Alumni Reviews

"I can't say enough good things about TSBC! It is a shining beacon of light in the uncharted waters of the world of trade shows! Katie has truly though of everything - all topics that eventually come up as you're preparing for the show are covered explained, and if for some reason that still leaves you with more questions (maybe it's about a particular setup, or a special unique case or problem), TSBC has you covered with the invaluable private facebook group where all your questions will be discussed and answered by tradeshow veterans. Makes the process of getting ready and exhibiting much more assured to proceed boldly :) Thanks, Katie!" - Ursula Jaroszewicz, Pepper Press, 2012 alum

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"What you've created with Tradeshow Bootcamp is an amazing resource that just keeps on giving and teaching... from the original recordings and paper resources to the wealth of ongoing information in the alumni forum. Not only have I learned so much and made so many real-life friends from my colleagues, but I have also had the chance to share and give back. It's truly a special series filled with special people who are smart and kind." - Rebekah Tennis, Wild Ink Press, 2011-2012 alum

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"I am very honored and proud to be a speaker on TSBC. The greatest thing about being a speaker is realizing we still learn so much every time. TSBC isn't a one time, learn it all, move on type of thing. TSBC is a fluid ever evolving resource that is truly valuable to the first time attendee and the seasoned veteran. Kuddos Katie for a job well done, and a noble desire to bring our amazing community even closer. " - Amber Ellis-Seguine, Flywheel Press, 2011-2013 speaker

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"Thank the paper gods that we found Tradeshow Bootcamp & friends! We had already exhibited in a small tradeshow, but having the resources of the TSBC webinars and the in-person Paper Camp just opened up that many more doors for our wholesale operation. It's really the best info out there and proof that good things grow into their own. It has quickly become an invaluable community of our favorite industry peers and friends. Advice, resources, support--all of it comes with being a TSBC alum. Whether you're just developing your product line or have experience with wholesale accounts already, there's always something to learn from the multiple resource channels of this awesome program." - Jen Pham-Corbett, Farewell Paperie, 2012 - 2013 alum

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"I thought I was signing up for a wonderful weekend of Paper Camp in Los Angeles. I knew I was going to learn a lot. But whoa. I had no idea what a wonderful community I was getting myself into. I haven't even attended NSS yet, but already I know that Paper Camp was the single best thing I could have done for myself, for my business in advance of the show. I am working super hard but I am not panicking - which I surely would be by now without the amazing resources of Paper Camp and the ongoing support since." - Rosanna Kvernmo, Iron Curtain Press, 2013 alum

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"TSBC really helped prepare me for my first trade show experience. As a newbie there's so much to learn it can be overwhelming, but Tradeshow Bootcamp really helped take a lot of the guess work out. I also love being a part of the alumni community which allows me to ask professional advice and network within this amazing group of stationers. Worth every penny!" - Shayna Norwood, Steel Petal Press, 2013 alum

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"It's hard to say what these workshops did NOT cover. Such a great roundup of what you need to do to prepare for a tradeshow. I love that you get perspectives and insight from exhibitors who had shown for the first time, retailers, veterans, and sales reps. The facebook group allows you to stay in touch with this great community - amazing, amazing!!" - Cindy LaColla, Cynla, 2012 alum

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"Even though I've been working full-time on building my stationery business for more than four years, doing a trade show is a huge leap to make. TSBC is like having two very important things for trade show success. The first is a springboard full of information to help you launch yourself into this crazy process. The second is a security blanket made up of newbies and alumni that support you in whatever way you might need. TSBC is well worth the investment!" - Cyn Thomas, RiverDog Prints, 2013 alum

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"Knowing I was at least a year out from exhibiting at NSS, I went into the Paper Camp to get an idea of what to expect. I left with so much more than that!! I was inspired from the creative sense and motivated from the business sense by each and every person in the room. The variety of perspectives was invaluable. The entire workshop was organized, relevant and fun!! I would sign up again in a heartbeat. The network of talented people you get to be a part of as alumni is FANTASTIC - I continue to learn every day from all of them. It is so unique to be a part of a group who genuinely care about the success of all their peers... I love it! - Melissa Copeland, Franny Bee Designs, 2013 alum

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"The weekend that I spent at Tradeshow Bootcamp was amazing. Packed full of information from experienced tradeshow exhibitors, it has made exhibiting at NSS feel much less intimidating. I think one of the most valuable features is the access you get to the TSBC facebook group which has been an incredible ongoing resource of up to the minute updates, reminders and information. A great investment without question." - Sarah Hodges, Cake for Charlie, 2013 alum

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"TSBC was like a comforting best friend that held my hand in preparation for NSS, my first trade show ever. The information given made me feel prepared and ready for the big event. And it continues to help a year later. With the Facebook page, I know if I need some help with almost any biz related question, there will be someone in our community who will help. INVALUABLE!" - Liz Glasgow, The White Cabinet, 2012 alum

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"We had been thinking of exhibiting at the National Stationery Show and had walked it once, but everything about being an actual exhibitor at the show was very vague...until TSBC! Every question was answered, even the ones we hadn't thought of yet. The webinars gave us a solid foundation and we arrived at NSS as prepared as we could be, knowing what to expect thanks to the advice from the alumni on the TBSC webinars. I can't thank TSBC enough (plus, the alumni Facebook group is awesome!)." - Chantal Bennett, Papillion Press, 2011 alum

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"11,000 buyers, 800 exhibiting companies, 300 members of the press and not a nervous bone in my body -- that's what Tradeshow Bootcamp did for The Pampered Pixel's debut at the National Stationery Show." - Roxanne Davis, The Pampered Pixel, 2012 alum

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"Signing up for the TSBC was one of the best decisions we made! We were planning on attending the NSS 2012 and wanted to be sure we were going into being a first time exhibitor with eyes wide open. Because of the in-depth coverage of every detail pertaining to exhibiting, we realized we were just not quite ready. These classes are more valuable than words can express! The wisdom and insight passed on was amazing. As a bonus, we are so excited to meet our new friends in the industry at the NSS this month while we walk the show. I will be anxious to squeeze all of them tight knowing how much work and sleepless nights they put into showcasing their beautiful work! We plan on exhibiting in 2013 and taking the classes again. - Heidi Miller, Mango Ink, 2012 alum

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"Taking part in Tradeshow Bootcamp was the best investment I made in preparing for the National Stationery Show. I went into my first tradeshow feeling confident and prepared directly because of the knowledge I gained in TSBC sessions. I learned everything from the nitty gritty details of booth design and the types of questions buyers will ask to how to best market yourself and ways follow-up with retailers post-show. Katie curated an excellent series of speakers who are leaders in their respective areas. I also found the Facebook group to be an invaluable resource for asking questions, learning more about the industry, and getting to know other designers. I highly recommend TSBC to anyone considering a tradeshow in their future!" - Brannon Cullum, Happy Cactus Designs, 2012 alum

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"TSBC was single-handedly the most helpful part of my NSS planning, and I don't know if I would have maintained my sanity this long without the encouragement and insight that all the other speakers offered." Stephanie Colestock, Pink Orchid Press, 2012 alum

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"I am 110% satisfied with my decision to attend. I can't believe how much I DIDN'T know!" - TSBC 2012 alum

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"I would never have found the information I got there, even with all my googling. Wow. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and wisdom!" - TSBC 2012 alum

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"I took a leap of faith and plunked down my money to exhibit at the National Stationery Show - a first time exhibitor with a less than two year old business! Thank goodness I found Tradeshow Bootcamp. This series taught me so much, got me as prepared as I could be and helped make my first year at NSS a huge success. Thank you Katie! I couldn't have done it without you!" - Liz Glasgow, The White Cabinet, 2012 alum

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"Thanks for a great Spring 2012 TSBC teleconference series as well as the LA Intensive Workshop! It is evident a lot of time and energy has been put into these, very appreciative of your organization & knowledge." - Lindsay Kath, Branch & Cotton, 2012 alum

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"Thank you for the program. Like all of us, I'm spending a ton on this booth and am trying to save where I can, but I didn't hesitate for a moment when deciding to take the program and I wasn't in the least disappointed" - TSBC 2012 alum

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"Thanks for all the great info! I learned more than I could have imagined. I definitely feel like I can go into my first NSS prepared!" Megan Mulloy-Huhn, Cardaroos, 2012 alum

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"The details on the preparation of the booth I think was invaluable. They gave tips on things to avoid, be prepared for, items you will need, a long don't do list but in a tone that was positive and reassuring that something will go wrong - but go with the flow!" - TSBC 2012 alum

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"I learned SO much from each and every workshop and appreciated the ability to get "inside" info about the logistics behind doing a tradeshow, the freedom to ask questions to experts, and the opportunity to network with other designers and professionals in the industry!" - TSBC 2012 alum

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"Tradeshow Bootcamp has been such an invaluable resource to me during the past year! I’m so thankful for the speaker’s approachable nature and the savvy bootcamp classes. Thank you thank you!" – Catherine Polacek, Printerette Press, 2011 alum

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"TSBC was extremely valuable for a first-timer like myself to learn the nitty-gritty details about how to actually participate in a tradeshow - like cost, time, what goes into set-up - rather than just the generics you hear ("Oh, it's a lot of work, but worth it!"). I also felt a strong sense of community - that the participants were willing to support one another through the sharing of experiences and it was okay to ask questions, even dumb ones!" - TSBC 2011 alum

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“I learned so much from this Bootcamp. I will be signing up again, since I mainly took the last one to gain general procedural info, and now might actually take the dive for 2012. Highly recommend and feel it made me so much more aware of not only the NSS, but of the wonderful & helpful folks in the Greeting Card industry. THANK YOU for putting this together.” - Katie Daniels, Concrete Lace, 2011 alum

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"This was so great and I'm so glad I found out about TSBC. The NSS is daunting from a first-timer perspective and after the workshops I feel prepared and much more confident. Thank you!" - TSBC 2011 alum

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“5 stars! I signed up for TSBC not knowing what to expect. After session 1 i was sold! The dial in sessions were so helpful and the opportunity of the question and answer at the end were a nice surprise. To top it all off, the Facebook page offered a nice platform for the conversations to continue. It is nice to know that when your in a pinch and need someone to offer advice or guidance, they are just a click away. I highly recommend TSBC to all exhibitors, new and seasoned! ” - Shelley Seguinot, Im Inkpressed, 2011 alum

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Tradeshow Bootcamp is one of the best tools I used to prepare for the National Stationery Show. No one is trying to sell you products or make you anxious about the rules. These are real life exhibitors who have been there and know what it's like to worry about walls and buyers. They give you real life tips that made me feel prepared and confident to answer various questions. What other seminar offers the point of view of top buyers and bloggers? Where else can you learn the ins and outs of putting a booth together without someone selling you something you really don't need? Katie has a great approach to each seminar and everything is organized extremely well. One of the best parts is that after each seminar you receive notes with resources and even a recording of the call. I found this extremely helpful as I prepped late into the night and could refresh my memory with helpful insight and tips! - Claudia Smith, Fig. 2 Design, 2011 alum

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”this was AWESOME! it was so incredibly helpful to hear candid insight and experiences from our peers that have been thru the whole thing before. i highly recommend signing up for the next one if katie decides to do another series! she did a fantastic job of selecting exhibitors and retailers with the inside scoop and relevant info to share. the calls went super smooth and always got extra time for all of our crazy questions! love it and definitely recommend to anyone considering exhibiting!” - Robyn Wehab, Meant To Be Sent, 2011 alum

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