View Full Version : Techo Road Show
Hey, any you local guys going to the KOP Techo Show this Friday? I will be there if anyone is interested in grabbing a beer afterwards.
mrusk
02-03-2009, 12:07 AM
schit I didnt sign up yet for the north jersey one. Tell me how it is and let me know if its worth going!
Dreams To Designs
02-03-2009, 07:56 AM
Headed to Mount Laurel on Wednesday.
BOEPavers
02-04-2009, 01:21 AM
Went to the one in Towson, MD the other day. If you've been to a Techo show before this is the same thing. Few new products and colors, same BS from Paver Pete, really pushing their paver tools, and Pete's big thing was with the economy being the way it is was unique ways to advertise cheaply. I won't say what for the sake of those attending but some made sense to me, some didn't. Can't beat the free food, etc.
Dreams To Designs
02-05-2009, 10:42 AM
The show in Mount Laurel was very good. Pete had some decent business tips and a few new ways of marketing to try, and the new products an colors should be another thing that sets Techo-Bloc apart and above the rest. The food was good, got to meet a couple of Pro Hardscaper members and able to network with many others. Unfortunately, due to the weather, we only had about half the attendance of those that registered. Many were out plowing snow for the first time this year in South Jersey. The KOP show looks to be a big event with close to 300 registered.
Kirk
Well, I'll be there tomorrow morning. Maybe I'll see some of you there.
mark tresch
02-06-2009, 10:25 AM
Hey Kirk
Missed Mt Laurel because of the weather, we have NJ state snowplow contracts. Tell me alittle more about the Techo line. Compare and contract directy to EP Henry if you can. Thanks foro any info you can provide.
Mark
Dreams To Designs
02-07-2009, 08:00 AM
Mark, shame you missed the festivities. I was looking forward to chatting with you. Will you be available at all this week? I can stop by, if you have the time.
Kirk
I was pretty impressed with the show overall. I mean it was free, they had Paver Pete talk about real situations with examples actually from a development in our area, they provided insight into how we should be approaching this season inthe current economic conditions, nice free jacket, and apparently you can get 5 free pallets to use as a display for homeshows, etc. just for being Techo Pro. WOW! And BTW they had some nice coping and overlay system that is very innovative. I won't away the specifics, but I suggest you take a look if there's a show in your area.
HRLand
02-09-2009, 06:56 PM
I was wondering if they were coming out with something lower priced like eph did with Imperial.
Dreams To Designs
02-10-2009, 09:55 AM
So far Techo is sticking to their marketing plan and staying with premium quality products, rather than sacrifice quality. They do have some lower, more competitive products in the line now, but the majority of new introductions has been innovative products and blended colors.
There are plenty of less expensive quality products already out there in the market, most are of much less quality than they should be. There is at least one mid priced product that meets or exceeds the quality per price equation in the local market. Most folks are looking to get the value for their dollar, and the CST product made in their Pedricktown facility meets that demand. Techo-Bloc is a premium product at a premium price, but you usually get what you pay for.
Kirk
ClearValley
02-10-2009, 11:13 PM
I went to Mt. Laurel and thought it was great. I liked the free sample kits and the benefits of being a Techo-Pro. The 5 pallets...Good deal
BOEPavers
02-11-2009, 12:56 AM
As previously posted we went to the Techo road show in Towson, MD on Jan 30. Those who have attended any of these sessions have all heard Paver Pete's fabulous story regarding the surveys taken at the end of the session - "We fax these back to corporate at the end of every day and the boss reads each and every one and adresses any issues". Well as far as I am concerned that story is a bunch of crap. I filled out the survey and wrote in my contact info as Techo conveniently didn't provide a place for such and also wrote that I would like to be contacted. It's now 11 days and several seminars later and I've yet to hear a word from anyone at Techo. Wonder what happened - President of Company on extended vacation, fax machine ate my survey, faxes to Canada take longer than the US Mail, only 100% positive surveys are faxed???? I don't mind it taking a while to be contacted. I do mind the exaggeration that obviously takes place and it begs the question as to how much more of the Seminar hype is exaggerated and to what extent. I think they really need to tone down the "pep rally" atmosphere and present a more straight forward business type meeting. Don't get me wrong, there were many good things brought out in the meeting, Techo products are good, albeit expensive in our area, but the delivery could be better and don't make statements that aren't factual.
cgland
02-11-2009, 11:39 AM
that's paver pete for ya! He did the same thing with belgard
clipfert
02-11-2009, 05:17 PM
BOEPAVERS
Over the past few years the President of Techo was always present at the road show as well as all of the reps and of course Paver Pete. I recently went to the show in Bethlehem on 2.10.09 and he was there. If you had something that important why didn't you ask at the show???:baby:
BOEPavers
02-11-2009, 06:17 PM
Clipfert,
1) he wasn't there
2) issues weren't so important that they had to be answered there, but were important enough that I wanted to discuss them with him and not Pete or the reps who I know were there. Pete used the process as part of his lecture, I followed it, they didn't.
3) more disturbing is that they try to portray themselves as above all the competitors and they have issues as well.
ClearValley
02-11-2009, 08:40 PM
Clipfert,
1) he wasn't there
2) issues weren't so important that they had to be answered there, but were important enough that I wanted to discuss them with him and not Pete or the reps who I know were there. Pete used the process as part of his lecture, I followed it, they didn't.
3) more disturbing is that they try to portray themselves as above all the competitors and they have issues as well.
Curiously, are the issues product based?
BOEPavers
02-13-2009, 10:17 PM
Some are product related (packaging, etc., no quality issues), some are distributor related, some related to the seminar, etc. I was looking to discuss those questions on the survey where my response was to the negative side of the middle. In all honesty its been so long if I were to receive a call today I wouldn't be able to remember all of the issues I had unless the caller had my survey in front of him.
MuirView Design
02-15-2009, 08:57 PM
I forgot I snapped I pic while I was there. Here's a little preview for those who haven't gone yet. An extra .50 cents a SF just for them to make the video at the beginning of the seminar.
Harmony Design Group
02-15-2009, 10:22 PM
I went to the Techo Road show in NJ the other day. I thought the best part were the West Virgina jokes. Anyway the marketing info Pete went over was great. Really gets me thinking about my presentations and having a plan in place when I go to a clients home. I will look over my note and post the best marketing tips for those who did not attend.
Mbella
02-15-2009, 11:32 PM
I don't follow car racing....so I have to ask, is that a real race car?
As previously posted we went to the Techo road show in Towson, MD on Jan 30. Those who have attended any of these sessions have all heard Paver Pete's fabulous story regarding the surveys taken at the end of the session - "We fax these back to corporate at the end of every day and the boss reads each and every one and adresses any issues". Well as far as I am concerned that story is a bunch of crap. I filled out the survey and wrote in my contact info as Techo conveniently didn't provide a place for such and also wrote that I would like to be contacted. It's now 11 days and several seminars later and I've yet to hear a word from anyone at Techo. Wonder what happened - President of Company on extended vacation, fax machine ate my survey, faxes to Canada take longer than the US Mail, only 100% positive surveys are faxed???? I don't mind it taking a while to be contacted. I do mind the exaggeration that obviously takes place and it begs the question as to how much more of the Seminar hype is exaggerated and to what extent. I think they really need to tone down the "pep rally" atmosphere and present a more straight forward business type meeting. Don't get me wrong, there were many good things brought out in the meeting, Techo products are good, albeit expensive in our area, but the delivery could be better and don't make statements that aren't factual.
No offense, but 11 days isn't a whole lot fo time to go through all the surveys. And this is a busy time for shows, not just Techo Road show, but in general. I wouldn't base your opinion of how Paver Pete came across, but how the company has responded to industry changes and how thye back their product. Just my 2 cents.
I was wondering if they were coming out with something lower priced like eph did with Imperial.
They actually made it a point to say they are not cutting back on coloring etc. nor will they offer an inferior product. I personally don't see how Imperial saves a substantial amount of money in any project unless it is a commercial application. But then again, I don't think I would want to install a product that isn't colored through to begin with.
Some are product related (packaging, etc., no quality issues), some are distributor related, some related to the seminar, etc. I was looking to discuss those questions on the survey where my response was to the negative side of the middle. In all honesty its been so long if I were to receive a call today I wouldn't be able to remember all of the issues I had unless the caller had my survey in front of him.
These must have been pretty important issues then huh? Good thing you wrote them down!:pound:
Dreams To Designs
02-16-2009, 10:10 AM
Mike, yes it is an actual car used in regional races, not Nascar, but one of the minor leagues. They have a deal with the owner that does not use the car in the winter. It will be back on the track come spring.
Kirk
Dountman
02-27-2009, 05:03 PM
Man that Paver Pete can talk. Went today and boy is Techo dropping some bills on these showcases.
MuirView Design
02-27-2009, 06:53 PM
Man that Paver Pete can talk. Went today and boy is Techo dropping some bills on these showcases.
For sure. Dude's a few cuss words shy of being an infomercial.
What did you think of the permeable paver installation video? Does anyone know if that's available to contractors?
bigvictu
02-27-2009, 08:05 PM
ICPI has some spec sheets and power point presentations on permeable pavers on their site now. They also have a webinar that's like $45.00 on the installation process.
BOEPavers
02-28-2009, 01:08 AM
We received a copy of the Permea Installation Video at the seminar we attended. It was on the CD with the Monumental Blok and a bunch of other segments. Had them on a table at the front of the room for all to pick up. If you didn't get one your local dealer should be able to get you one.
Yeah, I picked up a copy of the video they showed us at the show Adam. And also another video which also has some additional information on it as well. How useful! I was very impressed with the Techo Bloc presentation overall.
MuirView Design
02-28-2009, 09:37 AM
I'll have to see if I can get one from one of the reps. I thought they were going to have the DVD in the box they gave us with all the other techo stuff. I didn't realize till I got home that there wasn't. I thought the video was really informative.
WoodwardsChris
02-28-2009, 02:46 PM
Adam:
I should be able to get you a copy of my disc or get some from TB.
I am also going to run a Permiable paver seminar May 21 from 4:30-6:30. TB will be running the seminar.
mrusk
02-28-2009, 02:52 PM
I would rather see techo's products sold at a lower price then have these fancy shows. I did not go this year. Its same stuff every year. Its not like there new products are so innovative that they need to explain them to us.
I do not think the sample kits are that great. Its hard to really get a feel for a color from just a 2x2 inch sq. And I got enough Rusk shirts, I dont need 40 techo shirts. I give the shirts to my guys or out to friends. How many techo shirts does a guy really need?
What I REALLLY don't like is being in the room with every contractor in a 50 miles radius.
I would rather pay a few cents less per a sq ft! Anyone else feel this way?
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