Don’t miss the opportunity to join us at the 11th Annual NPSOA Owners Conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Held from March 16-18th, this annual event is always one of the highlights of our year. We look forward to seeing and connecting with you there!
It can be challenging to step away from the daily operations of your business, but it’s essential for your success.
To get the most significant benefit from your time out of the office, you need to set goals and plan to make the most of this break.
After all, if you’re investing money to attend a trade show, don’t you want to get something in return?
Get the Most Out of Your Visit to NPSOA Conference with These 10 Tips!
To ensure your hard-earned money and time are used efficiently, here are ten strategies to capitalize on this event and attain optimal returns.
1. Do Your Homework
Before attending a trade show, you must do your homework to understand all available opportunities.
To ensure you are adequately prepared for success, arm yourself with the necessary knowledge and resources to help you reach your goals.
Here’s a list of items worth researching before getting started:
- The daily schedule of events
- Exhibitor and keynote speaker line-up
- Product demonstrations
- Seminars and workshops
- Networking opportunities
- Vendor connections
2. Get Involved by Volunteering
To reap the most rewards from your conference experience, consider engaging in a more active role, such as presenting, moderating sessions, or volunteering for committees.
To find out areas where help is needed, search for opportunities on the event website when it is first announced. If none are listed, contact the organizer directly to inquire.
Your volunteer role allows you to stand apart from other attendees. Even amidst thousands of participants, you can become a visible leader!
3. Make Each Moment Count
Ensure you manage your conference time well by staying near all the activities.
Conversing with new people over breakfast or in another informal setting is a great way to expand your network. This strategy allows you to maximize your time and gain the most opportunity to learn from other industry professionals.
4. Be Goal-Oriented
If you don’t have an aim in mind before attending an event, you’ll inevitably feel as if your time was squandered.
To benefit most from your time at the show, craft a list of objectives that outline what you hope to gain from attending.
Additionally, consider mapping out which vendors you want to visit to hit those goals and objectives. That way, you can explore afterward, knowing that your predetermined agenda has already been completed.
5. Attend the Most Beneficial Sessions
With the vast selection of sessions and events at a conference, it can be difficult to squeeze everything in.
As you plan your schedule, consider all available options – from skill-building workshops to social activities– so that you not only gain knowledge but also enjoy yourself!
Don’t forget about some quiet time, too; after attending several stimulating talks, having a few moments for reflection is essential.
If you find yourself in a session that doesn’t meet your expectations, don’t be ashamed to free up valuable time and switch to another event. A conference is about making the most of it; take advantage of every opportunity available!
6. Bring the Right Tools
Appropriate planning and preparation are key to the success of any mission. Establishing a goal or vision alone will not make it come true.
Gearing up for your next trade show event? Ensure you have these essentials on hand to make the most of it!
- A document that outlines the current pain points for your business
- A comprehensive list of questions to ask other industry professionals
- A healthy number of business cards for networking
By preparing beforehand, you can ensure that your visit to the show leaves no unanswered queries.
7. Shift Your Focus from Your Phone
Keep your technology from getting in the way of making valuable connections with other attendees. Put away your phone when there are gaps before a workshop starts and while taking a break at the coffee bar.
Give yourself a chance to engage in conversations with others around you. Don’t let the opportunity to learn from other industry professionals slip away!
8. Preschedule Important Connections
Participating in conferences can be overwhelming and chaotic.
When attending a crowded event, workshops and vendor tables can become overwhelmed with crowds – making it hard to engage with the people you want answers from.
Instead of spending your time waiting in line, take control of the situation and reach out to those you wish to connect with before attending the show. You’ll benefit from invaluable face-to-face interactions without all that wasted energy!
Schedule meetings ahead of time for a smooth experience and maximum efficiency.
9. Make Use of Social Media
Leverage social media while at the event to stay connected with your customers. Not only will they appreciate that you are learning and growing to provide better service, but it also gives them a chance to see you as an authority figure within the industry.
10. Follow Up on Lessons Learned
Allocate some time after the show to review your collected information and ensure that any follow-up meetings or activities are taken care of.
Put your learning into practice by creating action steps for the next step. Taking notes while attending a show can be highly advantageous as it allows you to jot down any necessary tasks which will need to be completed once the event has ended.
Planning on attending NPSOA’s 2023 Conference? We look forward to seeing you soon!
