The PPAI Expo is next week! Who’s excited? We know we are! Whether you’re attending for the first time, or you’ve been going for years, The Expo offers endless opportunities to connect with promo pros, learn from industry experts and grow your business.

With an action-packed, fun-filled week just around the corner, make sure your networking skills are sharp. In this issue of PromoPro Daily, we share some networking tips from writer Syeda Hamna Hassan on how you can make the most of the opportunities ahead.

1. Create a clear agenda. With over 2,000 exhibitor booths, an exciting lineup of TED Talk-style presentations and even a beer garden on the trade show floor, The Expo packs a ton of opportunities into just a few days. Make a plan so you don’t miss out on anything.

2. Make some pre-event connections. Before heading to Vegas, reach out to people you want to meet or reconnect with. Hassan says you can simply send an email letting them know you’ll be at The Expo and would like to connect.

3. Create a meeting schedule. Attending workshops, presentations, meetings and panel discussions is how you network at a conference, Hassan says. Remember you can’t squeeze in every last session, so prioritize what matters most.

4. Use social media. While at an event like The PPAI Expo, Hassan recommends sharing about your experience and tagging people you meet. She says you can also leave compliments about people’s panels and the trade show itself.

5. Stay approachable to other people. In other words, be open to interactions. Don’t stare at your phone or spend all your time at the bar. Hassan says you should come off as approachable and interested to talk.

6. Prepare to break the ice. According to Hassan, you should be the one who starts a conversation and keeps it going. This is especially important, she says, if you’re not a higher-up executive. You’ll likely have to approach other people rather than have them come to you. 

7. Ask leading questions. Instead of small talk, be more specific to get the networking conversation flowing. Try asking questions like, “What sessions are you excited about?” or “What have you enjoyed about The Expo so far?”

8. Attend as much as you can. From education sessions to meet-ups to dinners, try to participate in as much as possible. Of course, don’t go overboard, Hassan says. It’s better to focus on the most meaningful sessions and events instead of just trying to pack your schedule.

Networking isn’t just about swapping business cards but rather making genuine connections with people. The interactions you have next week could lead to new partnerships, business opportunities and career growth. Now, on to The Expo! See you in Vegas.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Syeda Hamna Hassan is a senior content marketer at vFairs, a cloud-based event management platform. She has over 6 years of experience writing content for SaaS, IT and telecommunications industries.