Has ANYONE had Tradeshow experience?

[Woodcs82]

Has anyone had success networking their business at a trade show? If so, did you establish a lot of new contacts and generate more business? Please share with us.

[rogercbryan]

I've worked a few for different industry projects. What types of questions do you have?

[Woodcs82]

I may goto a few music releated trade shows this summer. Usually at a trade show do they let you hand out business cards to anyone you talk to?

I was told that i would be better off networking at a trade show than advertising in a magazine.

[jasaunders]

Depends on the tradeshow. The whole purpose of a tradeshow is for people who buy booths to sell their products or services to the attendees.

That being said, I have been at tradeshows where there are people who go around row by row, approaching people at the booths to sell their own stuff instead. As someone at a booth, it is incredibly annoying. People will probably take your business card, but won't be too excited about it. They are there to sell, not be sold. They are sales and marketing people. They don't want to hear your pitch.

However, tradeshows, especially if you attend presentations and listen to speakers, are a good way to network in an indirect way.

[yourhostingspot.com]

I goto tradeshows for surf and skate markets. The last one I had a booth at was last January at Surf Expo in Orlando. A couple times a day I would leave our booth and set someone else in charge and I would network. Look at everyone's badge (Which had to be displayed) and look for owners/writers for magazines and any other people who I thought my company could benefit from. I would then tell them to stop by the booth and I would hook them up with free gear. In return, I received some product reviews, discounts on advertising fees. Everyone has different techniques they use at tradeshows, this is one that I have found effective. Goodluck.

[sonnyrizo]

I work for a non-profit association that has an annual convention. There, people can pay for booths (which can be expensive - it all depends on the tradeshow), network with other people in the same industry, etc. I suggest you go to one of these tradeshows and see what they are like for yourself; you'll find it very useful.