Convention Fever: Tips for Survival and Profit

Convention fever has hit Florida.  Conventions, conferences, workshops and boot-camps bloom like pumpkin spice in Orlando in the fall.  In fact, we call it Convention Season.  And Bullhorn Media will be in the thick of it with video and photography.  Because we attend so many conventions, perhaps that’s why we were recently asked to give some advice on the topic.

Convention Attendance:  How To Get Your Money’s Worth

There is no question that thousands of convention attendees will pack halls and hotels.  The menu of conferences is amazingly varied.  At the Orange County Convention Center alone, the calendar is packed.  The schedule has everything from the obvious, “The Landscape Show” to the mysterious, “Stampin’ Up Onstage Live!,” to the serious,”American Pediatric Association,” to the artistic the Scottish Highland Dance Festival.

Year, after year, at such events we cannot help but notice hundreds of attendees who are not making their convention time and money count. Use this article as your guide to get more out of your convention.

You may be a newbie at your conference or an old hand at convention attendance.  Either way, you might benefit from a few of these Bullhorn Instant Tips.  In addition to just surviving, you might even enjoy your convention experience. In fact you might discover it is an invigorating renewal of your enthusiasm for your business.

    1. Hydration and Calories:

Creature comforts are important.  And you cannot keep up with the conference energy if you are not hydrated.  Carry water everywhere.  You can’t always eat healthy on your convention schedule, so carry energy bars, candy bars or soda crackers.  Even if snack bars or machines are available, the cost will probably be double, triple or higher.  Just don’t get caught without liquids or nourishment.

    2.  Dressing for Convention Success

Comfort is the most important element of convention attendee style.  The long walks and the long lines are unimaginable if you have never before been to a conference.  So, it’s wise to wear those walking shoes.  You know how to look casual without looking sloppy, so do it.  For those long treks between meetings, consider taking a backpack.  They provide a good way to carry those drinks and snacks mentioned above.

    3.  What’s In Your Wallet?

We know you have a budget, but be aware the trade show floor will provide some great shopping opportunities.  Bring some cash.  And realize you will very probably spend what you bring.  Be prepared to see temptations in equipment, services and new technologies you have never before imagined.

    4. Feed Your Phone

Keep your phone charged and pack a portable power battery. 

You will need extra phone power to stay in contact with friends, and take notes.  Your handy Smart phone will show you convention schedules,updates  and venue maps.  Just imagine not having your phone.—Oh, wait—that was the reality only two decades ago.  And they staged many conventions in those days. This point proves that technologies help, but in the end, conventions are all about person-to-person contact.

Still—we know phones are fabulous conveniences.  Just remember to turn it off for speakers.

And don’t use it to tweet so much that you miss what is going on in real time.

    5. Bring those Business Cards

Yes, we know it sounds old-fashioned, but business cards are still the convention attendee’s best friend.  Internet marketing guru, Neil Patel states, “It’s not cool to not have business cards. Recently, it has become a trend to not carry business cards, and this is a big mistake.  If you don’t make it easy for people to contact you, no one will.”  So, pack plenty of business cards for networking.  You will be surprised at how handy they are.

    6. Go to the Head of the Class

Whether your convention has classes, sessions or workshops, attend them.  You will note a lot of people who do not attend the sessions.  When Bullhorn is behind the camera at such events, we can’t help but wonder at the groups that just hang out at cafes and hall-ways.

We know there is a lot to learn from the experts who conduct classes and sessions.  Our advice is to take advantage of that expertise.  Mark your schedule ahead of time and decide what class sessions might increase your knowledge or your bottom line.

    7.  Another Special Trick

Then, arrive early and get a front seat.  You’ll see better, plus you might meet the speaker or the teacher.  And remember you might have to fight for that front seat at popular sessions.  Whatever your business is, the “rock-star” speakers will command some crowds.

You might discover your mentor.  But not if you are stuck in the back of the room.  Being in a front seat also tricks your brain into paying more attention.  What you learn is knowledge you have bought with your convention ticket, so make the dollars count.

7.  Know Who You Are-The Elevator Speech

No business card can really capture the essence of you.  So be prepared to pitch yourself.  Although seldom used in an elevator, this little pitch is called an elevator pitch by many conventioneers.  Find out more at this convenient online resource.

In 30 seconds or less, be prepared to state your name, what you do, and why you are at this convention.  With this basic summary in mind, it might not be so scary to mingle or even introduce yourself.  The opportunity pops up more often than you might guess.

8. Commit to the Moment

This won’t be the last convention you attend.  So keep in mind you cannot hear every speaker or meet everyone.  Try to concentrate on creating valuable relationships.

It is impossible to attend every workshop, but in between speakers and sessions, there is much to share and learn:  in the halls, the coffee shops, the bistros, and the trade show floor.

This is the part of the convention experience that is difficult to capture on paper.  Not only can you benefit from going to sessions, but from speaking with other attendees who went to different sessions.   Share what you learn and conversations come easier.

BullHorn Media thanks you for reading our blog and wishes you productive conventions with the “Wow Factor”