Network events and trade shows, such as IAAPA EXPO Europe connect people from around the world with businesses in the leisure and attractions industry. It’s an exciting time for you, as a business owner, to meet new people and reach out to those who might be interested in your product/service or could become a valuable partner. However, if you’re not prepared, it can be difficult to navigate these events on your own. In this post, we’ll discuss five steps that will help make sure you connect with industry professionals at any event you will attend!
When you’re preparing for a business-to-business event, it’s important to make sure every detail is covered. Foremost, you should focus on what your goals are and how to achieve them by preparing yourself and your team. Meeting industry professionals at events for the first time can be intimidating, but there are things you can do to get over that initial barrier.
To help you out we share five steps to connect to industry professionals at events:
Step One: Prepare yourself. Think about who will be attending the event and what they are looking for. This way, when you meet someone new, it’s easier to connect with them because you know what they do and if they are authority figures in your field. Prepare yourself physically (what you wear should be comfortable to you and appropriate for the event), but also mentally, know your goals.
Step Two: Plan ahead of time. Are the technical aspects of your booth all arranged? Then it’s time to think about a plan for social media content. Who will be filming, posting, and going live? Explore which platforms and formats are suitable to share event content on. This way you connect with professionals at the event, and also with the ones who did not attend, allowing you to build relationships that support your goals online and offline simultaneously.
Step Three: Be proactive. Walk around, connect. See what others are doing and be forward Don’t be afraid to ask questions, get the conversation going and connect with industry professionals at events. Make sure you make a good first impression with your business cards, dare to be original.
Step Four: Preparing others – make sure the people you take with you are ready too. Sometimes prepping yourself and your team mentally beforehand will help make sure your energies are aligned with each other and open to other people who are attending the event as well!
Step Five: Think about the next steps. Connecting with industry professionals at events isn’t enough, take the time after the event to follow up properly so that you can maintain a professional connection in future opportunities.
IAAPA EXPO Europe, at Fira de Barcelona in Spain
If these tips are helpful to you, please feel free to share this with anyone who would benefit from it. We are looking forward to the next event we are attending: the IAAPA Expo Europe from September 28-30, at Fira de Barcelona, Spain. Connect with Wattman World and come meet us at booth number 1-434.
