Attending a business conference can be excellent for your business, but you need to be prepared. It’s pretty common for business owners to show up to a conference and be quickly overwhelmed by everything that’s going on. Check out these 7 things you can do to make the most out of your time at a conference.
1. Identify People You Want To Meet Before The Event
Just going to a conference with the general goal of meeting new people isn’t focused enough to have a productive time at the event. Before leaving for the conference, take the time to identify which people you want to speak with. You take the time to follow the conference on social media and use the schedule to identify which people you want to make an effort to meet. Identifying these people ahead of time gives you the chance to brush up on their area of expertise and think of a few different conversation starters to try.
2. Use Social Media To Reach People Before The Conference
If you need more people visiting your booth and seeing your presentation, use social media to your advantage. Promoting your presentation by using the conference hashtags will help people who are going to attend learn more about the type of work you do. Spreading your videos on LinkedIn and Twitter using the conference hashtags is a great way to get people excited about your upcoming presentation.
3. Research The Speakers If You’re Struggling To Decide Which Sessions To Attend
Your time is valuable, and it’s impossible to attend all the sessions, so it’s worth your time to research the speakers before you arrive. Doing your research will help you find people speaking on topics most relevant to your business. If you’re looking to connect with a particular person, it may be worth attending their presentation.
4. Use Teamwork To Cover All Areas Of The Conference
Conferences are tough to manage with just 1 or 2 people. Splitting up the tasks among your team will enhance how much you can get done. When you arrive, it should be with a divide and conquer mentality. Remember to plan time for a proper meal so you can refuel.
5. Make Sure Your Booth Is Well Equipped
Having a properly equipped booth is essential to making the most out of your time at a conference. It’s worth investing in a banner you can hang up or using a tablecloth that has your company’s branding and color scheme on it. Try and bring things that will encourage people to walk up to your booth. It’s also necessary to have supplies like brochure holders to organize your promotional materials. You can use videos, slideshows, and giveaways to attract more attention to your booth.
6. Follow Up After The Conference
Following up after you meet someone is a great way to leave an impression. Following up is especially important if you’ve set up a tentative meeting date with someone you met at the conference. These tentative meetings tend to fall apart if no one makes an effort to follow up after the conference. Sending a simple email or handwritten thank you note can be an effective way to spark the conversation.
7. Don’t Neglect Your Diet
A lot of business owners run themselves into the ground at conferences by ignoring their health. Conferences are full of opportunity, but you can’t make the most of your chances if your body is holding you back. Remember to eat properly in the morning and take the time to pause and eat a substantial lunch in the middle of the day. If there’s an intermission, it’s also a good idea to get a workout in to increase your circulation and energy.
