The fall season means conferences in the senior living industry. Everything from local senior wellness fairs (including free flu shots) and Memory Walks (now called the Walk to End Alzheimer’s) to national industry events. New LifeStyles sponsors, exhibits and distributes at numerous events.
How do prepare for these events?
Before the show – How can you prepare?
Once you’ve signed up for the show and made your travel arrangements, start on the following:
- Is there a list of exhibitors available? What about pre-registrants? If so, and you are exhibiting, you will want to review them and decide if it’s worth doing a pre-mailing (snail or email). Give them a reason to come to your booth! Either way, if there are any specific individuals or companies you want to seek out? If so, make a list and reach out to them. You might even be able to schedule a meeting during the show.
- Post (blog, Tweet, on Facebook & calendar) about the show. Let people know you will be there!
- Are there presentations or sessions planned? If so, do any of them pertain directly to you &/or your clients? It’s always good to hear what they are hearing. Maybe you can come up with some new ways to help them, &/or pass on what you learn to others that aren’t there. Check out the schedule and decide how & where to spend your time.
- Packing – We have created checklists of items to pack for a show – one for a senior show & one for an industry (B2B) show. Most items on the list are similar:
- Display (if you are exhibiting – make sure you grab the right one if you have different offerings for different audiences).
- Materials (booklets, brochures, flyers, etc..)
- Business Cards – ALWAYS!
- Give aways/goodies (if exhibiting)
- Bowl or scanner for collecting business cards/leads
- Other (writing materials for notes, extension cord if needed for display or computer, return shipping labels, a bag for collected materials, etc…)
If you are exhibiting, don’t forget to ship with plenty of time! The earlier you ship and order needed goods and services, the more you will save. There is nothing worse than spending money on a show and not have a key piece when you get there.
Once you are at the show, make sure you walk around to see all of the vendors and put your time in to see participants as well. Find those on your list and attend the sessions you choose. Gather cards and information, and be social! Not just in person, but post about where you are, what you are doing, interesting products, services, sessions, etc…
After the show, make sure you follow-up with the contacts you made within one week. And start some action points per the things you learned. Don’t let all the new info go to waste!
What else do you do to prepare for a show? What shows net you the most results?
Going to Leading Age in Washington D.C. this weekend? Stop by and see Doug Fusella and Stacee Howse at booth #2027 to see how our latest offerings are bringing senior living providers more visibility, leads and traffic, and ask about a free online brochure!