Ingersoll Rand-Athens manufactures power and pneumatic hand tools for the consumer and commercial markets for automotive and heavy industrial uses.  The site is approx 100,000 square feet.

Ingersoll Rand invited 60 Distributors from Canada, the U.S. and overseas to the Southern Pines Operation for the Distributor Fluid Forum meetings and a tour of the plant.  The group arrived on buses on Monday afternoon at 1 PM for an opening meeting.  We arrived at 11 am to set up all the PlantTours equipment for the 2:00pm tour.

I-R staff ordered receivers and headphones for 5 groups of 12 distributors in each tour.  We pre-programmed and labeled the groups A-E.  One guide led each group through 6 stops on the tour of the plant.  At most stops, one-two presenters were stationed with visual aids, posters, samples, etc. to present the technical information regarding that product, process stage and give a description of any updates with products and manufacturing  methods.

PlantTours handled the tour guide equipment logistics for the plant staff and groups and set up all the equipment in the employee cafeteria.  We separated the equipment by group (A-E) for quick and easy distribution.  Ingersoll-Rand chose the Moderate Noise/Behind-Head headphones for light noise reduction for each guest;  some areas of the shop are somewhat noisy.  After their opening comments by the Plant Manager ended at 1:45pm, each distributor was equipped with safety shoes and glasses.   They were then led to the equipment distibution tables and the uniformed PlantTours Reps issued them their receiver and headphone and they were then gathered by group by each assigned guide. It took about 15 minutes to issue all the receivers and headphones to the distributors.

Each guide did a quick sound check and each group was assigned a tour route that began on a Shotgun Start, so they rotated every 5-10 minutes.

Ingersoll Rand used this tour to update their distributors on product enhancements and new time-saving processes and changes.  They used Hand-Held microphones so each guide could pass the Mic to the Presenter at each station for their portion of the tour.

All tours were completed by 3:45pm.  No additional service or assistance was needed.

A wrap-up summary meeting closed the event at the plant and the PlantTours Reps packed up all the equipment and removed it from the facility to conclude our service to Ingersoll Rand in Southern Pines.

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MAPEX USA held their annual Trade display at the NAMM show for their dealers and Reps at Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA.  Approximately 60 of Mapex Drums dealers and sales reps attended the pre-show review of new products and programs for 2010 prior to the opening of the show event.  The program allows the officials of Mapex to present product lines to showcase the features, benefits and technical information to assist the reps and dealers in the sales promotions process for 2010.

The challenge that Mapex has faced in the past is the constant ambient noise from a large Convention Center with high ceilings and no accoustics.  As the Reps and Dealers rotate through the display area, no one could hear the speaker present the information.  The pre-show meetings had become completely counter-productive and unsuccessful.  None of the participants could hear, so they wandered and did not absorb any crucial information regarding the products they were preparing to spend the next year selling.

Mapex came to PlantTours to solve the problem.  Our experience with tradeshows and this type of exhibit venue equipped us to present a detailed service for the ideal solution.   Our Service Rep arrived at the exhibit hall the night prior to the first day of the event to set up.  We arranged all the receivers and headphones in their display and tested each unit that was programmed to match the hands-free microphone that the product reps used for their presentations.  Over the next two days, 2 groups of up to 50 Mapex Reps and Dealers clearly heard all the information regarding new products and sales programs.  Our Service Rep was in place to handle any service needs throughout the display area.

Client comment as session was underway-“Magnificent!” and several of the Reps told us after the event what a huge difference the system made in the experience, education and benefit for all participants.  In addition, the speakers were refreshed and comfortable and the schedule was precise, on time and a total success.

Following the conclusion of the Day #2 of the show, our Service Rep handled the process of packing and removing all the equipment from the Exhibition Hall.  The client told us that the system was a great success and that they looked forward to having us handle their show again in 2011.

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Ranger Boats has been manufacturing premium custom fishing boats since 1968.  The site includes several  buildings on a multi-acre site.

Ranger Boats invited 600 boat dealers to Flippin for their annual Advantage Tour which includes meetings, sales seminars, on-the-water tests and tours of the plant and operations.  The dealers arrived on Wednesday and Friday mornings for the split schedule.  4 PlantTours Service Reps arrived on Tuesday at 5:00pm to set up all the PlantTours equipment for the next morning’s tour.

They ordered receivers and headphones for 4 groups of 75 dealers in each tour.  We pre-programmed and labeled the groups 1, 2,3, and 4.  One guide led each group through 6  stops on the tour of the plant.  At most stops, a presenter was stationed with visual aids, posters, samples, etc. to present the technical information regarding the stage of each boat’s production, process stage.  The presenters and guides provided a description of all updates of  products and manufacturing  methods.  The president and founder of the company were also present to deliver remarks.

PlantTours handled the tour guide equipment logistics for the plant staff and groups and set up all the equipment a separate display and seminar building.  Ranger Boats chose the Moderate Noise/Behind-Head headphones for light noise reduction for each guest; few areas of the manufacturing area are high noise.  After their opening comments by the Vice President of Sales ended at 7:30am and each participant was equipped with safety glasses they were issued the receiver and headphone and were gathered by group by each assigned guide. It took about 20 minutes to issue all the radios and headphones to the dealers.

Each guide did a quick sound check and each group was assigned a tour route that began on a Spaced Start, so they rotated through each tour stop every 5 minutes.

Ranger Boats use this annual meeting and tour to update their dealers on new boat enhancements and competitive features.  The guides used Hand-Held microphones so each guide could pass the Microphone to the Presenter at each station for their portion of the tour.

All tours were completed by 11;45am.  No service or assistance was needed.

A wrap-up summary meeting and comments from management concluded the event at the plant.

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The Trade Show is held in the Exhibit Hall with 12 individual display areas.  Each area if piped and draped to provide visual separation, bu the challenge that Aaron Rents has faced is the constant ambient noise from 12 loud P.A. Speakers blaring at the same time.  As the groups rotate through each exhibit, no one could hear the presenter in their assigned area.  The shows had become completely counter-productive and unsuccessful.

Aarons came to PlantTours to solve the problem.  Our experience with tradeshows and this type of exhibit venue equipped us to present a detailed plan to provide each exhibitor and attendee/participant with the ideal solution.   Our crew of Service Reps arrived at the exhibit hall the night prior to the first day of the event to set up.  We moved all the equipment into the Exhibit Hall, placed a receiver and headphone on each chair in each exhibit area and tested each unit programmed to match the hands-free microphone placed on the table at the front of each display for the product reps to use for their presentations.  Over the next two trade show days, 14 groups of 70 Aaron Rents Managers were assigned 20 minute time slots to rotate through the exhibits.  Our Service Reps were on hand to straighten up the areas and replace the headphones and receivers during the rotation turns of the schedule.

Instead of a constant noisy cacophony of sound, the client told us how shocked he was at “how quiet everything was”.  With our system in place, even among nearly 1000 people in one large area, all that could be heard during the presentations was the low murmur of the presenters speaking in normal voice tones into their microphones.  So according to the client’s comments, not only could all the attendees easily and clearly hear and learn the material presented, they were not fatigued by constant loud ambient noise.  In addition, the speakers were refreshed and comfortable and the schedule was precise, on time and a total success.

Following the conclusion of the Day #2 of the show, our Service Reps handled the process of packing and removing all the equipment from the Exhibition Hall.  The client told us that the service was hassle-free, turn-key and that they looked forward to having us handle their show in Dallas, TX in 2010.

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Aurora Pumps / Pentair WaterIn January, the Pentair North Aurora Operation hosted 80 independent distributors visiting Chicago for the AHR Trade Show and Convention (world’s largest AC/Heating show) for sales seminars and a tour of the plant.  As the group was scheduled for breakfast and a morning meeting, followed by a 10:30 tour, the PlantTours staff arrived at 8 a.m. to set up and quality test equipment.

The client’s pre-tour assessment determined they would need receivers and headphones for 8 groups of 10 distributors in each tour for optimal performance.  We recommended High Noise/Behind-Head headphones for maximum noise protection as several stops along the tour are high-noise areas.  The equipment was pre-programmed and labeled to prevent channel conflict if the groups passed one another en route. Two service representatives were assigned to handle equipment logistics for the plant staff and their groups. The pre-labeled equipment was organized in the break room, separated into groups for quick and easy distribution.  Each guide brought his/her group of into the break room, were issued equipment, which took about 15 minutes.

Aurora Pumps / Pentair WaterEach guide did a quick sound check, the distributors gave the thumbs-up and they were ready to go by 10:50.  Each group was assigned a tour route that began on a Shotgun Start, so groups rarely passed one another.. One guide and an assistant lead each group through 10 stops with visual aids, posters, and samples to present the technical information regarding that product, process stage and give a description of any changes in the production process.  The guides used Hand-Held microphones so they could pass the mic to the presenter at each station for their portion of the tour.

Everything went smoothly, the guides answered many questions from the distributors as well as provide updates on product enhancements, new processes and credit and shipping practices.  We monitored the tours throughout the plant by constantly moving from group to group.  No service or assistance was needed.

Aurora Pumps / Pentair WaterWe relocated the equipment tables and prepared for collection at 1:00pm. At 12:50 the first group arrived to return their receivers/headphones and by 1:15, all groups were in the break room, having lunch, ready to resume their afternoon meetings at 2:00pm.

As the PlantTours staff packed up the equipment, we were pleased when Pentair Water’s VP-Sales told us they would be booking us for a large meeting/plant tour for their Dealer Network in the first week of June.