CHALLENGER INSIGHTS Vol. 8:
IAPE Classes
A few months ago, I had a sales rep contact me because an upcoming International Association of Property and Evidence (IAPE) Property Room Management Training class in his area was closed and he wanted to see if I might be able to help him get in.
After we got him squared away in the class, it got me thinking that it wouldn’t hurt to remind new and seasoned reps about these classes and the benefits of attendance. The IAPE course is a great way to learn about the trends and challenges affecting evidence storage, and the best part is that IAPE Executive Director Joe Latta teaches all the classes. To say that Joe knows a lot about evidence storage is a severe understatement.
Learn best practices, trends, and challenges.
Even if you’ve already attended an IAPE class, think about investing the time and money to attend it again. Joe is constantly updating the course, and with specific course sections on DNA storage issues, packaging standards, handling of firearms and narcotics, purging guidelines, accreditation/certification, and many other topics, it’s a crash course on evidence management that will help you sell to this audience.
Learn from like-minded people.
The class is interactive, which means that you’ll hear from 50-75 evidence professionals who are working to preserve chain of custody and create an organized, secure space for evidence on a daily basis. All of that insight is worth the price of the course.
Expand your network.
I remember the first IAPE class I attended as a sales rep. At the end of the class, I walked out with 60 new contacts—and five people in my area that needed my help immediately. As the two-day course unfolds, you develop friendships with the other attendees—and then they start to see you differently. When they do have a need, chances are you’ll be the first person they call. IAPE also offers video classes, but I’d suggest the in-person course for the networking.
IAPE is planning classes in eight different areas of the United States over the next six months. To see if they’re planning one in your area, head to their website.
Have you taken the IAPE course? What did you take away from the course that you’ve been able to apply in your Public Safety selling? Let McKenna know at mdustman@spacesaver.com.
I go every year and I get at least 2 leads and projects from these classes.
If you give Joe enough notice he’ll let you sponsor a lunch and you can do a presentation in front of the group with photos ect.
I’m working on a project over 2 million from attending his class last year.