8 Tips to Make the Most of Your Tradeshow Visit
Part 2/2: Tips for Tradeshow Attendees
Attending a tradeshow is a great opportunity to see what’s new, learn new skills, connect with your peers and get inspired. Having a plan will help you navigate the show effectively and maximize the time and money you have budgeted for the event.
Here are 8 tips to help you take full advantage of your tradeshow experience:
- Work the Web: The show website has an abundance of information. For the ESI Show, look over the conference topics and speaker bios to get an overview of which 80+ professional development speakers and manufacturers classrooms that will address your needs.
- Download the Mobile Application. This year ESI has a cutting-edge mobile application that you can use throughout the show to check speaker times, reference a show floor map and connect directly to Twitter and Facebook to let your peers know what you’re up to! (Android is available now, Apple is coming soon.)
- Study the Exhibitor List: Spend some time looking over the exhibitor list and choose the one you want to see. Develop a short list of new products or equipment that you are interested in.
- Decide on your classes: Plan your conference schedule well in advance, especially when the conference program is extensive. The ESI show also offers educational classes in four summits: Day Spa, Resort Spa, Medical Spa and Advanced Esthetics.
- Stay in the Venetian Hotel: Staying in the show-sponsored hotel allows you to network throughout your stay. You can make a friend by holding an elevator, waiting in line at the coffee shop, or hitting the treadmill in your hotel’s fitness center. These casual meetings can turn into valuable relationships.
- Get your networking on: A trade show is not a place to be shy. Get out of your comfort zone and meet new people. You will always come away with new friends and practical ideas to improve your spa. Don’t forget to have your business cards with you at all times.
- Dress for comfort: If this is your first show, here’s a valuable piece of advice: Make sure that you have comfortable shoes and be sure to dress in layers. You may get warm walking the crowded show floor or cold sitting in a cool classroom. Most attendees opt for business-casual attire—but we all know beauty professionals like to express their unique style.
- Bring an expandable suitcase: If you are flying, make sure that you have a bag has plenty of extra room and that is comfortable to carry. You will receive bags from suppliers on the show floor, so make sure you have a suitcase large enough to take everything home.
Bonus Tip: Keep all your receipts– don’t forget that tradeshow attendance is tax deductible!
Nancy Griffin has been a recognized leader in the spa industry for more than fifteen years. She was introduced to the business of spa in the early 90′s, when she completed Graduate Management studies at the prestigious Cornell
School of Hotel Administration. Accomplishments include founding SpaTrade.com and the SpaExec networking events. She also directed the educational programs for IECSC from 2005 to 2010. After Questex Media Group acquired SpaTrade and SpaExec in 2008, she continued to lead the companies
as Executive Director. Griffin returned to her entrepreneurial roots in 2010.
Griffin is a veteran speaker and journalist covering spa industry trends. She is currently principal of the content marketing and internet strategy firm Contento Marketing Group.
