Trade shows – Is everything all set for the Houston fair?

Click on the link to listen to the dialogue “Trade shows – Is everything all set for the Houston fair?” and then do the activities below.

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Dialogue comprehension – True, False or I don´t know?

Barry thinks their market share is likely to increase. True ___ False ___ I don´t know
The upcoming trade show will take place in Dallas. True ___ False ___ I don´t know
Fred is the CFO of the company. True ___ False ___ I don´t know ___
The regional managers report to Barry. True ___ False ___ I don´t know ___

Focus on words & expressions – Find words or expressions in the dialogue that mean the same as:

a) Ready: _______________________________
b) A group of products marketed by a company: _____________________________
c) Happening soon; approaching: __________________________
d) Actively working; functioning: __________________________
e) Keep me informed: __________________________________
f) The percentage of sales of a particular product held by a company: _____________
g) Trade fair; a large event at which companies show their products to prospective customers: ____
h) Starting to understand how something works: ______________________________
i) Find a solution; solve: ______________________________
j) Show the best qualities of something: _______________________

Match the words and expressions below to the definitions

CALL OFF BOOK INTERNSHIP UP IN THE AIR HIT A SNAG

THINK BIG FEASIBLE WIN-WIN SITUATION

Uncertain; not yet decided. _______
Possible; able to be done or achieved. _______
A situation where both or all parties benefit from a deal. _______
Cancel. _______
Make a reservation; reserve. _______
Run into an expected problem or difficulty. _______
A job that a college student does for a short time in order to gain practical experience of a type of work. _______
Set high goals; have big plans and ideas. _______

Use the business vocabulary and expressions in the box to fill in the gaps in the sentences below

FEASIBLE WIN-WIN SITUATION THINK BIG HIT A SNAG

BOOK INTERNSHIP UP IN THE AIR CALL OFF

“So, what´s your take on Mike´s action plan? Do you really think it sounds ___________?”, Roy asked Jake.
“Have you _________ any _____________ with your current project so far?”, Harry asked Nicholas at the meeting.
“We´re working hard to try to reach a __________________ . We are doing our best to come to an agreement that will benefit all the parties.”, said Mr. Clark.
“Any idea why they decided to _______________ the meeting?”, Gary asked a coworker.
“You shouldn´t underestimate the market out there. You have to _____________ if you want to make your new business grow.”, Luke advised Ronald.
“As for the launch of the new product things are still _______________. Our team is working out a few kinks so we don´t know yet when we´ll be able to finally release it.”, Dave told Evelyn.
“Let´s make sure we ______________ the hotel rooms in advance. By the way, do you know any hotels close to the convention center?”, Anderson asked Jill.
Doing an ______________ is a great way to gain practical work experience.

Listen & Write & Answer – Write the questions you listen to and then choose the right answer

_________________________________________________?

a) Howard? Sure, I know who you´re talking about.
b) I might do that. Let´s see how things play out.
c) Yeah, I love this kind of event.
d) I don´t have a clue. I haven´t talked to him in the past four days.

_________________________________________________?

a) Sure, I wish I could attend it too.
b) No, I haven´t read the program yet. Have you?
c) I will, but I may show up a little late.
d) Ok, we´ll talk later then.

_________________________________________________?

a) It´s huge, about 200 square meters, I guess.
b) It´s got a great design.
c) The bigger the better, right?
d) That´s what I´ve been told.

_________________________________________________?

a) No, I haven´t heard from him yet.
b) Oh yeah, it was a great speech. I got a kick out of it!
c) I know exactly what you mean.
d) I´d love that.

Dialogue script: Trade shows – Is everything all set for the Houston fair?

Barry: Hey Fred, how´s it going?
Fred: Great! I´m actually pretty excited about our new product line.
Barry: You do sound excited! Yeah, I agree completely. I feel like we can definitely win some serious market share with the new products we´re launching.
Fred: Sure, and the upcoming trade show in Houston will be a great opportunity to showcase them.
Barry: True. By the way, is everything all set for the Houston fair?
Fred: Uh, pretty much so. We just need to work out some final details, but we should have everything up and running well ahead of time.
Barry: Sounds good. What about the new recruit? How´s he getting along?
Fred: Pretty good, I mean, he´s still getting into the swing of things, but he shows great potential and he´s a fast learner.
Barry: I´m glad to hear that. That´s really good news. Well, I have to get back to my office, I have a conference call with the regional managers in a few minutes. Keep me posted on the arrangements for the fair and let me know if you need any help.
Fred: Sure Barry, I will. Thanks!