You may already be thinking about the industry tradeshows you want to attend next year. Attending tradeshows is a great way to keep up with industry trends and learn about new products for your spa or massage practice. We’re always delighted at the chance to meet with our customers at tradeshows to talk about the latest offerings from BIOTONE and learn how we can better serve your needs. Tradeshows seminars and conferences also offer an opportunity for continuing education courses.
Since tradeshows are an investment of your time and your budget, you want to be sure you maximize your attendance. To do so some requires planning because there may have a lot of booths you want to visit, panel discussions you want to attend, courses that you want to take, and potential partners and suppliers you hope to meet with away, possibly even for coffee or a meal away from the show floor. It’s really no wonder people return from trade shows needing a vacation.
Here are suggestions to maximize your tradeshow participation and ensure that you come back accomplishing all your “show goals.”
- Register in advance. Often, early registration is much less expensive than on-site registration.
- Decide ahead of time what booths you want to visit and organize your list. You may want to organize your list into 'must-see' and 'will see if time permits' to be sure you get to the companies most important to you.
- Get a map of the exhibit floor and plan your route so you aren't backtracking a lot. This is especially important if your time is limited.
- Determine in advance what you want to find out from each exhibitor; have questions ready. You might even want to take notes, so have pen and paper handy.
- It’s perfectly acceptable to let exhibitors know that you have limited time so that they address your questions.
- Don’t overload yourself with information. Take brochures and product information that interest you or someone else in your spa or massage practice.
- Have lots of business cards ready to leave at the booths and for networking. Networking with others at the show can be as important as visiting exhibitor booths.
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes and take breaks, including the time to get fresh air. It's draining to spend time on the tradeshow floor, and the stale, dry air has a lot to do with it.
- Take some time when you are back at your hotel or back home if the show is local to go through the information you’ve gathered while everything still is fresh in your mind.
Plan and make sure your tradeshow visit is productive.