Costco Roadshow Manual
Club Demonstration Services, Inc.
Costco Roadshow Information Document
For Vendors
Congratulations on your decision to be a part of one of the most exciting marketing tools in the
marketplace today!
Roadshows are one of the key ways that Vendors such as you can merchandise product in a
very entertaining way. Costco Members truly enjoy the diversity of products and the different
presentations. The urgency to buy is strong because Members know the product is only in the
location for a short period of time. Members never know what new products Costco will feature
and of course, they love tasting them!
With over 1,000,000 demos performed annually, we have relationships, we know how the
system works, and we can speak to the right people to get results immediately!
However, roadshows can be overwhelming if you don’t have access to reliable staff or
equipment, or you don’t know the Club environment. Roadshows also require a great deal of
your time and attention. There are many details to manage and coordinate. That is where CDS can
help!
Hire CDS – We Can Help You Sell Your Product!
Testimonials
Here are a few comments from Vendors who have used CDS for their roadshows:
Our 4-day event was a fabulous success. We sold out practically all sell units. Your associates
anticipated our needs and were constantly inquiring if we needed anything. I must also recognize the
Triple Point Brand Ambassador, Robert. He is without question the best Triple Point salesperson we
have trained to represent High Plains Bison.
Howard Kramer, Denver, CO
The CDS manager, Manny, was a stand up guy. He gave us his best people and came in on his day off
to make sure all his people were doing well and to inquire if we had any issues, etc. Even his boss Mike
(Regional Manager) showed up unexpected, as we were doing insane numbers and he wanted to see it
in action. Even with a blizzard on Saturday we still managed to break all records. The 4-day total for
Palermo’s Pizza was $32,970.30 in sales, with another record of $12,033.00 for one day total sales
(Friday).
Christopher R. Papa, Henderson, NV
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Costco Roadshow Manual
CDS offers a hassle-free solution. Here are a few highlights of how CDS can help you with your
roadshow. Costco requirements and more detail on how CDS can support you follows.
The Look
CDS has what you need to make your event look spectacular. We’ll provide you with all the
equipment you need to prepare and serve your product, such as convection ovens, microwaves,
trays, cups, sampling spoons, or knives. For a specially designed look, our in-house design
department can create and produce branded marketing and display materials to make your
event stand out even more.
Supervision
CDS offers supervision in every location, both domestically and internationally. You can expect
our team will be representing you in the most professional way possible for the duration of the
event.
Talent
To be a Sales Advisor of our CDS roadshow team, you are elite, hand chosen, with above
average sales, a great attitude, outgoing, enthusiastic, food safety certified, and an expert in
product sampling. CDS Sales Advisors always project a professional image, with a uniform of a
collared white shirt, black pants, and blue apron.
Additional Services
Brand Ambassador Program
Do you need a cheese expert or someone who is passionate about wine? If you are looking for
someone with a strong sales background in your particular food category, we have a pool of
salespeople we can call upon for your event.
In-House Video Training Studio
CDS can help you create a 10-minute training video in just half a day and stream it to the Costco
location or to your Brand Ambassador. Video training is one of the most effective ways to train –
product knowledge sells product! With CDS this has been proven time and time again, an
average of 3,800 demos per day!
Costco Requirements
Staffing Requirements
The roadshow must be staffed from open to close for all four days of the roadshow, and include
time to set up, break down, and cover breaks. Staff must also have a Costco membership card
and a debit or American Express credit card to purchase product, supplies, or equipment from
Costco.
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Costco Roadshow Manual
Food Certification
The staff must be food certified. Costco has zero tolerance if these guidelines are not followed.
Food Safety
Arrangements to take the food certification quiz with Costco must be made prior to the first day
of the roadshow. The Vendor or Representative must have a copy of the food certification form
on their person. Costco expects CDS to verify that all staff is certified.
Equipment and Supplies
Vendor must bring equipment and extension cords, etc. that are needed to prepare and serve
product. All equipment must be checked in and out at the receiving dock. Vendor must also
bring in supplies for serving, including napkins, plates, forks, spoon, soufflé cups, ice, etc.
Costco will not provide ice. Please note that many supplies for sampling are not carried in
Costco.
Very Important
You must notify warehouse manager of roadshow dates.
Shipping and Receiving
Vendor must make an appointment with warehouse for delivery of product into Costco
Receiving. Product must arrive one to two days before the first day of the roadshow event.
Coordinate with Costco Warehouse Manager on delivery of product/samples, space allocation,
and set up of the roadshow. Also, note details regarding the product shipment, and delivery
date and time from location to location. Mark all product and samples in large letters, for
example: SAMPLES FOR (VENDOR NAME) ROADSHOWS. Vendor is responsible for
removing any product remaining after the roadshow.
Management and Coordination
As you can see from the above, roadshows require a great deal of your time and attention. There
are many details to manage and coordinate. Again, that is where CDS can help!
Hire CDS, and WE will provide staff with food safety certification, provide
equipment and supplies, and purchase whatever is necessary.
To make your event the best possible, we need a minimum of two weeks notice. This notice will
ensure we have adequate time to understand your needs, prepare a budget, and give the field
adequate time to schedule and train the best people to sell your product.
Experience and Partnership with Costco
CDS has over 20 years experience working with the warehouse system and management. Our
Event Managers and Staff have an excellent relationship with warehouse personnel. CDS
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Costco Roadshow Manual
Regional Sales Managers will help you prepare a budget so that you can plan and budget for
staffing costs, supply costs, etc.
Sales Focus
Every Sales Advisor knows their sales goal for the day and must meet goals consistently. CDS
Sales Associates will always project a professional uniformed image, while at the same time, we
would be happy to wear a shirt with your colors and logo, a ball cap, or apron as a way to
promote your brand.
Supervision
CDS has full-time supervision in every location; we manage all the details and the staff. CDS can
operate multiple roadshows at the same time, regionally or nationally, because we have fulltime Supervisors and Sales Associates in every Costco location CDS oversees and manages.
Staffing
The CDS roadshow program is designed to provide top-notch sales associates to staff and
represent Vendors’ roadshows in each Costco warehouse in the five regions in which we
operate, which includes San Diego, Texas, Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast.
CDs will provide all of your staff needs whether you are there or not. This includes the set up
and break down every day, and the final break down at the end of the roadshow.
Equipment and Supplies
CDS will provide the equipment you need to prepare and serve your product, including
convection ovens, microwaves, trays, knives, and more. CDS will also provide all the supplies
you will need, to include napkins, forks, plates, etc.
Contact
Contact your Regional Sales Manager for additional information. They can help you create,
manage, and execute your event. Give us an opportunity to make your roadshow successful!
San Diego Region
Denise Garcia
(858) 812-1266
dgarcia@daymon.com
Midwest Region
Kathy Pickler
(630) 572-0032
kpickler@daymon.com
Northeast Region
Carmen Corsi
(703) 406-0260
ccorsi@daymon.com
Southeast Region
Jeff Ryder
(678) 473-0090
jryder@daymon.com
Texas Region
Mary Burcham
(972) 241-7572
mburcham@daymon.com
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Costco Roadshow Manual
Roadshow Photos
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