May 15, 2017

An industry trade show is a gathering of some of the best and brightest minds that the industry has to offer. It is also a great opportunity to network and grow your business or brand. Here are five simple reasons why you need to attend more trade shows.

1. Networking super centre

A trade show is all about networking. Brands and businesses send their “A-Team” to industry trade shows because their businesses depend on the ROI from these events. It’s not typically cheap to secure a table or display at one, so businesses are typically all in with their best personnel. This allows you to meet the right people, make the right connections, and get the correct answers to your questions.
You are the one attending the trade show. Come up with a plan on the type of networking you want to accomplish. If you want to partner with a company that carries a specific product or service, seek them out. Want to find new products to sell? Walk around and see what products catch your eye and then speak with the representatives at those stations. You are in control when you attend a trade show, be efficient and targeted in your efforts.

2. A revenue growth opportunity

Have you ever not gone to a trade show because you don’t want to be sold things you don’t need or want? You can’t let those obstacles get in the way of a chance to grow your business. An industry trade show is a gathering of many of the people and businesses that are important in your niche. Where there are people looking to do business, there will always be opportunity to grow your business.

One of the main networking strategies is to focus on business growth. Once you meet someone and get past the introductions, head right for the goal. Begin speaking about ways to work together to better each other’s businesses or brands right away. Figure out a way you want help each other grow your bottom lines.

Even if it involves you purchasing a product or service, make sure to talk about revenue. How will this product make or save me money? How will this service save me real dollars? Asking revenue driven questions will put representatives on the spot and make them give real answers that you need.

3. A brainstorming exercise

Would you like to know what your industry is doing these days? A trade show is an excellent place to find out. Let your eyes wander and take notes on what catches your eye. Write down cool new products and services. Take pictures of quality marketing materials. Keep an eye out for good ideas for swag and branding materials.

You can then take these notes and pictures to your own team and let the ideas of others inspire your ideas of the future. Make a better wheel. Become inspired by the talent in your industry.

Stay current

A goal of most businesses is to stay up to date on the current available technology. This technology is always advancing, and new products and tools are available nearly every day that can make our business better and more efficient. The best way to hear about these new advancements is through word of mouth or advertisements. Why not take care of both in one place?

The trade show is one of the primary places new technology will present itself to the market. Don’t miss out by missing out on a trade show. You never know when you will find something there that will make your life easier or more profitable.

Embrace education

Almost all industry trade shows include seminars. Many of these seminars are useful to anyone in that industry. It’s up to you to pick and choose, but attending the right seminar can give you ideas or ways to make your business better. Even better, record (video or audio) seminars to listen to later with other employees.

Knowledge is power, and learning from industry experts is a great way to expand your horizons and become the expert you need to be. There’s always a way to become a better brand or business, and some of those ways are revealed by the experts at your industry trade show.

This article was first published as a blog by CapitalTristate, an electrical distributor in the U.S. Mid Atlantic.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net.