How to Network With Trade Show Vendors
A trade show could represent a great opportunity to add to your client prospect base and increase sales. Follow these steps to maximize the benefits.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Walk the aisles and shop as a customer. Wear your name badge, and keep your business cards in hand. Only speak to vendors who aren't currently busy with customers, and step away if a customer approaches.
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2
Show that you're interested in the fellow vendor's services or products. Let him know that you're interested in helping him and he'll be more willing to help you.
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3
Get the contact information of every vendor you speak with and tell them that you'll contact them about building a referral relationship.
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4
Don't take solo breaks. Have lunch, a quick snack, coffee or drinks with vendors. Break the ice while you break bread. Remember the purpose of a break. Don't focus on business. Instead, learn something about the vendors' lives away from work.
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5
Leave your booth to network with others only when you have relief. If no one is available, try to network with vendors in booths around you or during setup and take-down. This is why it is a good idea to have more than one person staffing your booth at a trade show. Depending on the size of the show, one can stay at the booth and handle customers while another is off networking.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Dress professionally and always smile.
Always have your business card with you and a pen to write down any information about another vendor or prospect.
Don't solicit in the aisles. This is unfair to other vendors and it looks much too eager.
Stay away from competitors. Everyone has a right to be a part of the show and discussing your opposition with a competitor won't help either of you.
Never leave your booth unattended to network with other vendors. Customers always come first.
Don't walk behind another vendor's booth, especially if she is with a customer or client.
