It’s that magical time of year…. No, not Halloween or Christmas, not even the annual trip to Disneyland. It’s trade show time!
Trade shows are an extremely important part of growing your business. They are filled with the latest and greatest equipment, and dozens of educational opportunities. Trade shows come in all shapes and sizes, from national level shows, to smaller regional events, to even those directed to owners and executives.
I have been attending shows regularly for more than two decades. I can’t even begin to tell you all that have learned at each show (we have bought countless pieces of iron as well). One of the biggest benefits is the networking with others in the industry. I absolutely love to talk with contractors from all over the country about their company – and I’ve learned quite a bit from how others do business.
From ConEXPO website
How to find the shows? Right here in Pavement Magazine -- the go-to source for upcoming events including large national shows and smaller regional events. Don't let the size of an event scare you away. Nothing is too big for even the beginner, and nothing is too small for even the seasoned pro. I have also posted information on upcoming shows at the ever-popular www.pavementguru.com site.
Here are some tips from a trade show veteran to make attending an event easy, enjoyable, and productive.
- Research the city and see if you can squeeze in a day or two of extra vacation time. You’ve already spent the travel dollars so taking a few extra days of R & R can be a nice break. That’s something I love to do each year. I’m known to fly in days before, and be one of the last to leave town.
- Plan to take advantage of educational classes, and for larger shows scope out various sessions in the show guide. (If you’re attending a smaller regional event where sessions don’t require tickets, plan to participate in it all of them!) Don’t be afraid to branch out, signing up for sessions about services you don’t offer or management you don’t think you need. It’s often those sessions that can have the biggest impact on your business. Bring an iPad for notes as you attend each class. You will hear from the industry’s top professionals, so the more you absorb, the better.
- Register early and secure your tickets to educational sessions as sessions do sell out. Most trade shows and conferences offer some form of “early bird” registration so be sure to take advantage of those discounts.
- Book your hotel. Often show management has secured the best rates (available only through the show’s registration), so check out the rates at the various convention hotels. Check Airbnb as well, and don’t be afraid to book directly with convention hotels or with non-convention hotels. You never know the deals you might find.
- Book your flights. Flying is getting a tad harder these days, so planning is key. Most events are near a national airport. I always suggest flying in the day prior.
- Have plenty of business cards on hand. This might be considered “old school” by some but they are still very convenient to pass along to exhibitors and new friends you meet. I also like to order some fresh company polo or T-shirts.
- Watch for free events, such as ever-popular Roundtables. Open to all, the Roundtables are moderated by an industry expert and generate questions and interactions from contractors from throughout the country. Information gleaned and even questions asked can be enlightening – and you might just meet a peer from across the country with whom you can compare business notes.
- Locate hospitality events with your favorite vendors. Often at the national shows, the top vendors will have free events that won’t let you down. In addition to free food and drinks, they are excellent ways to network with salespeople and other contractors. It might seem tricky to score an invite to these events, but a visit to the exhibit floor booth and asking nicely will get you a pass in.
Overall, these industry-focused trade shows will boost your entrepreneurial energy like no other. You will network and learn so many things about your business that you just can’t go wrong. Hope to see you at some shows this year!
