The following list includes a few assumptions; you’re not an elite in any frequent flyer program (that can lower some fees), you’re flying discounted coach (full-fare & business can lower fees), you are flying from the US to Europe (other regions have their own fee structures), and your flight handles baggage on the “piece concept” (meaning you get 2 bags with a max weight, not a max weight with unlimited bags). It is true as of 12/24/09 to the best of my knowledge. As we all know, the airlines can be fickle and change their policies on a whim. Check the included links for more info and call the airlines to be sure. This is only a rough guide; if you don’t check and get hit with an unexpected fee, don’t come crying to me!

¹$200 in US, 200euro from Europe
²$300 in US, 300euro from Europe

A couple of other notes. The fees have been converted to US$ (if necessary) from Euro, and weights converted to kgs. If you are travelling on a code-share (e.g. Lufthansa ticket but United planes), it’s best to assume the most restrictive fees and weight limits will apply. The weight limits are often the most difficult to figure out, so definitely double-check these before heading to the airport. If there is a standard checked bag fee, that has been added in already (e.g. American is $50 + $100 bike fee).

If you’ve had other experiences or better information, please let us know in the comments.

“This point of view—faster than a walk, slower than a train, often slightly higher than a person—became my panoramic window on much of the world over the last thirty years—and it still is. It’s a big window and it looks out on a mainly urban landscape. (cont….)”

—David Byrne, writes in an excerpt of his new book, Bicycle Diaries.

Planning Ahead

1. Inventory – Know what you have, what you need, and where you have holes in your product line. Run sales reports if you can, but make sure to talk to your customers and see what they’re interested in. There’s nothing worse than stocking items you think are cool but your customers hate.
2. Set Goals – Whether it’s just you, or the gang’s all here, create a specific set of outcomes that relate to improving your business when you return. It could be as nuts-and-bolts as renegotiating a deal with a vendor to improve cash flow, or as hip as creating a photoblog to keep your customers up on the latest gear.
3. Schedule – Talk to your reps beforehand and set up specific meeting times. Organize the most important meetings first, 2-3 per day. Then, fill in with other meetings you would like to have. Remember to leave plenty of time to run into people or browse other booths between meetings.
4. Get Your Learn On – Look ahead to see what sessions are available that answer burning questions or just look interesting. If there are fees, make sure you have clear objectives in mind to avoid wasting money. This is a chance to identify learning opportunities that can make a bottom-line difference.

At The Show

1. Pick Up Badges Early – It never fails, someone always forgets their ID or confirmation back in the room, there’s a long line at Starbucks, you get distracted by a Blackjack table… Don’t plan on picking up your badge 5 minutes before a key appointment.
2. Use Your Technology – Most phones have a camera or some sort of voice recorder, heck, a lot of them have video. Rather than try to take notes, snap a pic or make a quick recording of something you want to remember. Especially if you do video, you’re much more likely to remember why it was so important.
3. Take Real Breaks – Especially at large shows, if you never leave the show floor, your soul slowly dies. Plan for a real lunch break, and make it just before or after the big rush. Get out of the hall and go to a restaurant where it’s quiet. Your mind will thank me.
4. Wear Your Badge High (my personal pet peeve) – Why convention organizers have badges hang so low, I’ll never understand. Tie your lanyard off so the badge is near your neck; this makes it easier for others to quickly read your name and then make eye contact, improving the quality of your conversations. Better yet, wear your own nametag in addition to the badge, especially if it’s a cool conversation starter.
5. Skip Booths – At least for the first day (or 2 days, of a 3+ day show), don’t stop into booths just because they have something cool. Focus on getting your “must-do” visits and meetings done first and then go back for the cool, but not quite relevant, stuff on the last day. This is where a voice/video recorder or camera can come in handy – it’s much quicker to snap a pic of a booth you want to come back to than to write down a note. (Option 2 – bring the new kid and give them the job of finding the 5 coolest things they hadn’t seen before. You get to keep your finger on the pulse of today’s youth, and they actually accomplish something useful at their first show.)

After the After-Party

1. Relax – Trade shows seem like they should be a vacation, but in reality, they are physically and mentally draining. Whether it’s leaving the show early, or skipping an extra 1/2 day of work when you get back, give yourself some time to recover.
2. Review – Look at your goals again. Did you accomplish them? Did you try to do too much and fall flat on your face (not from drinking), or did you aim too low and find yourself wandering aimlessly?
3. Evaluate – At specific intervals after the show (say, once per quarter), evaluate whether or not your show attendance (and the goals you set) are having a positive impact on your business. This is a good time to start writing down thoughts, questions, and problems that can become your goals for next year’s show.

There’s obviously so much more I could get into, but those are some quick and easy things you can do to make the show more worthwhile than just an excuse to go to Vegas (or where-ever). A properly done show should be an investment in your business that pays dividends throughout the year.

For a long time, Competitive Cyclist has written incredibly detailed product descriptions including backstory, product details, usage instructions, and even some of the issues associated with said product. Whether or not this is a good use of their marketing effort, I’m not sure. At the end of the day, this is not the industry you get into to become rich and if those product descriptions don’t hurt sales while making it more fun to come into work, I say “Rock On!” Not terribly long ago, they also started blogging. The blog is interesting because it’s a no-holes barred stream of consciousness session. Not infrequently, they also provide much more insight into the economics of online retailers and their relationships with suppliers, importers, customers, etc. I find this really interesting and a great way of establishing a trusting, honest relationship with all of those parties.

The product description for the Campagnolo chain tool seems to break that previously established trust. Rather than their typical honest write-up, it seems they’ve applied their wordsmithing abilities in a limited fashion to Campy’s in-house product description and plopped it on the page. For a small bit like this, it seems to pass the ROI test, but in relation to their broader strategy (I assume it’s a strategy) of using content to build an honest relationship with their customers, it seems to fail.

IMHO, a typical description with the standard level of snark would have been more appropriate – something more like this (my edits in bold).

The 5.5mm width of the Campagnolo’s 11 speed Ultra Shift chains makes them the quietest and quickest shifting chains they’ve ever made. It’s also their toughest-ever chain design thanks to the retention force inherent to its Ultra Link technology. The benefits of the Record 11 speed chain are all byproducts of its narrowness, but this narrowness comes with one implication: The installation process requires an unprecedented degree of precision. While, like you, we find the $300 price tag a bit shocking, until the aftermarket manufacturers come up with their own options, this is a required add-on to any Campagnolo 11-sp purchase. We have no doubt in its quality, based on their long history of great tools (we’re thinking of the facing and chasing tools…), and therefore have no problem recommending this until such time as either Campagnolo comes to their senses and/or the aftermarket manufacturers build their own version.

Might it piss off Campy? Maybe. Will it burn a bridge somewhere? Perhaps. Is it worth it to continue and even expand their reputation as an honest dealer that has their customer’s best interests at heart. Definitely.