Here is a partial list of the MSC reps who will have official representation at the upcoming conference, Nov 6-8. In my experience there are usually many others that have not taken a table but who have readily identifiable reps in attendance. In addition forum member CureMS will be leading a session!

This is from the IMSC Facebook page, with permission.

"You have heard of them or worked with them, now meet them in person at the upcoming Las Vegas IMSC conference! These reps are stars in our industry. They are taking the time to meet all of you and help with the educational process as they love our industry as much as we do.
Joseph Hashim, Rebecca Reiter- ShopMetrics
Chuck Kenerson- A Closer Look
Lisa Sica- A Closer Look
Astrid Rowe- A Closer Look
Russell, Lisa, Debbie and Maurine Wood- The Shadow Agency
Elizabeth Chicheportiche – Primo Solutions
Jonathan Przybyl – Talon Video Shopping
Kathy Hart and Leslie Jeter- Clear Evaluations
Ben Marks, Karen Marsh- Melinda Brody and Company
Steve Clark- Quantum Solutions
Julie Brandt Simbro- Ace Mystery Shopping
Donna Richardson Horwedel, Shazana Haney-Impact Marketing
Julie Strasberg- Person to Person Quality
David Hartley, Marguerite Turner- Elite CX Solutions
Dan Thomas- GreyHawk Video Solutions
Jeff Crozier, Kathy McCord- Video Shopping Pros
Hector Garnica, Katherine McGrady- TrendSource/The Source
Texas Shoppers Network- Sondra Pulford
In addition, the Nevada Labor board and the Nevada PILB will be onsite. If you have not registered yet, there is still time. "
[www.imscinfo.com]…/2016-las-vegas-imsc-conference-n…/

Hmm other than meeting Chuck K about 15 years ago and knowing Julie from ACE, I don't work with any of those companies. Of course I know Trendsource (The Trend), but I haven't done a job for them in probably 5-8 years.

This is the opportunity to meet company owners and schedulers. You get more out of this if you are positive and open to learning. Glad to see everyone!

I think SoCalMama's point was that the conference is touted as a place to meet schedulers and company owners...but when an experienced shopper looks at the list of presenters, they either find a people they already have a relationship with, or people they have no interest in developing a relationship with (and I'm just talking about the MSC staff).

Putting a positive spin on it doesn't change the fact that very little is offered at the conference for someone like SCM or myself. Not that the MSPA conference was that much better...but it was a little better.

Where was the MSPA conference?

The last MSPA event I attended was in the LA area. I think there have been others since.

I went to the QSI party at the very first IMSC conference back when Chuck was working there and gotta say that was probably the best MSing event party I've been to...but I had known him already for a long time, and conference attendance was not required to get the free liquor at that party.

The sponsor MSCs are not the only ones with schedulers or managers here.

I thought the idea was to get to meet companies that you had not worked for yet? Am I guessing it wrong that people are not interested in meeting new companies and schedulers?

After a decade, I think the companies that I don't work for are by choice, not due to a lack of exposure to them.

Let's face reality. If there's a company where MSers are clamoring to get in the door, they are probably not going to conferences to prospect for shoppers. I'm not saying that the conferences have no value. It's just more of a social outlet for me if I go. There's probably a lot to learn for newbies and a chance to get a foot in with some companies at any conference.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

After a decade, I think the companies that I don't work for are by choice, not due to a lack of exposure to them.

I agree 100%.

So you knew about the new companies before they were created? There were company reps that I met who told me they were new, there were new owners for other companies who are changing things around. If you are able to know about them before they were created, please share that secret. How did you do that?

Assuming there were brand new MSCs at the event that are not listed anywhere else, I would tend to wait for feedback on the process and payments with them before ever attempting to contract work through them. My experience has taught me to be cautious.

I understand being excited about the opportunities if you are new at MSing and want to get a foot in the door. Kudos to you if the conference allows that for you. I'm not in a place where I'm looking for more MSing work right now. I've whittled the list of companies that I work for regularly to less than 10 MSCs that I have a good relationship with. I'm always open to new companies that might be offering better assignments or pay, but I'm also going to make sure that they have a good track record before engaging them.

I had a good time. I was able to create some new relationships and reinforce other relationships. These relationships were not only with MSCs and schedulers, but with other shoppers. Sharing and learing from other shoppers is great for me.

Mystery shopping for route shoppers can be a lonely job. These conferences are good not only for learning new things but to put faces with names of the people you interact with. Also, there are people I met many years ago and some more recently that I have become friends with and have stayed with along the way. Some of us have helped each other in a pinch or to solve an issue... Sometimes just to bounce something off someone else who knows what you're talking about or need a fresh perspective. We are not islands unto ourselves. The industry is changing.

What stays the same is that we need an MS family.

It was my first time attending the conference - it was nice to meet some of you for the first time.

My sentiments exactly

I am so happy I was able to get involved in this conference before leaving Nevada. I have been helped a lot by the people I met there already. Next year I will have to drive and fly back, does anyone know the dates yet for the next one?