Trade Show InsightsNews, tips & tools to expand your knowledge of exhibiting

Cathy Jennings

So you met a lot of interesting people and potential clients at a conference or trade show — Now what?

In the second half of our interview with Cathy Jennings from No Pressure Networking, she shares tips for staying connected after the event, including how to:

• Set up a system that guides them through “next steps”
• Go beyond the e-mail inbox with “retro marketing”
• Follow social media etiquette guidelines
• Plus tips for event organizers on making networking an integral part of the activities

Cathy Jennings

Anyone can feel a bit uncomfortable at times when it comes to networking at events, no matter whether you’re an exhibitor or an attendee — and no doubt that feeling gets exponentially stronger if you’re an introvert. So how do you overcome the fear and make networking fun?

In this first half of a two-part interview, Cathy Jennings from No Pressure Networking shares tips for what to do at an event, including how to:

• Set networking goals for the event
• Prepare for the conversation ahead of time
• Use the buddy system to make introductions

Graphic: Digital Juice

In this season of miracles and hope, I wanted to share a beautiful story of one attendee’s experiences at this year’s Book Expo.

Christine Kloser is an author and book coach who made a last-minute decision to take the train into New York to walk the floor at BEA. She faced numerous challenges just to get there, but as soon as she entered the Javits Center she began to make serendipitous connections with publishers, store buyers, and even a lady who works on the New York Times bestsellers list! Check out her complete story, “What Grace Looks Like …” on her blog to read all her mind-boggling opportunities from that day.

Photo: stock.xchng / cmx82

Winter isn’t typically the season you think of growth but in the trade show world, there are signs of life appearing in various ways. If you’ve been to any events at Chicago’s McCormick Place recently, you’ve seen the construction of a new Hyatt Regency tower. Now moving into Phase Two, the project focus will be on renovating the existing guest room tower and onsite restaurant.

The latest report from the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) indicates that exhibit industry growth continued for the ninth consecutive quarter, although it did slow a bit in the third quarter of 2012.

It’s a simple formula, really. If attendees are happy they’ll come back and spend more time on the show floor, which makes exhibitors happy. When exhibitors are happy, they rebook for next year’s show and make show organizers happy. When organizers are happy, they continue to come back to the same city and venue that has been proven to be a success.