Maximizing Your Time at Tradeshows

For many people, July marks the real beginning of summer. The kids are out of school, the days are long, and the weather is hot. For us, July not only marks the beginning of summer, but it also marks the starting point in our tradeshow and event calendar, or as we like to call it “when things get a little crazy.” The months of July, August, and September will see us crisscrossing the country to attend everything from rodeos to tractor pulls and all types of shows.

While extended time on the road can make us weary, one thing we never get tired of is showing people the benefits that Alliance, Galaxy, and Primex tires can offer your business. If you’re like us and have a busy schedule of events to attend this summer, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your valuable time at the next tradeshow or conference.

Set Yourself Up for Success

Register for the event early. Most shows offer a discounted rate to attendees who register well in advance. When you register for the event, make your travel and lodging plans at the same time to maximize your opportunity to buy at a discounted rate and make sure you stay on budget. If you can, book a hotel as close to the event as possible. Being close will minimize the amount of time you lose going back and forth and gives you a place to rest, recharge, and sort through all the information you receive.

Make a Plan

The tradeshow is no place to decide what you want to accomplish, what you want to see, or who you want to meet. Tradeshow veterans know that arriving early and with a plan is key to tradeshow success. To make the most of your time, get a map and directory before the show and plan out a route beforehand. Having a map and a route pre-planned will help minimize time wasted walking around these often massive shows. If there is a company or person that you want to meet with, schedule an appointment with them ahead of time, that way you guarantee their undivided attention and won’t have to wait around their booth until they are free to talk.

Act the Part

Just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean you are on vacation. Tradeshows can present long days, so wear comfortable but appropriate attire to the tradeshow. Remember, you are here on business. Also, pack a pair of shoes that you are confident will be comfortable for long days on your feet with lots of walking. And don’t forget a carry-all—tradeshows are rife with pamphlets and literature, and a professional looking bag will make for easy transport of those materials and looks much better than using a plastic bag.   

At the Show

Carry around a pen and paper so you can make notes. It may seem irrelevant at the time, but these records are vital for bringing information back with you and following up with a connection made at the show. Speaking of connections, bring business cards with you everywhere. Whether at the show, on the shuttle, or in the elevator, your next great contact could be right next to you. Don’t just hand out cards either, if you spend any time with a person at the tradeshow, grab their card to follow up with them after the show.

Show’s Over

After the show, take a step back to organize your thoughts. Tradeshows can be a hectic and tiring experience, so it is worthwhile to reflect on the show and think about what you found impactful, and what you thought could benefit your business. Organize your notes while they are still fresh to make sure you didn’t miss anything. In the days after the show, follow up with your new contacts and send them LinkedIn invitations.

With these tips, we’re sure you’ll make the most out of whatever event(s) you attend this summer. Whether you visit us at a National Tractor Pullers Association event, Farm Progress, or one of the other events that will be keeping us running this summer and fall, stop by our booth to see why we've become the fastest growing off-highway tire in the industry.