Should you attend exhibitions?
The answer is a resounding YES!
As the world lifts out of a near post-pandemic scrap to survive, missing out on fully accessible events and exhibitions could mean missing out some great opportunities to not only heal your business, but to expand your business. Here are our top 5 reasons to make sure a representative of your company attends these events:
1. Industry Knowledge
With innovators and technology continually evolving, exhibitions are a great way to keep up-to-date on industry know-how, tools, facilitators, resources, suppliers, trends, products and so much more.
2. Trial and Error
Why make mistakes yourself when your competitors can do it for you! Exhibitions enable you to check out what your competitors are doing, their products, presence (branding, messaging and personality), industry direction and attendee interest. All of this gives you an insight into what works and what doesn’t so your business and marketing efforts can be focused solely on what does work.
3. Brand Awareness & Marketing
As an exhibitor, not only can you use these events as a platform to showcase your company’s offerings, capabilities and personality, but you can also gain free social media exposure by piggybacking off the event’s own social media activity on the day. And all of this TO YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE!
Even as a visitor, you can still market your company to a degree by one-to-one engagement with stallholders and other guests. It’s really a no-brainer!
4. Tap into a Pool of Potential Clients
No matter what level your business is at, or even what role you have in the company, networking is a must. Exhibitions and trade shows provide a pool of potential clients, potentials suppliers and even potential supporters. This is where you can leverage the power of events through the connections it attracts. Out of this hub of industry experts, you can establish one-to-one friendships and allies by sharing your USP through personal connection.
This point cannot be underestimated!
5. Prospecting > Leads > Sales!
You just might have the opportunity to sell by leveraging off an already engaged gathering of people. If not a closed deal, you can certainly prospect and generate valuable leads.
BONUS REASON – Get Out of the Office & Get in With Your Tribe!
Having so many restrictions has kept us indoors for far too long. As facilitators to the industry (both suppliers and customers), physically integrating into the world of manufacturing in all its glory is like food for the soul! It truly is.
We’re currently at the Med-Tech Innovation Expo at the NEC in Birmingham, UK. With over 4000 attendees and floorspace so large it requires trainers or other suitable footwear to comfortably manage all the walking (see photo for evidence), we are absolutely LOVING meeting industry peers and meeting new people!
When you get out and about, visiting like-minded industry experts, employees and fans, you know you’re in your tribe and your confidence to expand your horizons for your business will hit the roof!
So get out there folks, and start attending relevant trade shows and exhibitions now!
