As convention season approaches, it’s time to start preparing. Think of conventions as investments, the same as any other investment. It is important to get the greatest return for sending employees to conventions. Employees who are prepared will yield the greatest return for your casino’s investment.
Preparing for the Convention – Do your Research Before Leaving your Office
The use of convention websites & mobile apps will be the number one resource to prepare for and utilize throughout the convention. They will have all the information you need beyond dates, times, locations, and registration. They will include a list of the exhibitors & their contact information, a list of participating hotels, educational classes, seminars, or speakers. Review the exhibitor list and, if available, get a list of registered attendees to schedule appointments with vendors, clients, or prospects before you arrive. This will set the stage for a productive convention. It may be tedious, but investing the time to go through a convention’s website will prepare you for everything the convention has to offer. Knowing what’s available will ensure you are getting the most out of your investment.
Download the convention’s mobile app if it has one. It will be very useful during the event. It will have the same information as the website and some additional features. Some convention mobile apps have scheduling features for your meetings, classes, or seminars, and location features with a map of the showroom floor so you can see where you are standing and where you need to go. Enable an app to send alerts and reminders to make sure you wrap it up and move on to your next appointment.
Conventions are a lot of work (whether your controller thinks so or not), but they are not ALL work. Look beyond the convention’s website. Local Convention Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) will have information about the convention you are attending and much more, including local attractions, things to do, getting around, and restaurants.
Arrive Early to the Convention (If you can)
If your schedule and budget allow for it, arrive the day/night before and become familiar with the area. Oftentimes (especially at larger conventions) your hotel will be a short walk to the convention center. Convention centers can be very big with several different conventions happening simultaneously. If it’s your first time attending a particular convention or location, use the time wisely. Take a walk to the convention, know where the registration will be, where the showroom floor is, and familiarize yourself with the floor layout and where the vendors you are meeting with are located. This will most likely need to be done by reviewing the floor map on the convention’s website or mobile app, as you will not have access to the showroom floor before it is open to attendees. This will save you the stress or frustration of not knowing where to go and will make for a smooth start to your convention. It will also keep you from being late for your appointments.
If you’re driving to the convention, plan on traffic and know where to park in advance. Parking in large cities can be a challenge in itself, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the city.
Conventions are a great resource to stay informed about industry trends, learn about new or emerging technologies, and hear from industry experts. Attend classes and seminars, take good notes, and ask questions. If you’re uncomfortable asking a question during the presentation, stick around after. If a speaker does not have to rush off to their next appointment, they often stay after and speak with attendees. This is a good opportunity to network and speak one-on-one with presenters. Arrive early to classes or presentations; some of the more popular ones will have standing room only. Double-check times & locations throughout the day as last-minute cancelations or rescheduling can happen.
Follow up with the Contacts you Make
At the end of each day, if you are at a multiple-day convention, follow up with the people you met. It is a nice professional touch to send a simple email saying “It was nice to meet you today. Once I get back to the office, I will follow up with you in more detail about our discussion, etc.” When you return to the office, make sure to carve out some time to follow up and follow through with the contacts you made at the convention.
Work Hard and Play Hard, But Don’t Overdo it
Conventions are a lot of fun, and after a long day of work, there will be cocktail hours, dinners, bars, and clubs. Don’t overdo it when it comes to having fun. From the beginning to the end of the convention, you are at a work function, and it is important to remember you are representing your company. Have fun in moderation. Consuming too much alcohol or being hung over can reflect poorly on you and your company and be counterproductive.
Additional Tips
- Bring lots of business cards, two cards if you have them, one with your cell phone number and one without. Anyone who has given out a lot of business cards at conventions understands why this is a good practice.
- Carry a small notepad and write down important information after each meeting or appointment. At the end of the day, this simple practice will help you recall details of each of the meetings you had.
- Wear comfortable shoes; a full day on the showroom floor means a full day on your feet. Large conventions often have padded floors, which help, but comfortable shoes will make a world of difference on day 2 or 3. Comfortable shoes communicate “seasoned veteran”.
- Keep your phone charged. If you know it is going to be a long day, make sure to start with a fully charged phone. Most conventions have charging stations on the showroom floor, but if you don’t have time to sit and wait for your phone to charge, it’s a good idea to start with a charged phone and have a battery backup.
- Carry mints or gum. Conventions and coffee go hand in hand. Don’t be that person.
We look forward to seeing you at one of the many upcoming conventions. For all your marketing needs, Catalyst is here for you.
