If you read my previous post, you know that my Training Magazine conference experience was stellar. I've already touched on major points concerning how to present yourself at a conference, and the importance of awareness. However, one of the biggest mazes to navigate when attending a professional conference is the expo hall. The best explanation I can offer of the expo is that it is a giant room full of 10'x10' booths that are manned by people who are incredibly excited about their company and products. The sheer size of the expo can be daunting, and then huge banners and peppy people in polo shirts are thrown into the mix, and it is the perfect recipe for a panic attack. Thankfully, however, I deconstructed the entire expo concept with Trish Uhl and figured out that there is a method to all of the madness. Now it my turn to impart my limited, but helpful, wisdom to you on this confusing matter.
One of the things I learned prior to my expo exploration is that I needed to have a game plan. I read through the booklet highlighting all of the individuals speaking at the conferences, and all of the companies hosting booths in the expo hall. There are blurbs about each organization - what the company's focus is, who is representing the company in the booth, and the products offered. I sat like a loser on a bench outside the expo hall for an hour and half before it opened reading the pamphlet and decided which booths I should visit. Yes, I looked lame, but at least I had a better idea of what I was going to do once the hall doors swung open and sucked me in. Plus, by looking at every vendor on paper, I was able to know which companies my boss already had relationships with, which ones we were interested in knowing, and who had products that could be helpful to us.
When I walked into the expo hall, I was immediately overwhelmed, even after my preparation. I still had no idea where to start. And on top of everything, corporate representatives were staring expectantly at me, which only added to the pressure I was under. Thankfully, on day one, I was able to follow some new friends through the expo and learn the ropes while following the group, instead of being forced to blaze the trail myself. One of the things that I discovered was the existence of electronic scavenger hunts within the expo hall. With the mobile app SCVNGR, I was able to visit specified vendors and ask highlighted questions in hopes of discovering the answers so I could earn points in the game. While it seemed silly at first, it proved invaluable. By taking part in the game, I was able to add even more structure to my expo wandering. When going to an expo, check and see if there are any of these opportunities. If there are, take advantage of them.
On the flip side of things, if you are going to be a booth representative, there are some things that you should know before jumping in for the first time. The person responsible for putting the booth together should make sure that those in the booths are trained on what the intended outcome is to be, as well as what is appropriate for dress and decorum. It seems obvious, but if you are being tasked with this job and don't have much structure, you need to ask your superior. It's better to have too much clarification than not enough. If anything, just be sure that you manage the expectations of how you are supposed to drive people to the booth, the intake process is, and what the follow-up process will be after the expo. You should also know that the goal of the booth is NOT to close business details, but rather to generate business leads. This affects the way you will speak to booth visitors. Ultimately, you want to be engaging, but not pushy. You aren't a used car salesman trying to sell 1996 Dodge Dynasty to a grandma. Rather, you are a peer trying to help a colleague out by providing a potential business solution to a problem they have. Ask questions of your booth visitors, instead of spewing information. By interacting with the visitors this way, you can draw the person out and look for a chance to hep them, even if it isn't with your company. This may seem counterproductive, but if you are able to be useful and help solve their problems, you'll also be memorable. Plus, whether you can help them this time around or not, you still generated a lead for your group. When working with others in your booth, be sure to to be aware of the interactions of those around you, and help manage the conversations. At the end of the day, driving people to the booths is about visibility - people love complimentary offerings (cookies and small candies are especially popular) and no one wants to miss a party. If a booth seems fun, people will congregate to be sure that they aren't missing out on something.
I'm looking forward to my next chance to expo-lore, and here's to hoping you are now, as well!
~Katelind Hays
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