6 Actions to Get the Most out of an Industry Show

1. Attend the Right Events

Before packing your bags, do your homework. Research the industry show or conference you’re considering attending to make sure it aligns with your career goals.

Conference Fit: Evaluate whether the event caters to your specific interests and needs. Look into the agenda, session topics, and speakers. Will the information be relevant to your niche or area of expertise? Don’t think you need to attend every big industry show or conference out there – focus on the ones where the topics and events will help you grow professionally.

Speaker Connections: If you are interested in connecting with one of the key speakers for career advice or a specific question, reach out before the conference via email or social media. Let them know you’d like to speak with them at the conference and ask to schedule a brief one-on-one. Many speakers will be happy to share career advice, and a scheduled meeting will save you being a part of the crowd mobbing the speaker post-presentation.

2. Master the Art of Notetaking

Taking notes during sessions is essential. But don’t rely solely on smartphone snapshots of the presentation slides. Consider these strategies instead:

Make it Handwritten: Research suggests that handwritten notes improve retention and recall. This is because the process of writing each letter by hand, and the tactile and spatial awareness that goes with it, creates more connections in the brain.

Structured Notes: Don’t rely on a spare cocktail napkin for your notes. Bring a journal and pen and organize your notes by session, speaker, and topic. Capture not only the facts but any personal insights, connections, or action items you think of during the presentation. That way you won’t forget any eureka moments.

3. Network with Purpose

Networking is more than just exchanging business cards (but don’t forget them either). Use the multiple networking opportunities at industry conferences effectively:

Referrals: Connect with fellow industry professionals. Exchange your contact information and build relationships that could lead to future collaborations and referrals.

Niche Building: Seek out individuals who specialize in your niche or share a common interest or goal in your industry. Share experiences, challenges, and best practices. Collaborate on specific strategies.

Learning and Tips: Initiate conversations beyond small talk and try to learn something new from each person you talk to. Ask about their most successful negotiation tactics, approaches to marketing, and business growth strategies.

4. Ask Thoughtful Questions

During presentations, don’t be a passive listener.

In Sessions: Most sessions will have a Q&A opportunity at the end. Don’t be afraid to raise your hand and ask questions. Seek clarification or delve deeper into a topic. There’s no need to worry about how you’ll look to other attendees, because it’s likely many in the room will have the same questions as you.

Interact with Peers: The times before and after sessions are another opportunity to network. Approach other professionals in the room. Introduce yourself, ask about their experiences, and learn from their perspectives.

5. Discover Tools and Resources

Businesses that serve or contract with your industry know that conferences and expos are the place to get their products and services in front of their clients. At big events they often showcase their most innovative tools and resources. It doesn’t hurt to explore:

Tech Demos: Attend vendor booths and demonstrations. Discover software, apps, and platforms that can streamline your marketing and business processes. Vendors often have helpful giveaways, drawings, raffles, and coupon codes at their booths if you stop by, so take advantage!

Educational Materials: Collect brochures, whitepapers, and case studies from vendors. These resources can enhance your knowledge and provide practical solutions for your business.

6. Make Time for Post-Conference Processing

Don’t underestimate the importance of post-conference processing. Take the best of what you learned at the industry show and take some time to really consider how you can put it into practice.

Reflect and Document: Pull out your pencil and paper again and write down the key things you learned. Summarize key takeaways and any steps you can act on right away. Reflect on how you can apply these insights to your work.

Discuss with a Friend: Share your conference experience with a colleague or friend. Discuss the most impactful sessions and exchange ideas. This can be especially helpful if you discuss this with a colleague who also attended the conference.

Teach Someone Else: You can also take what you learned and teach someone who didn’t attend. It’s well proven that teaching reinforces your own learning. Share conference highlights with a junior professional or team member to help cement your learning while providing them useful information as well.