It's all digital

Maneuver the maze

Take advantage of technology to make the most of industry events

By Karen Varga

We’ve all been there before. You arrive at a trade show without having done much prior preparation and feel a bit overwhelmed, and now you’re a little lost in the maze. Here, we share technological advances and tools that will help you maneuver that trade show maze with ease.

Preparation: The pre-show planning and preparation is perhaps the most important. Having a game plan going into the show can help you to have clear objectives and meet your event goals. Do you want to scope out a new pottery vendor? Attend the session being given by a well-renowned garden center consultant? Touch base with peers from the opposite end of the country who you only see at these events?

Social media: Not surprisingly, social media has become a tool for business professionals to stay in touch as much as it’s a way for friends to reconnect. One simple way to stay up-to-date is to like the event’s Facebook page and follow it on Twitter. Organizers should be regularly posting updates, links to find out more about a specific aspect of the show and other pertinent information. You can also post your own questions and comments about the show, either for the organizers or for other attendees to comment.

Are you looking for someone to carpool out from a neighboring city, or do you need more information about something you weren’t able to find on the website? This is the perfect place to ask.

Newsletters: This may seem like an obvious point, but it’s always beneficial to sign up for the event’s newsletters to get the latest information and updates. You can always visit the event’s website, but it’s sometimes difficult to remember to regularly check for updates. If you receive a newsletter, you’ll have regular reminders to prepare for the event, and receive details helpful to planning your trip, such as accommodation information, trade show and education program hours, etc.

Evernote: Most people I have met at trade shows have a smart phone or tablet. One of the aspects that I like the most about this mobile technology is the wealth of applications and features that make taking notes on the go easy and shareable. One app that’s great for getting organized pre-trip is Evernote. It’s described as “an easy-to-use, free app that helps you remember everything across all of the devices you use.” What does that mean? You can take photos, jot down a few thoughts, record voice reminders and even “clip” portions of websites that have information you may need later. All of these are turned into individual “notes” that can be tagged for easy searching. You can share all of this information across all of your devices and with anyone at any point, if you so choose.

Read more about technology that can help you maneuver the trade show maze at bit.ly/XdRm1A.
 

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