Randy Chaffee and Wes Wyatt | 03062026
Guest | Host: Randy Chaffee
Guest | Producer / Director / Co-Host: Wes Wyatt
Episode Summary:
Randy reports live from Oklahoma City's NFBA (National Frame Builders Association) conference, sharing his road warrior routine—3:45 am wake-up calls, double alarms two minutes apart, and strategic planning that fills 80% of his calendar two weeks before any show. He and Wes explore the art and science of working trade shows versus just attending them, emphasizing "living in the industry" rather than "off the industry" through intentional networking in hotel lobbies, scheduled meetups, and leaving 20% of the calendar open for serendipitous connections. Wes provides health updates—completing cardiac rehab session 6 of 36, getting temporary crowns to replace teeth lost during intubation, and learning that his C Protein Deficiency requires lifelong blood thinners. The conversation previews their upcoming collaboration with Ben Gay III on "The Closers Volume 7," focused entirely on trade show mastery.
Key Takeaways:
- 80-20 calendar rule: fill 80% of trade show schedule two weeks in advance with solid commitments, leave 20% flexible for unexpected opportunities and hallway connections.
- Living in vs. living off the industry: working the host hotel lobby, scheduling customer dinners, and attending industry events creates exponentially more value than just "booth time" scanning badges.
- Eliminate decision fatigue with systems: double alarms (3:45 and 3:47), sticky notes for chargers in three locations, laying out a badge on a sports coat, business cards on a nightstand—remove all guesswork from morning routines.
- Cross-industry networking multiplies value: meeting authors/coaches/marketers outside your industry (Rob Anspaugh, Oak McAuliffe, Paul Boyles, Mark Gasser) breaks groupthink and imports fresh ideas from different worlds.
- Badge/ChapStick rule: forgetting your badge costs 15-20 minutes minimum, plus two team members waiting; grab ChapStick from vendor booths early because constant talking dries out lips by hour two.
Randy Chaffee:
https://www.sourceonemarketingllc.com
Wes Wyatt: