IRCE is in ONE week! Luxury Interactive and eTail East are shortly after. NEMOA and Shop.Org’s Summit will be here before we know it! And there are many other opportunities to learn, all year round – regional shows, shows by vertical, user conferences, networking dinners and meetups -the list goes on!

Here are my tips on making the most out of these opportunities.

People attend events with one, some, or all of these goals:

1. Networking – Meet peers, build relationships, get re-acquainted.
2. Learning – Get data, advice and lessons learned from experts and peers.
3. Problem-Solving – Need something? Find something. Have a question? Get an answer.
4. Fun – Who turns down a trip to Vegas, or to Florida in the winter, right?

But sometimes you come away from a tradeshow overwhelmed, exhausted and confused.

Take some time to now to prepare, so you can get the most out of your next trip. Come home energized, educated and with a plan.

Networking is CRITICAL! Tradeshows are, by far, the best, most concentrated place to meet the people you should know. And to get honest opinions. (Note: more drinks = more honest opinions.)
The best places to network at a tradeshow are:

Sessions and Workshops.

• In smaller groups, you meet people who are interested in what you’re interested in. Probably a good basis for a conversation.

• Don’t you think you’d have something to share with the women sitting next to you at a Women in Ecommerce workshop or meetup?

• Take the opportunity to talk with the speakers and panelists afterward – that’s why they’re there.

• Don’t be shy – introduce yourself to speakers and other attendees.

Meals, Cocktail Hours and Parties

• Most people are open to exchanging ideas over a drink or a bite to eat. Warning: choose your lunch spot carefully. You’ll be there for the next 45 minutes. With no graceful exit.

• Nighttime Parties and Events – Always a must do. Again, great networking potential (and you need to kick back a little!) and it’s somehow different when you’re bonding over a ping pong game or on the dance floor. I’ve met many folks this way, who turned out to be strong players in my network… and good friends.

Learn. That is why you’re here (right?). And these events make it easy for you. Everything is right there. But check out the agenda ahead of time, prioritize, and set your strategy. Focus on what is most important to you or what you think you can’t find easily elsewhere.

• Sessions give you information and the speaker’s perspective. Get insight from the experts on cutting-edge technologies and practices, learn from their mistakes, and gather data that will help you meet your own business challenges.

• Workshops provide the “deep dive” into subjects that interest you. Get multiple perspectives from people with real-worldexperience. Put what you learn into an action plan that you can start on when you get back to your own “real world”. A good workshop is interactive, too, and facilitates back-and-forth with speakers as well as other attendees.

• Talk to the other attendees. Similar interests, similar challenges. Pick their brains for what works for them, what doesn’t, who they recommend (who they don’t).

• Leverage the experience of the vendors. They may be selling you something, but they are also sometimes the most knowledgeable because they see many successes and mistakes by your peers.

Solve your problems. You’ll rarely find so many people with the skills and the desire to help you, all in one place!

• Looking for an ecommerce solution or vendor? Take your pick. But do it in a smart way. Figure out what you need first, check who’s exhibiting, and map out your route.

• Do your homework. Understand your requirements. Bring a check list of what you need to find out and “tick off” your list in a quick chat with the vendor.

• Manage your time. It’s ok to say to an exhibitor that you just want the 5 minute reason why your business could use them. Then you can decide whether to dig deeper on the spot or at a later time.

Don’t forget to hydrate often and bring comfortable walking shoes, a stack of business cards, a plan, a good attitude … and stamina!  (And enjoy the boondoggle.)