MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR DAY! With more than 600 companies showcasing meetings sites, services, and solutions, planning ahead will help you get the most out of the day. Receive a greater return on your time investment by defining your trade show mission and goals:
ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
What solutions are you searching for? A meeting location? A new registration system? A phenomenal speaker? You’re probably searching for a number of solutions so create a list and gather notes on the following:
- Products, services or sites used in the past;
- Specific needs for the products and services you are looking for;
- Recommendations from colleagues;
- Dates—for meetings, for product delivery, for project completion; and
- The factors at play in making your decisions.
CREATE REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS
Organize the information you collected and create a request for proposal to distribute on the show floor. Your RFP should be informative and concise…and don’t forget to include your name, company and complete contact information! Make enough copies to deliver to all the companies offering the solutions that you are searching for. For your convenience, we have posted sample RFPs on the ASAE & The Center website.
MAP OUT YOUR ROUTE
Visit the Springtime Expo website to preview the exhibiting companies. You may find it helpful to prioritize the list into those you must see, those you would like to see, and those from whom you can just pick up information if your time is limited. Then check out the expo hall map in this program to map out your route.
PUT ON YOUR COMFORTABLE SHOES AND PREPARE TO GRAB LOTS OF BUSINESS CARDS!
Don’t forget to bring your badge if you registered in advance, a stack of business cards and a bunch of RFPs.
GRAB THE UPDATED EXPO HALL MAP AND EXHIBITOR LIST ONSITE
All your prep work will pay off! Begin with the exhibitors that you’ve put on your “must see” list, check out the updated floor plan and visit the industry partners that will help make your organization more efficient, successful and essential to your constituents!