International Trade Resource Blog

This step of Attending a Trade Show might be the most important step of all.  And it might take months before you see the benefits of attending a Trade show.

I have attending trade shows in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando, Toronto, Hong Kong, Taipei, Shanghai, and other places.  I have attended several types of trade shows including Magic(Apparel), KBIS(Kitchen & Bathroom), Global Pet Expo, Housewares, HH Backers (Pets), COMDEX (Computers), and many others.

A. Follow Up, Follow Up, Follow Up

Make sure you follow up with the contacts, sales people, and other new contacts you made at the show within 2 days.  Even if it is just a simple email of saying hello, nice to have met you.  And to also let them know that you will be following up with them in a few days after.  This way, it keeps you fresh in their minds.  If they are good, they will most likely follow up with you in the same period.  

Months after the show, or heck even years after, you will find that you might pull out a business card and realize that you met them at that show.  New business development might occur from that show.  Positive P/L resulting from that particular vendor from that show will indicate the successfulness of that trade show. 

B. Evaluation of the Trade Show

This report is for your colleagues as well as for yourself.  Most likely you'll have to attend this show or a show similar to this in the future.  You'll want to  make notes about the show itself. Where was the best place to park, to eat, to have meetings with people.  What to wear, what seminars to attend, what not to waste time on, etc.  

C. Evaluation of the Exhibitors

In addition, you'll need to add to your Rolodex these new contacts and salespeople.  You will note what was interesting, which companies had new and exciting things, etc.  You'll make notes on what new and exciting companies were exhibiting, so that you can visit them in the future.