Epad

Snr Business Development Executive

Trade shows - Do's and Don'ts

Had a look through the search for this topic but hasn't been brought up for 2-3 years.

I haven't been to a trade show in a long time, and definitely not in a sales capacity, so wanted to get some experienced feedback.

We are just going to be walking the show over the 4 days in Vegas, but will be hosting a social event one of the evenings. This will be my first experience seeing a lot of what our customers actually do with our products so I'm super pumped.

Personally I am going with the attitude of this will be a huge educational experience more than anything, meeting our customers in person, appreciating their work, but I also want it to drive my sales into 2025.

Any helpful suggestions?

🚗 Automotive

🤝 Networking

🙌 Events

25 comments

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Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

No booth? hmmmm.

Not knowing what you actually sell, my favorite thing to do at conferences is to sit in on the break out sessions. Sit next to someone you don't know or sit next to the person you have been stalking. Smaller conferences will have lunches and you should do the same.

And since you have a social event you're hosting, its important to get meetings prior to the conference with those people while you are at the conference. And not "we'll see you at happy hour" type of meetings. Its a bit harder to do this without a booth, but find a comfortable meet up area.

Epad

Executive

Snr Business Development Executive

No booth no. The company has found the hosting of a social event much more effective.
Good idea on the break out sessions also.
Gonna be putting together a target list of people I want to speak to, and also another a list of current customers we know are attending, so hope to really use the time wisely.
Appreciate it!

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Meetings scheduled throughout the conference - + 1.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

Thank you for using the search bar!

This may be obvious, but it still needs to be said. Have a couple of drinks but don't get shitfaced. I find prospects/customers find us to be more approachable if we have a drink in hand, but don't let it get out of hand.

It's awesome that you're hosting a social event, you might want to act like a promoter for a little bit and engage with/invite people that are at sessions relevant to what you do.

For networking, I've found that you should go ALL of the happy hours events that you can, of course.

One thing that people may not have thought of is taking full advantage of any lunch that's being served. I've made so many contacts in line for food/drinks and sitting at a table that's not full of a single company.

Epad

Executive

Snr Business Development Executive

Great suggestion on the lunches, thanks!
Yeah this isn't a full bender week, fully expecting to be professional and enjoy it respectfully.
We'll have a team night out to let a little more loose towards the end but not the goal.
And yes I am promoting the heck out of it over the next few weeks on the phones.
Cheers!

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

All good things!

Don't forget to promote on the floor, especially near relevant sessions.

Best of luck

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

👆🏻!!
I’d just like to add that, do not think at all if you should or shouldn’t talk to x person or spend too much time on the opener. Just be confident(the drink will do it for you but still).

Don’t hesitate for anything, enjoy and have fun!

Epad

Executive

Snr Business Development Executive

For sure! I'm excited for it!

RandyLahey

Politicker

Account Executive

Are the attendees of this event going to be mostly existing customer base or prospects?

Smile, meet and greet. Shake some hands, maintain eye contact and get some information. I liked adding people on LinkedIn on the spot, and sending a DM right, "Hey it's Randy Lahey, we spoke at the Liquor Conference".
Do not lead with anything resembling a pitch. If people ask you what you do, then great, you can expand. But focus on them.

Epad

Executive

Snr Business Development Executive

Mix of both customers and prospects. Yeah won't be pitching, just making good impressions and intros. Thanks!

RandyLahey

Politicker

Account Executive

Good luck and keep us posted! It'll be a lot of fun

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

I love the Vegas

RandyLahey

Politicker

Account Executive

Going my first time early next year fam, gimme some advice.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Oh that will deserve it's own thread before you go my dear 😎🦊

RandyLahey

Politicker

Account Executive

Dunno who the tf downvoted you queen but I’m quite down for a separate rant.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

I'm being downvoted every time I speak up. It's one of the reasons why I took a break. Some people are simply haters 🤷‍♀️

RandyLahey

Politicker

Account Executive

Christ, that's some petty ass behaviour.

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

without a booth this can be somewhat tricky however, go to the hotel bar of the event and it's likely the c-suite vp levels will be grabbing a drink there always a solid way to meet prospects and customers alike

Epad

Executive

Snr Business Development Executive

Solid, will do

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Comfortable shoes, in case it needs to be said.

medhardwaredr

Politicker

Director of Sales NA

Make sure to talk to everyone! If you don’t have a booth you need to make the most of your event. Go soda water lime, prep some questions for your prospects/clients, do your research on the attendees and their companies so you can have a good convo.
Most of all have fun!

Epad

Executive

Snr Business Development Executive

Prepping some questions is a good idea, thanks

NoToBANT

Catalyst

Senior Account Executive

1) Outreach prior to the event with something valuable you could share with them if they agree to meet

2) don’t get shit faced or caught up in the sales-bro culture - just do you (unless your an alcoholic)

3) get enough sleep - literally just got back from vegas and regret not sleeping enough

4) Vegas - take lip balm unless you want your lips to look like Ghandi’s foot

5) water - so much fucking water and then some more

6) don’t NOT talk to people because their not your ICP. You’ll be surprised at the synergies and partnerships you can make. I got an intro to a client who ended up closing from a video producer (not related to my industry at all) because I had a friendly chat with him during a happy hour

7) the most important thing. Have fun. When you’re having fun, you’re more approachable

8) sorry, last thing, Electrolytes

cw95

Politicker

Head of SDR

I always find events hard at first but I pull my finger out my ass, get the courage and talk to a few randomers and then after that you find you're talking to absolutely everyone and you learn an incredible amount and the day flies by, by the end of the 4 days you'll know loads of people and have a network!

AgustinusAdiST

Fire Starter

The RealMiner

We should be shown all that we need to sale so that is why the company have an campaign method to introduction the sales product.