* required field
Bonus Gift

44 Ways to Stay Connected and Be Remembered. Find out how you can make your networking work with our FREE Guide.
We promise to never sell, rent, trade, or share your email with any other organization.

Claim Your Free Subscription Now!

Each month our ezine features networking and business articles to help you connect with professionals, build relationships, and grow your business.

 

Networking Article from Networking Today Canada, Nat'l

Recent Articles from Cities Across Canada

30 Quick Tips to Help You When Visiting a Tradeshow

Author: Susan A. Friedmann, CSP
Date: Sep 2004

Exhibitors often have to reverse roles and find themselves on the other side of the aisle playing tradeshow attendee. According to a CEIR (Center for Exhibition Industry Research) study, 39% of attendees spend less than eight hours visiting a show. As with exhibiting, planning and preparation are essential to maximizing time on the trade show floor. The following 30 points will help to simplify the process next time you find yourself playing visitor.

Before the Show:

  1. Know what you want to achieve by visiting the show and if the company is sending you, understand what your boss wants you to achieve by attending the show.

  2. Develop a plan of which exhibitors you want to visit and then organize your list into two parts – “must see” and “want to see” companies.

  3. Decide how much time you want to spend at the show and then at each booth. Allow extra time for browsing, distractions, and waiting in lines.

  4. Find out who else from your company is going to the show and develop a plan to maximize your visit, especially at large shows.

  5. Know what information you need to have from each exhibitor. Research different vendors to find out how they differ and what is most important to you. Then plan intelligent questions to ask them.

  6. Design a lead gathering form to research for specific products/services to make accurate comparisons.

  7. Make appointments with exhibitors you really want to meet with.

  8. Get map of where exhibitors are located and prioritize your route.

  9. Take plenty of business cards to avoid filling out forms.

  10. Pack comfortable shoes and clothing to wear on the show floor. Walking shows is extremely tiring. Try insoles for extra comfort. Remember to leave room for things to bring back.

  11. Take a light and comfortable “carry-all” for accumulated materials. Plastic bags are often uncomfortable as they cut into your hands.

  12. Make travel and hotel reservations early to maximize on discounted rates.

  13. Stay at a hotel closest to the convention site to save on traveling and to give you a place to rest, sort through information gathered, and refocus your energy.

  14. Plan the seminars/workshops you want to attend. Split sessions with your colleagues to maximize data gathering.

  15. Pre-register for the event and arrive 30 minutes before opening to avoid standing in long lines.

    At the Show:

  16. Revise your plan at the show. The show directory and schedule often changes several times before a show.

  17. Collect information that is of interest to you or that might interest others in your company. Request literature and samples be mailed instead of having to carry them with you.

  18. Obtain a map of the city and know how to get to the convention center.

  19. Tell exhibitors you are on a tight time schedule to avoid casual chatter and get straight down to business.

  20. Look for networking opportunities. Network with industry leaders. Get invited to exhibitors hospitality suites/receptions. At workshops, introduce yourself to people around you – hand out/collect business cards. Hook up with new contacts at meal times for added information.

  21. Skip overly crowded booths and plan to come at the end of the day when traffic is slower.

  22. Check coats and bags so you don’t have to drag them around with you.

  23. Carry a pad and pen to jot down important notes, or have a small tape recorder for note taking.

  24. Take a break after a few hours to refresh and get some fresh air. Air in convention halls is dry, stale, and draining. Drink water regularly instead of pop/beer to avoid dehydration.

  25. Write a trip report as you go along and summarize your notes every evening.

  26. Be prepared to push for answers to questions exhibitors are not prepared to answer.

  27. Avoid conversations with vendors you have no interest in.

  28. Leave the show about 30 minutes before closing to avoid long lines for busses and cabs.

    After the Show:

  29. Plan how you are going to implement information gathered.

  30. Be prepared to follow-up after the show for literature and sample requests.

Susan A. Friedmann, CSP, is The Tradeshow Coach, Lake Placid, NY, working with exhibitors and show organizers to improve their tradeshow success through coaching, consulting and training. For a free copy of ExhibitSmart Tips of the Week, e-mail: susan@thetradeshowcoach.com; or visit her Web site: www.thetradeshowcoach.com.

Published in Networking Today, September 2004.



Search Articles

 in Titles
 in Content
 by Author

More Articles

May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
December 2003
November 2003
October 2003
September 2003
August 2003
July 2003
June 2003
May 2003
April 2003
March 2003
February 2003
January 2003
December 2002
November 2002
October 2002
September 2002
August 2002
July 2002
June 2002
May 2002
April 2002
March 2002
February 2002
January 2002
December 2001
November 2001
October 2001
September 2001
June 2001
May 2001
April 2001
February 2001
January 2001
December 2000
November 2000
October 2000
September 2000
May 2000
November 1999
October 1999
August 1999
May 1999
April 1999
March 1999

 

Select a City