The 2023 NIRSA Annual Conference + Campus & Wellness Expo is nearly here. Are you ready for your time in Pittsburgh? In order to help you prepare, Crystal Wheeler, the vice president of events and partnerships at Peake Media, uses her years of experience with events and trade shows in the fitness industry to share trade show tips for attendees and exhibitors to make the most out of their time at NIRSA.
Five Trade Show Tips for Attendees
- Think about the five things you want to accomplish or takeaway by attending the event.
- Make a “Must-See” list of exhibitors.
- Jot down your questions for those exhibitors. Sometimes the conversation can take a different direction and you walk away and didn’t get all the information you were really needing.
- Keep your eyes open for unique vendors and products. Even though they were not on your “Must-See” list, they could bring a new element to your facility or more value-add to your students.
- Be deliberate in your efforts to meet as many new people as you can. You never know what possibilities exist when you forge new relationships.
Five Trade Show Tips for Exhibitors
- Jot down five goals you have for the event. Is it connecting with a certain person? Is it learning about another company?
- Smile, make eye contact, and look energized and ready to engage people in conversation.
- Ask questions. When someone stops by, this is your chance to uncover information.
- Don’t ask a question and then trail off and think about what you want to eat for lunch. People can see that “glazed” look in your eyes.
- Be deliberate in your efforts to meet as many new people as you can. You never know what possibilities exist when you forge new relationships.
Interested in more tips? Check out this article for further insight at making the most of your time at a trade show or similar event.
Also, stop and see the Campus Rec Magazine team at NIRSA, March 23-24 during the open hours of the Campus Rec and Wellness Expo. We will be at Booth #417!
