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TennisandSales

Head Of Sales

Politicker
Acclaimed Answer
Executive
+9

Attending a Conference as an Attendee not a Vendor. Tips?

So there are a few customers speaking at this conference.


My company didnt want to pay to have a booth, but after I expressed how bad of a look it will be if we have NO presence there, they are sending me as an attendee.


Ill be meeting a few prospects and chatting with the current customers for sure.


What other tips do you crazy conference goers have to make the most out of my time???

🔎 Prospecting
🤝 Networking
👥 Social Selling
15

31 comment

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CuriousFox
WR Officer
5
🦊
Good rule of thumb: what would you like prospects to do when you are the seller?
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
oooo Fox nice angle here!
jefe
Arsonist
5
🍁
Spend time at the bar(s), and have a drink in hand but don't be drunk.

I always find the best connections and conversations are not in a booth. Use the floorplan to map out who you want to speak with.

Make sure to attend talks and make a few notes so you can speak a little about them.
TennisandSales
Politicker
3
Head Of Sales
the notes to speak with them after, i think will be my main approach.

having a drink in my hand but not being drunk is how I went through college 😂😂😂
SADNES5
Politicker
1
down voters are marketing spies
he is not wrong.
My favorite is to find your targets in line for food, or at a table (with food) and casually start chatting.

Big deals close this way.

Stick around to the end of the day - when booths start drinking beer. Go to the hotel(s)/bars after.

Don't get sloppy. :D
TennisandSales
Politicker
2
Head Of Sales
sticking around after is another good tip
LordOfWar
Tycoon
3
Blow it up
Stay late if your customers have booths and be ready to make way for their customers if you're talking to them during show hours.

Try to get invited to some evening receptions, that is when the real deal-making happens.

Walk the show and take notes of competitors, number of booth staff, etc.
TennisandSales
Politicker
2
Head Of Sales
last conference I was at my marketing team asked me to take pics of every competitor booth so they could see what they were doing haha
GDO
Politicker
3
BDM
Don’t go too early and try to stay after the non-booth people are gone. Also don’t go to hard for a deal. It’s mostly about showing you’re there and complimenting them on their booth
LordOfWar
Tycoon
3
Blow it up
Going early could work for scoping out the show and planning if the show is multiple days.

Some shows are dead on day 1, others are packed and dead the last day or two.

Those days where there are no prospects are good for hitting up customer booths, especially if they have fresh opportunities from recent meetings.
TennisandSales
Politicker
3
Head Of Sales
love the idea of seeing if the vendors are potential customers!
TennisandSales
Politicker
2
Head Of Sales
good point. i wasnt planning on going hard on "moving the needle" as much as i want to get face time to make a good impression which I know pays off
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
2
Bravado's Resident Asshole
Get some social time in, but don't go full retard. Make sure you keep some dignity.
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
hahah yeah idk how to take this, 😂
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
1
Bravado's Resident Asshole
Just don’t get too chocolate wasted sir 😂
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Do you have any partners going? If you do, get yourself on their event list and attend. That's a great way to expand your reach.
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
great idea! i wish our partners were going.
Pachacuti
Politicker
2
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Attend as many sessions as you can and talk to people.

Also, if you can, set up meetings around eating. Best bang for Buck.
TennisandSales
Politicker
2
Head Of Sales
ah yes i have identified that lunch time will be a legit meeting time
Filth
Politicker
2
Live Filthy or Die Clean
Make genuine connections with people and learn what you can about industry trend. You'll find organic opportunities to do on the spot discoveries when people ask what you do/who you work for. Don't think you'll close on the spot, but you can fill out a week or two of meetings just from being genial.
TennisandSales
Politicker
2
Head Of Sales
ha in my industry i NEVER expect to close on the spot. this shit takes forever. 😂
FinanceEngineer
Politicker
1
Sr Director, sales and partnerships
I’ve done it. You have to scope out your targets early and just reach out for meetings before the show. Get as many as possible. You might be able to pick up a couple walking the floor, but it will be a little hard.
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
good call. i have a few set up and im hoping to nail down a few more
Mamba
Executive
1
SDR
Attend the keynotes.
Skip most of the sessions. Watch the videos later. Go to sessions where you want a chance to meet the speaker (and then wait close by the exit to connect).
Hit every single exhibitor booth.
If you are looking to network, get a job, contract etc - have your email ready to send within 24 hrs of meeting folks (they are there to engage which means they are more likely to have a conversation the following week).
And it’s ALL about the afterparties.
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
these are all solid!
for sure on the look out for some solid after parties 😂
happyhunter
Politicker
1
spittin' sunshine
Make as many coffee, lunch, drink meetings as you can prior to the conference to fill your day and make sure you are attending the sponsored evening events and hanging around the most popular bars to meet new prospects
TennisandSales
Politicker
2
Head Of Sales
for sure! trying to keep my lunch hours busy!
Coffeesforclosers
Notable Contributor
1
Director Sales and Market Development
Breakfast, cocktails, dinner key. Going booth to booth bad. Dont forget to adult trick or treat and get all the chotchkies
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
cocktails and the "networking breaks" they give us have been solid so far. i am disappointed in the chotchkies that are available ahah!
Coffeesforclosers
Notable Contributor
1
Director Sales and Market Development
supply chain, inflation, good chotchkies are out, break out the old logo pens ha
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
yes! love a good logo pen

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