Virtual Meetings and Continuing Education

By ATAS International Inc.

Maintaining a personal “touch” at a safe distance.

At ATAS International, a manufacturer of architectural metal building products, much of our product reps’ time during pre-pandemic days was filled with in-person meetings and sales calls.  We would often meet with architects and designers, to assist in the selection of an appropriate product for their project.  Meetings with specifiers aided in the proper specification of products.  Providing guidance with installation concerns was a regular occurrence, and meeting with our network of distributors happened daily.  Delivering education about our products, systems, and services to all types of design and construction team members was an important role of our outside sales employees.

A common means of providing education was via the “Lunch and Learn,” where our product reps would provide lunch, which would be eaten during an educational presentation on a variety of topics.  For architects, specifiers, engineers and consultants, oftentimes professional continuing education credits were earned during the presentations.  Other presentations were more product specific, which were of interest to the contractors and distributors, to learn how our products were installed and how they compared to other building materials.  Since the in-person educational sessions are mostly on hold for now, we have moved to offering these education sessions virtually.  Even prior to the pandemic, many manufacturers were offering some form of on-demand online education, in addition to their in-person sessions.  For most manufacturers, presenting during webinars has become even more important, especially if the webinar is hosted by a third-party who has the power to promote the event to a wider audience than the manufacturer would typically have access to on their own. 

Creativity has been paramount when delivering online education and hosting networking meetings.  Many chapters of the design and construction associations initially struggled when they could no longer hold their networking, social and educational events in-person.  Trade shows and conferences have also been quashed for 2020.  Those more dynamic chapters quickly found ways to meet virtually and maintain connections eye-to-eye via the internet.  Virtual happy hours, trivia games and even scavenger hunts helped to keep us humanly connected, while providing an appreciated relief from the 24/7 COVID conversations.  Even education sessions strive to be more engaging and interactive, by incorporating poll questions and text chatting to pose questions. I have heard from several architects and specifiers that they are being inundated with offers of virtual lunch and learns, webinars and online conferences. Therefore, webinar topics became more unique and presenters were more engaged, with all of us striving to set ourselves apart while creating a personal connection with the attendees. 

What is key, now more than ever, is that we make ourselves available to those who need our assistance, whether for education, help with a project, or for product information.  Before, when traveling via the road or air, when many meetings were taking place each day, it was sometimes challenging to be as responsive to inquiries as we would have liked.  Now that the traveling part of our days has been greatly diminished, we have more time to focus on promptly providing the attention and service to our customers, and to the design and construction team members.  Actual phone calls (versus emails and texts) seem to be increasing, as many people are yearning to hear someone’s voice, if they cannot see their face.  Relationships are still very important to maintaining and obtaining business, and even without the physical presence, we can still provide the assistance and guidance that is requested of us, in a timely manner.  Even if our product does not end up being the right fit for their current project, we will be remembered as someone who was helpful and responsive, and chances are, we will be one of the first contacts for their next project.

Whether we like it or not, in the past few months, our meetings and education sessions have been happening virtually.  Gone are the days of shaking a hand, sitting across the desk or table from someone, or grabbing a cup of coffee or a meal together.  Thankfully, today’s technology made the transition to virtual meetings somewhat painless, however, it is still not the same as physically sharing an actual space with someone.  I must say though, that due to virtual meeting platforms, it really has “humanized” the meeting experience by getting a peek into a colleague’s or customer’s real life; the life they live away from their corporate office or place of business.  It is quite amusing to see a toddler’s head pop up during a virtual meeting or see someone’s cat walk across the laptop’s keyboard while an important point was being made.  Those moments of humanity remind us that we are all trying to do our best to maintain not only our businesses, but more importantly, our families, relationships and homes during this challenging time.  I had the pleasure to attend a virtual baby shower for an association committee chairperson early into this pandemic, and then just recently, attend a virtual meeting, with that newborn baby present, asleep on his mother’s shoulder; proof that life goes on.  In my opinion, COVID-19 has taught us many things: to slow down a bit, realize what is important and recognize that we are all in this together. 

To schedule a virtual meeting with an ATAS product representative – https://www.atas.com/request-a-virtual-meeting

To view the ATAS education courses and to schedule a virtual education session – https://www.atas.com/request-a-seminar

About ATAS International, Inc.

Founded in 1963, ATAS International, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of metal roofing, wall cladding, ceilings, perimeter edge metal, and accessories. The ATAS portfolio features an expansive selection of products available in aluminum, steel, zinc, stainless steel, and copper. Standard profiles include narrow and wide ribbed wall panels, corrugated styles, standing seam and batten seam roof systems, metal shingles, shakes, tiles, and more. Additional options include curved, tapered, and perforated panels; concealed or exposed fasteners; smooth or embossed textures; horizontal and vertical applications; and a choice of over 35 stock colors with 70% PVDF finish.

With sustainability at the forefront of modern building design, ATAS proudly supports green building objectives with high performance solutions, such as solar-ready roof panels, insulated metal panels, ENERGY STAR® qualified cool roofing products, and solar air heating wall panels. The ATAS team consists of product and market specialists that provide a high level of support for your project, from initial discovery and design to installation. ATAS has three ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing locations in the United States: two in Allentown, PA, including the headquarters, and one in Mesa, AZ.  For more information at ATAS International, please visit www.atas.com or call 610.395.8445.