2020
May 3-6, 2020

Rhode Island Convention Center
Providence, RI



ABOUT WERC

The Warehousing Education and Research Council is the only professional organization focused on logistics management and its role in the supply chain. Since 1977, WERC has been the undisputed leaders in helping warehouse, supply chain and logistics professionals to build their businesses and excel in their careers. The annual conference is attended by more than 1,000 of the country's leading distribution and supply chain management experts, and dozens of top logistics and supply chain companies take part in its Solutions Partner Program. Learn more by visiting werc.org.
To learn more about impactful advertisements: download our media kit
The article on this page is supplied by and shown on behalf of an advertiser and does not in any way represent the views of Forkliftaction. The originators take full responsibility for their content. We advise you to contact the advertiser directly for any matters concerning this article.
Words of support …

Thanks to advertising with Forkliftaction, we have received inquiries and more and more people are aware of Ningbo Ruyi Joint Stock Co.,Ltd, which fits with our company's goal to go global and let the world know more about the benefits of our Xilin brand.

Michille Shi, Vice General Manager Sales
Upcoming in the editorial calendar
WIRELESS CHARGING
Aug 2025
MANAGING MIXED FLEETS
Oct 2025

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

Inside The News
As part of Forkliftaction’s 25th anniversary celebrations, we have dug into the archive and, over the next year, will be highlighting a carefully curated selection of historical stories we have published over this time... Continue reading
Upcoming in the editorial calendar
WIRELESS CHARGING
Aug 2025
MANAGING MIXED FLEETS
Oct 2025
Inside The News
As part of Forkliftaction’s 25th anniversary celebrations, we have dug into the archive and, over the next year, will be highlighting a carefully curated selection of historical stories we have published over this time... Continue reading
Words of support …

Thanks to advertising with Forkliftaction, GemOne has experienced a significant enhancement in our online presence. Working with Forkliftaction has enabled us to boost engagement with our targeted audience, resulting in an increase in information requests and downloads of valuable materials from our website. Forkliftaction has consistently delivered outstanding results, helping us to effectively connect with the right audience.

Justine Lootens, CEO

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

Upcoming industry events …
October 8-9, 2025 - Twickenham, United Kingdom
October 21-23, 2025 - Panama City, Panama
November 11-13, 2025 - Singapore, Singapore
Inside The News
As part of Forkliftaction’s 25th anniversary celebrations, we have dug into the archive and, over the next year, will be highlighting a carefully curated selection of historical stories we have published over this time... Continue reading
Words of support …

After advertising with Forkliftaction.com, we got many enquiries regarding interest to be our distributor. Mostly from Europe and USA but including a few in ASEAN. We feel that the advertisement was useful and good for market expansion.

Lawrence Xu, Assistant Sales Manager

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

Upcoming in the editorial calendar
WIRELESS CHARGING
Aug 2025
MANAGING MIXED FLEETS
Oct 2025