Make the Most of Your Trade Show Visit

In the US, there are close to 12, 000 trade shows a year.  That’s a lot of networking, buying, learning, and let’s face it….partying. ISC West is less than 2 weeks away. It is the largest physical security show in North America featuring over 1,000 exhibitors in one place in just 3 days. 

We have been busy planning for months.  As an attendee, you certainly don’t need months of planning, but a little strategy can’t hurt.  Here are some tips for making the most of your visit:

•  Before the show, establish an initial contact with the key people you want to see.  Call or email to set up a formal introduction or a casual meet and greet in the booth.
• Have a few questions and comments planned out in advance and prioritize them just in case you get cut off or miss the opportunity to ask your second question.
• Don’t forget your business cards (a no-brainer, but it happens!) when meeting fellow attendees and exhibitors.
• If you miss a product demonstration or a speech, ask the presenter if they plan to put the information on their websites or YouTube?  Not only will you get to see what you missed, but it is a perfect reason to establish a contact.
• Introduce yourself, shake hands, and make eye contact.  You’ll be more likely to get invited to receptions or hospitality suites if you are memorable and positive.
• Don’t indulge in that happy hour so much that you miss the next morning’s demonstrations! Hangovers are never fun and even less fun when you miss out on important, relevant information.  
• Keep your customer in mind.  Think about what sort of questions they will have and the  products that meet their needs (not just the cool gadgets we all love to see and use)
• View the “My Show Planner” section of the ISC West website.   A MUST. 

                           

 When you make the most of your trade show experience you will  walk away with product knowledge, connections, and confirmation that you belong to the rewarding industry of keeping people safe.  As with all trade shows, you might leave wishing you had met that one exhibitor or kept the business card of that guy (what’s his name).    We too will have our own list of lessons learned, what to do better next time and what worked well this time.   See you next year!