Always Be Prepared: 12 Top Tips for Attending a Trade Show
Attending a trade show can be overwhelming for attendees. There are usually more booths to visit than time during the show so the way to be able to see everything you want or need to is by getting prepared ahead of time.
Advance preparation for your trade show should include appointments, a checklist, show floor map, and a schedule. Here are specific tips for each of those ways to prepare for the next trade show you attend.
Set appointments ahead of time
Check and see if any of your vendors only see attendees by appointment only. Make those appointments as early as possible so that you can be sure you won’t miss them and so that you can get your preferred time.
If possible choose the first or the last appointment of the day so that you can plan the rest of every day around those appointments.
If you have to make appointments throughout the day, leave time in between in case the run over and leave at least one day to walk the trade show floor.
Get a map of the show floor
Almost every trade show offers maps ahead of time so that you can plan out where each vendor you want to see is at for the most efficient plan throughout your days at the trade show.
image: http://cdn.business2community.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/medium_map.png.png
Schedule
Once you have all your appointments set, make a schedule that includes all of the vendors aisle by aisle starting from one side of the trade show floor. Refer to your schedule periodically throughout the day so that you can stay on track and see all of the vendors you want to.
While you are at it, be sure to schedule your time after the trade show is over each night. Meeting with vendors or fellow attendees for dinner or drinks after the show is great for networking.
You also should schedule in some time to do some homework each night after the show.
By homework, we mean reviewing each of the vendors you saw that day, comparing notes and compiling ideas for possible orders so that you can take advantage of trade show specials during the show rather than waiting until after it is over to place your orders.
Always schedule some extra time because you are bound to run over some appointments or might take a little longer to see something new and meet someone.
