Looking Forward to NIFDA 2019 in Cincinnati

What do you do to improve your business? Read books? Listen to webinars or podcasts? Take classes at your local chamber or Small Business Development Center?

Personally, I find it extremely difficult to take time away from work to actually work on my business as a whole. The one time a year I can guarantee I will spend time on my business is at the National Independent Flag Dealers Association (NIFDA) convention.

What is NIFDA?

Every year I travel to NIFDA , a three-day conference in a different city each year. This is the one time of year I can remove myself from the day-to-day and fully focus on Custom Flag Company.

The convention includes teachings from professional speakers about a variety of topics that surround the flag industry. Because a majority of people attending the convention are also small business owners, there are also speakers who provide workshops. These speakers give their professional input and present all attendees with the opportunity to apply the information to their business. I always come back with something to implement in my own business.

Almost every flag dealer and supplier attend NIFDA because it is the one time a year where personal relationships can be built to potentially gain new customers or suppliers. The benefit for us is the new product offerings the suppliers have, which we can then present to our customers. The most insightful portion of event is networking with fellow flag company owners. I know people that are teachers or bankers and they always run across people that are in the same industry. I never, literally never, run into someone that sells flags and flagpoles. The opportunity to listen and learn from flag company owners is invaluable.

Over the years, the members of NIFDA have become true friends. People that understand me, my pain points, and my celebrations. I am looking forward to this years convention in Cincinnati starting next week!