You're at a trade show, but you don't know anyone. How can you make meaningful connections?

Approach with confidence, initiate conversations, and introduce yourself warmly. Listen actively to others, showing genuine interest in their experiences and insights. Share your story succinctly, highlighting your background and interests. Find common ground by discussing shared interests, industry topics, or event highlights. Exchange contact information such as business cards or LinkedIn profiles. Attend networking events and seminars to meet like-minded individuals. Utilize social media to connect with attendees before and after the event. Volunteer or join groups related to your industry for additional networking opportunities. Follow up with personalized messages or emails expressing gratitude and interest.

Trade shows always have a focus. Be prepared to explain how your solution solves specific problems that the people you will meet at the show encounter every day. They don't care about your features-they care about solving their problems. But before you dive into your research, give them a chance to talk. Getting to know someone on a face-to-face level and caring about them individually is just as, if not more, important than all of your preparation. Give them a chance to share why their reasons for attending, problems, and experiences, before jumping into your elevator pitch (which you should definitely have ready for those people who need and will ask for that 15-second explanation before they want to talk to you).

Check your CRM platform for exhibiters, who have you spoken to before, who can be partners who could be clients. Plan a set of questions to ask and make sure you are ready to take back information on who you have spoken to and who to follow up with.

In my opinion, making a plan is very important in a trade show. So, I have to reserach on the event, the exhibitors, the speakers, and the attendees to make a good relationship to talk with new people. Preparing some questions is also significant.

If you look at people as people, not numbers, they usually respond in kind. No one wants to feel like a transaction. So avoid that impulse, and find something about the person you are interacting with that you can connect with. Usually, we can all connect with kindness if nothing else. Even if you have nothing more, a genuine smile still might be a lot to the receiver. But don't force that smile. It usually doesn't help anyone.

So, start with a smile, a friendly greeting, and a firm handshake. Be confident, polite, and respectful. Avoid interrupting or barging into ongoing discussions. Instead, wait for a natural pause, or ask for permission to join. And remember to introduce yourself with your name, company, and role.

Giving a good first impression is essential in a trade show because many of people decide their charactaristic by it. So, we have to start with a smile, a friendely greeting, and a firm handshake. Being confident, polite, and respectful also important.

Always be prepared before the trade show. You must know what do you want from the show and what can you do for your customers there. Always smile while you are at the trade show. The feeling is totally different when you see a smiling face and a poker face. Think positive and let your customers feel they are warmly welcomed. Now just go there and good luck!

“Curiosity and attentiveness are not just social skills; they’re essential business tools that can lead to profound professional relationships. By showing genuine interest and engaging deeply with others’ perspectives, we open doors to new insights and opportunities. Active listening allows us to understand the subtleties behind the words, fostering stronger connections. It’s about the quality of the interaction, not just the exchange of information. By being present in the conversation, we demonstrate our commitment to the relationship beyond the transaction, which can lead to trust and collaboration that extends well beyond any single interaction or event.”

In my experience, it is the best way to connect with someone at a trade show is to appeal genuine interest in them and their work. For instance, asking open-ended questions, listen actively, and provide feedback is very significant. Also, we have to avoid talking too much about themselves.

In my opinion, as the author wrote, the trade show is not the end of the connection so that it is the beginning to expand our network. After meeting new people, it is the best way to send a personalized email, message, or phone call within 24 hours of meeting someone because of having latest information and memory.

Of course, expanding our circle by networking with different types of people, such as exhibitors, speakers, organizers, media, or influencers is significant because we can get valuable insights, referrals, or opportunities from new people.

Find someone outside of your network that you might have something in common with at the show, and go talk to them. Go outside of your comfort zone. Go learn about another vendor. You are part of that community, and the more you look at it like that, the more you will enjoy your work and the better you will be at it.

Trade shows are incredible places full of opportunity, information, business and partnership. There are limitless opportunities to further your knowledge, network and career. Pace yourself and your energy, be genuine and get all you can out of each one. You'll be surprised how much can be achieved in a few days!

I have been in this situation a thousand times and I always try to apply the advice my mother used to give me when she sent me to the market: first you have to go all the way round, never buy from the first stall you come across. Once you know what you are going to find and with whom you are going to have the best conversations for your organisation's goals, you can start making contacts. I also use my mother's advice to engage in conversation: good manners, be honest, direct, frank and listen to the other person. Easy and fun!