Archive for March, 2010

Using Business Conferences to Cultivate New Contacts – By Jenny Heart

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Most conference organizers offer comprehensive guidance for all phases of preparation and attendance and publish guides and manuals, to include most forms and required paperwork for overseas events. Trade shows and live conferences are held all over the world, for almost every conceivable commercial endeavor, which, if a business wants to enter the international marketplace, testing the waters for your industry group at a trade show overseas will provide opportunity, not only to meet potential customers, but allows for immersion into the business and social culture of that country. And of course, there are several steps that have to take place before one hops on a plane with a suitcase filled with samples and brochures. It is also an opportunity to research various import and export laws and get familiar with the steps necessary to take if conference materials have to be shipped through customs and then transported to the venue.

Live trade shows and conferences have always been an ideal step in building and maintaining a business within many different industry groups. Companies present everything from their printed sales materials to samples of their products along with their top sales people making sure that every visitor receives V.I.P. attention. For vendors attending these provide a place to showcase their products and services in a very personal and creative way. And there is nothing like one-on-one interaction to build trusted business relationships that can last through the years.

These connections also tend to cultivate new contacts as one trusted customer spreads the word about a good product or service to their contacts at the trade show and the network is built and strengthened. Actually, this is the way that business has been built for centuries or longer, and even with the explosion of the digital communications, is still the most effective way to introduce products and services. marcus evans, one of the premier live conference and trade show producers grew, in large part, from this organic method of expansion. And for steady and sustainable growth, business relationships should begin on solid person-to-person interaction.

Most industry or trade groups know the value of these types of events and plan them years in advance. From the conference venue to the host hotels, group transportation and even after-hour social events are meticulously coordinated. Conference organizers marcus evans would be the standard to strive for when it comes to creating a complete live conference experience and has been used as a benchmark of excellence.

Live gatherings of industry groups along with their supporting organizations and suppliers is just the beginning of a successful marketing plan and then can be strengthened and maintained with email and phone communications.

Although national and international conferences are a fantastic opportunity to expand business contacts, local and regional trade and live gatherings should not be ignored. As transportation costs have risen exponentially over the last few years, more emphasis is being placed on cultivating business through local economies. Of course this all depends on what an individual business’s focus is but if a product and service is not overly specialized there may be many opportunities in the local market.

About the Author

By Jenny Heart. marcus evans professional training provided at marcus evans business conferences worldwide. Learn more about marcus evans global summits.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Jenny-Heart/72362

How Small Business Owners Can Benefit from Networking – By Jenny Heart

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Websites, like marcus evans, one of the premier trade show and live conference organizers always includes detailed information and highly organized for ease of finding out the answers to everyone’s questions- from visitors to exhibitors. Usually information is divided into major categories for attendees and exhibitors. And for your first experience there are a few steps that should be taken even before deciding whether to attend or not.

Some new entrepreneurs may make the mistake of thinking it necessary to jump right in as either a presenter for a workshop or exhibitor. This may not be the best way to start and may be a costly misstep. Small business owners can benefit from many forms of person-to-person networking. The companies, depending on the type of hard-goods supplied or service offered, can choose a wide range of events either with a booth or as an attendee. The best way to learn about any industry or trade gathering is to simply attend these events, even though a great deal of information is offered, which gives the impression of full knowledge of the more esoteric elements that aren’t identified in conference literature.

The first step that should be taken for attending an event is to look over the list of businesses that will be participating as exhibitors, and then find out more about who they are and what they offer to the industry. Depending on whether this is a regional, national, or international industry trade show, the search could take a considerable amount of time. However, this is important preparation and don’t forget to take note of those businesses that either are selling similar products or services, these would be some of the booths that you will want to visit. You will also want to make a list of those businesses that you may be able to do business with and if the booth layout is available make sure you know where the booths are located so not to waste time and energy searching them out during the event. They may or may not be direct competition but it is to your advantage to pay attention to how they present themselves.

Once you have researched exhibitors, it’s on to the workshops and posters that are going to be presented. It’s best to start creating your personal agenda for these events and don’t be afraid to fill most of your days with these free talks and workshops. At many of these events, for the attendance price, you can listen to experts in your industry field, like successful CEO’s, academics, marcus evans professionals and other industry leaders. If you are on a strict travel budget, make sure to check out the sponsored lunches during the event. These are usually sponsored by the larger companies at the trade show, to make sure to get more people to their booths for demonstrations and product launches.

Your notes of the good, the bad, the best and the worst will be your guide to building your business and making what you love to do a successful part of your life. During the event, and between either presentations or visiting all the booths, find a bench or seat somewhere and make a few notes. We always think we will remember everything but that usually isn’t the case. While you’re at it make sure to tuck away the business cards in a safe place and make some notes on the back of them. These can be anything from a special offer that you might have received to simply “I like this person and want to call him when I get home.” Remember, this experience will not only give you a closer look at your industry but will also give you lots of ideas for your first experience as an exhibitor yourself.

About the Author

By Jenny Heart. marcus evans professional training provided at marcus evans business conferences worldwide. Learn more about marcus evans global summits.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Jenny-Heart/72362