Working with exhibit professionals ensures that you have a strong presence on the floor when you attend a trade show. However, the real value, albeit less tangible, is in the trade show’s ability to offer you a wealth of opportunities for professional networking. Yes, it is more than possible that exhibiting at a trade show can generate more business from brand-new leads. However, it is the ability to solidify relationships with a personal touch that is where the real value of trade shows appears.

Plan Ahead

One of the first things you should do if you decide to plan for a trade show is to compile an early list of prospects for personal meetings. This is likely to be a mix of existing clientele to reaffirm business relationships and further solidify them, but it’s also important to look at future prospects and target them.

Now, the weeks leading up to a trade show are the best time to start reaching out and scheduling meetings with clients and potential new leads. Don’t leave this kind of networking up to chance, or assume you’ll be able to better plan for it once you arrive at the trade show. Given the busy nature of such events and the fact that most people have planned activities in advance, you’ll find it very difficult to make any progress if you don’t also prepare in advance.

However, it’s also important to leave some time for discovery. Visit other exhibits, talk to peers, and take the time to meet people and establish connections that aren’t necessarily on your list.

Organize Your Leads

Whether it’s before bed at the end of the day, or right when a meeting concludes, one of the best ways to save time with networking is to organize your leads. This involves prioritizing which leads to follow up on as soon as possible, either after the trade show or by making special notes of specific meetings and potential new clients or customers.

Doing this means that when it comes time to actually chase or solidify these leads, you’ll already have a list available of which ones should have the most time and energy devoted to them. It makes for more efficient professional networking after the fact. You achieve the best results for yourself and your business by being smart with your time and energy, tackling leads in a productive manner.

If you want to work with an experienced exhibit professional to make sure your investment yields returns, contact Lighthouse Exhibits.