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A Guide To Visiting Trade Shows & Exhibitions

Why Visit?

Exhibitions and Trade Fairs are an excellent way of finding and sourcing new products & Services. Only Exhibitions & Trade Shows allow you, the customer, to get really close to the product and its creators and research companies and sample Products & Services at the same time and all under one roof.

The Main reasons for Visiting

To find new products and services.
To meet with existing and new suppliers.
To compare new products and services, try them out and find out more.To keep up to date with new technologies and keep ahead of competitors about new products and services.
To appoint agents/ representatives.
To meet the experts and obtain technical knowledge.
To network and meet up with other business people, exhibitions and trade shows are a central meeting point for buyers, sellers, Trade. Associations, Trade bodies and press.
To investigate an exhibition for possible future exhibiting.
Visitor Tips Before the show:

1. Work out what your goals are and what are your main reasons for visiting the Trade show or exhibition

 2. Plan which exhibitors you want to visit. Contact the organisers for a list of exhibitors.

3. Liase with your colleagues on who they are visiting on order not to duplicate visits and make the most of the time you have.

4.Know what information you need to have from each exhibitor.

5. Plan what questions you need to ask the exhibitors about their products or services. Print out a form of questions so you can complete for each exhibitor . this way you can make comparisons when you return and you will be confident that you are choosing the right product for you

7. Make appointments with exhibitors before hand by phone or e mail . This way you can be sure you will get their attention and nto waste time waiting to talk to them.

8. Get map of where exhibitors located and prioritize your route.

9. Make sure you have enough business cards. If you are a public visitor it is a good idea to print up a contact sheet or card.

10. Pack comfortable shoes and clothing to wear on the show floor. Walking shows is extremely tiring.

11. Take a light and comfortable "carry-all" for accumulated materials. Plastic bags are often uncomfortable as they cut into your hands.

12. Make travel and hotel bookings as early as possible. Hotels are often booked up months in advance of the shows.

13. Try and Stay at a hotel closest to the convention site to save on travelling and to give you a place to rest, sort through information gathered, and refocus your energy.

14. Plan the seminars/workshops you want to attend. Split sessions with your colleagues to maximize data gathering.

At The Trade Show / Exhibition

15. Try and arrive 30 minutes before opening to avoid standing in long lines. At the Show:

16. Revise your plan at the show. The show directory and schedule often changes several times before a show.

17. Collect information that is of interest to you or that might interest others in your company. Request literature and samples be mailed instead of having to carry them with you.

18. Obtain a map of the city and know how to get to the convention center.

19. Tell exhibitors you are on a tight time schedule to avoid casual chatter and get straight down to business.

20. Look for networking opportunities. Network with industry leaders. Get invited to exhibitors hospitality suites/ receptions. At workshops introduce yourself to people around you - hand out/collect business cards. Hook up with new contacts at mealtimes for added information

21. Skip overly crowded booths and plan to come at end of day when traffic is slower.

22. Check coats and bags so you don't have to drag them around with you.

23. Carry a pad and pen to jot down important notes, or have small tape recorder for note taking.

24 Take a break after a few hours to refresh and get some fresh air. Air in convention halls is dry, stale and draining. Drink water instead of pop/beer regularly to avoid dehydration.

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