Navigating The Trade Show Floor: 6 Tips For Achieving Goals & Making Connections

Gathering virtually was a necessity for so long that I wasn’t sure in-person events would ever return. Nearly five years post pandemic, and I’m happy to say that I was wrong. Virtual and hybrid events were a decent solution when meeting in-person wasn’t an option, but I always walked away feeling like there was just something missing.  

It’s the human component that makes a good event tick.  

Being in a room alone, in front of your computer isn’t the same as standing amongst a sea of people on the event center floor. There’s no comparison to the rush of energy and excitement you get walking from booth to booth, listening to an engaging guest speaker, or meeting a prospect at a conference. 

Sure, you can watch panel discussions virtually, but you miss the opportunity to turn to the person next to you, shake their hand, and make a meaningful connection.  

Screens create too many barriers

There’s always at least one person stuck on mute or struggling with a bad wi-fi connection. Technical difficulties and day-to-day distractions take you out of the conference and back into reality in a second. Meanwhile, you’re missing vital opportunities to gain industry insights. 

For busy professionals, it can feel like there is always something more pressing to prioritize, like that last minute meeting request or the endless email notifications.  

Trust me when I say that making time to attend events in-person is well worth the investment.  

Outside of the periodic check-in with my team to ensure things are running smoothly back at the office, I’m more focused on what’s happening around me when I attend an event in-person. For those hours or days, my job is to be in the moment and enjoy all that the event has to offer. In-person events are an immersive experience, allowing you to dive deep into what’s happening in your industry.

You unlock an exclusive opportunity to learn from experts, discuss emerging trends, and explore new technologies all while making meaningful connections with people in your field.  

You never know what an off-the-cuff “hello” can lead to

Awhile back I attended a national trade show. After floor hours, I stopped by a sponsored event and was introduced to a Dealer we weren’t currently working with. Our conversation started out casually but eventually led to business when the Dealer started telling me about their pain points. This gave me an opportunity to discuss how a partnership with Rapid could help.  

Believe it or not, this small interaction inspired the Dealer to do some research. Not long after that, they visited our facilities. We cemented the deal and they’ve been a Rapid Dealer ever since.  

As Director of Marketing, I’ve attended countless trade shows, corporate events, conferences, and webinars in the past decade. Whether you’re a business professional looking to network, or a company trying to spread brand awareness, I can confidently tell you that there is immense value in attending in-person events.  

With event season upon us, I thought I'd share the advice I've learned over the years.

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