Whether you're scouting out the latest garment trends and styles or meeting suppliers face-to-face, trade shows are an essential part of staying ahead of the industry. Attending Trade Shows is a perfect opportunity to network and build relationships with exhibitors and other attendees. If this is your first time at a Trade Show, we understand you may be feeling overwhelmed and anxious being surrounded by lots of people and stalls. In the run up to Printwear and Promotions Exhibition, Prestige Leisure have put together this guide to help you structure and plan your trip to a Trade Show to ensure you get the most of it the experience and most of all, enjoy it!
Conduct Research
Before attending a Trade Show, it is important to do your research and familiarise yourself with the exhibitors. Most Trade Show Hosts have dedicated sites where you can view all the exhibitors and floor layout. By doing this, you can plan out your day, having a clear idea on what exhibitors you want to see and where their stall will be. It is also valuable to look at reviews and buzz around the trade shows to ensure you are going to come away from the event feeling excited from all the valuable knowledge.
If you are thinking about attending Printwear and Promotions, click here, to view the floor plan.
Come with Essentials
Ensure you come prepared with the relevant supplies to gather valuable information. To avoid coming away with information overload, make sure you have a pen and notebook with you to take notes to look back on. Other things to consider taking to a Trade show include a portable charger, snacks and plenty water.
Take a Friend/Colleague with you
Enhance your experience by taking a friend or colleague with you to bounce off each other and compare each other's insights and perspectives. Taking someone with you can ensure you don’t miss any valuable takeaways and details that will benefit you and your business. It also enhances your experience as it can make trade shows fun and more enjoyable.
Strategic Network
When speaking to trade show attendees, it is important to get the most out of those conversations. Asking open-ended questions about industry challenges and trends as well as sharing your own insights, gives the attendee an opportunity to offer you solutions and expert advice tailored to your needs. It is also important to do this with other Trade Show visitors where you can gain valuable insights as someone who has a business in the same industry as you.
Post Trade Show Evaluation
After the show, it is important to sit down with your team and evaluate your findings by breaking down your notes. Create action plans based off the notes you gathered at the Trade Show, evaluating both benefits and risks. Post Trade show, it is also essential to maintain connections therefore it is a great idea to connect with people and businesses you spoke to by connecting with them on LinkedIn. This helps to foster relationships and opens potential collaboration opportunities in the future.
The upcoming Printwear and Promotions Exhibition presents the perfect opportunity to put these tips into practice. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a seasoned visitor, approaching the show with a clear plan, the right tools, and an open mind will help ensure you make the most of this valuable industry event. We look forward to seeing you there, supporting you and your business with latest resources, garment and expert advice. Missing Printwear & Promotions? Catch us at the Print & Stitch shows instead. Check out our Tradeshow page for upcoming locations
Upcoming Tradeshows and Events