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Happy Returns

With experts in racquet customization and stringing on hand, the GSS Stringers Symposium can be a key investment in your business.

Whether you aspire to be the best home-based stringer in the world, want to create a retail dynasty of tennis stores or, as a teaching pro, want to provide a well-rounded operation at your facility, the Grand Slam Stringers Symposium, presented by the USRSA, can help you achieve your goals.

Regardless of your experience, you’ll find a variety of beneficial seminars, hands-on sessions and networking opportunities at the GSS Symposium, to be held Oct. 11-14 in Orlando, Fla. Attendees of last year’s event included those just starting a pro shop business, those new to stringing, teaching pros, veteran shop owners, and other industry veterans. And they took advantage of the chance to meet and mingle with some of the industry’s most knowledgeable insiders.

“The Symposium was great,” says Dustin Tankersley, a teaching pro in Texas. “I learned something in every seminar I attended, and I felt like I made a lot of connections that could help me in the future. I am definitely going to try and make it to this year’s event.”

Adds Ed Matheson of Georgia: “It was a fantastic opportunity to participate in a hands-on seminar conducted by some of the world’s finest and most knowledgeable people associated with the manufacturing, customizing and stringing of tennis racquets. It was a pleasure to have one-on-one time to discuss specific issues and establish friendships. I don’t hesitate to contact any of the attendees or team leaders for their advice. I am looking forward to the next Symposium.”

Beginners Welcome

Even beginners found plenty of learning opportunities. “Being relatively new to stringing, I expected to learn a lot, but the reality was way beyond my expectations,” says Doug Clark of Tennessee. “The instruction was great, but when added with the real-life perspectives from stringing professionals, the complete package was above and beyond.”

“As a ‘newbie,’ I was concerned that I might be getting in over my head,” says home stringer Greg Christopherson of New York. “But that was so far from the truth! Everyone made me feel welcome and made certain that I became part of the group.”

If your business sells or services racquets, or you are considering doing so, then you need to see firsthand what the Symposium has to offer. It may very well be the best investment you can make in yourself and your business. Learning new skills to create or enhance revenue streams for your business will pay dividends for years to come.

“I spent years attending the SGMA Super Show in Atlanta and the networking benefits from those trips are still paying dividends today,” says Tim Strawn, founder and director of the Symposium. “The contacts I made, the accounts established, and the learning experience all played a significant role in the growth, development, and overall success of my business today.”

By broadening your services and improving how you run your business, you will see results to your bottom line immediately. As you market your skills and separate yourself from the competition, the dividends will continue to grow.

Certification Testing

One way to set yourself apart from the competition is become certified as a USRSA Certified Stringer or Master Racquet Technician. Not only is testing available at the Symposium, but there are several seminars that will help you prepare for the test.

“After taking the MRT at the Symposium last year, which I managed to pass, I placed a small report in the local press on the Symposium and passing the test,” says Simon Jordan of the United Kingdom. “This has increased my stringing business enormously. Even traveling from the UK, the Symposium was well worth it.”

Another opportunity for learning comes with the accompanying trade show. Wilson, Alpha, Wise, and Luxilon will join other manufacturers of string, stringing machines, and diagnostic equipment. To see a full list of the seminars, seminar leader profiles and registration information, go to gssalliance.com.

Make a valuable investment in yourself and your business that will pay dividends for years to come.

From the June 2008 issue
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