Here's how you can leave a lasting impression when networking at trade shows.

Dress sharp & spark conversation: Standing out with a friendly smile and professional attire. Ask engaging questions: Not just pitch. Being genuinely curious about their work and challenges. Offer valuable insights: Sharing a relevant tip or connect them with someone who can help. Follow up thoughtfully: Sending a personalized email after the show, mentioning conversation and offering further support. By being approachable, helpful and memorable, we can turn fleeting connections into lasting relationships.

Alright, gotta be honest, perfecting that elevator pitch for was a struggle for me at first. Condensing my skills and value into a quick bite always felt weird. But here's the thing, after talking to some entrepreneur friends & my amazing professors (who are masters of the pitch!), I learned it's more about sparking a conversation than a full-on sales pitch. Here's what worked for me: I usually start with a question! Something like 'Are you seeing any interesting trends in [industry you're interested in]?' It gets people talking about their challenges, and then I can jump in and show how my insights can help them solve those problems. It just feels more natural and makes the other person comfortable in sharing their thoughts.

To leave a lasting impression when networking at trade shows, be genuine and personable in your interactions. Prepare a clear and concise elevator pitch that highlights your unique value proposition. Show genuine interest in others by actively listening and asking thoughtful questions. Collect business cards and follow up with personalised messages after the event to nurture relationships. Offer valuable insights or resources that can help your connections, enhancing your networking effectiveness.

1. Look people in the eye when speaking with them. 2. Shake their hand and repeat their name so that you remember it. 3. Offer your card/contact info and grab theirs. 4. Smile, keep answers brief (don't ramble), and listen intentionally (don't dominate the convo...ask questions and/or engage them to speak more) 5. Shake their hand again, look them in the eye, and repeat their name before they walk away. 6. Follow up...even if it's late that night. That shows intention, effort, and authenticity.

You can't be afraid to start conversations with people you don't know. You may not connect with everyone, but being comfortable to actively seek out people to talk will improve your odds of making meaningful connections.

Anyone can be a stand out face to face, but when the event is over and everyone has gone home, that could be YOUR time to SHINE by sustaining contact and good will with those you met at the event itself. Little things seem to matter A LOT to others when maintaining connection. Share relevant industry articles with those you met, send a Happy Friday message once a month on a Friday, you guessed it, send someone you really felt connected to a Dunkin or Starbucks e card with a message that contains something uniquely personal to that individual, and never let an opportunity to stay connected slip through your fingers. Maintaining a long-term connection is more fruitful and enjoyable than a connection that never developed sustenance.

Una de las experiencias que más me enseñó a manejarme en ferias comerciales fue cuando me tocó estar al frente del stand yo solo. Sé que es difícil no caer en el estrés de no tener un líder en el stand, pero si mantienes la calma y confías en ti mismo, puedes realizar el trabajo de manera muy eficiente y convertirte en un ejemplo para los demás. 💪✨