Seven steps to successful trade show attendance: just a little planning can turn your trade show experience from one of confusion and bewilderment to one of education, efficiency, and value. Here are seven steps to help make your trade show attendance worth your while. (AWS Detroit).(tips for attendees)

Publication: Gases & Welding Distributor

Publication Date: 01-MAR-03

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Just as some trade show exhibitors seem to do their job better than others, there are attendees who get more out of a convention--both seminars and exhibits--by knowing how to do it properly. These skills are learnable, but know that it is incumbent upon you, the attendee, to do a good job, just as the exhibitors have to know how to do theirs. Keep in mind that, because of downsizing, you are attending AWS show because your company feels that what you learn will prove to be valuable. Surveys show that today's delegates are more qualified than ever before. Seven out of ten use trade shows to make actual purchasing decisions and nine of ten gather information that leads to a buy. In addition, almost 40 percent of you have the authority to write a check.

Attendees who know what they are doing arrive with an agenda in hand--or at least blocked out in their minds. This list of "things to accomplish at the show" is comprised of buying needs that will take place over the next twelve months and learning for needs that will arise in the next two years. You're in a business in which the average purchase is in the thousands of dollars. Much thought and input goes into that buying decision. And on the show floor you can see competitors side by side.

In addition to the show floor, there will be seminars, more this year than ever before. Those selected by show management generally reflect your business learning requirements. Technology is changing at a rapid pace and the show as a whole, both the educational aspect and the exhibits, is the place to acquire new knowledge.

Step I: Decide to Attend--or Not

In choosing whether or not to attend a show, there are certain prerequisites that can help you decide. If your presence is mandatory because of professional obligations--committee service or a...

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