Message from our Founder
 

Business is as much about meeting the right people as it is about making and selling a quality product. We all need to meet the right people to do deals and get introductions. We need to meet the people from whom we can learn. And we need the stimulation of casual conversation with others who have become successful through their own efforts.

 

As a long-time small business owner I’ve met a lot of different people in a lot of different venues. From trade associations to chambers of commerce to introduction lunches of every kind I’ve certainly done my share of networking. It’s been fun, if not always, productive.

 

In the summer of 2006 I got the crazy idea that I could insure myself the opportunity to have one highly productive lunch each month by proactively making that happen rather than on relying on established groups to provide it for me. I formed Tampa Professional Sales Association to provide an experience that I believed many business owners and professional salespeople were interested in but not finding through other organizations.

 

There are three things that I want if I’m going to take time out of my workday to attend a luncheon. They are: education, conversation, and a great lunch. Simply put, I want to learn something that has practical value in my business world. I want to have stimulating conversations with people who are as successful as I am and who share a passion for the sales side of business. And I want to have a superior lunch at a fine restaurant. Tampa Professional Sales Association is designed to provide those, and only those, three things.

 

And Tampa Professional Sales Association does a great job of providing just such an experience too. We’ve accomplished that by strictly limiting whom we extend membership invitations to, holding our lunches at the world class Palm Restaurant, and choosing only those speakers who are skilled, interesting, and worthy of emulation by our members.

 

If TPSA sounds a little elitist, well, no apologies, it is. If it sounds like our luncheons are the best way a serious business owner / salesperson can spend one lunchtime a month, well, that’s true too.

MARK FITZGERALD

 
Welcome to Tampa Professional Sales Association
     

 

 

 

 

 

  
Education

Every month we enjoy an informal talk given by an accomplished Tampa area business executive. In most cases our speakers are also entrepreneurs or principals in their companies. In all cases they are directly involved in the sales process on a personal level.

 

All of our presenters are accomplished public speakers. Some are professional speakers or authors.

 

Theirs are informal talks. No boring PowerPoint. Questions and audience participation are encouraged. Topics all revolve around sales, marketing and sales management. Past topics have included: reputation, business ethics, entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial leadership, and advances in Internet marketing.

 

Our speakers have ample time (45 minutes to an hour) to cover their topic and sometimes provide the audience with handouts and other materials.

The talks are never commercial in nature. There are no appeals to do business of any kind. The sole purpose of the speaking portion of our luncheons is the educational benefit of our members and guests. 

     

 

  
Conversation
There are so many places to meet other sales professionals and so few opportunities to have relaxed conversation. Tampa Professional Sales Association is different.

 

At each meeting members and guests arrive and mingle before ordering individual lunches off of our own special menu. We then take the seats of our choosing. Each table seats six.

 

Table conversation is unstructured and unhurried. The Palm’s professional staff provides optimal service with minimal interruptions. There are minimal announcements and no annoying group, member, or guest introductions. The luncheon is carefully choreographed to provide at least 45 minutes to get to know our tablemates and enjoy their company.

 

Tampa Professional Sales Association is not a leads or referral club and there is no expectation of doing business with fellow members. That being said, members frequently report that high-quality business has resulted from relationships initiated at the luncheons.

     

 

 

  
Lunch
 
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