Here's how you can efficiently manage your time while traveling to and from trade shows.

When planning for a trade show, the planning usually starts at the event. The best price and availability of booths are at the event site. Next, usually hotel & travel are booked 6 months ahead of time to ensure you get the preferred hotel with discount pricing. Air Travel can be later but the earlier you book, generally saves more money.

Travel time can often be more wasteful than productive. There are enough issues with traveling that can sideline your thought process. Begin by downloading any app that is offered by the trade show organizer. Names, faces, organizations...begin to absorb as much as you can. Don't worry about uploading it into your CRM. That's for later. I take screenshots of the people I want to meet.

Managing your time efficiently while traveling to and from trade shows is crucial to maximize the benefits of attending such events. Here are some tips to help you manage your time effectively: Plan Ahead: Research the exhibitors, speakers, and agenda items in advance. Create a detailed schedule that includes your must-attend sessions, meetings, and any other important event you wish to participate in. Set Clear Objectives: Know what you want to achieve from the trade show. Whether it's networking, exploring partnership opportunities, or learning from industry experts, having clear goals will help you prioritize your time.

In my experience, nothing beats having a plan... ...research WHO will be exhibiting...know WHOM you want to speak to...and ASK lots of questions (don't forget be genuine, listen and take notes) from those who you do meet. Lastly, FOLLOW UP after the event!

For any visit to a tradeshow, the planning should happen well in advance. There's always the temptation to leave planned interactions until you arrive at the location, when the final show program is available. Don't do this. Even if exhibitor lists, presentation schedules, etc may still be changing, try to have at least the framework of a plan before you get on the plane. Leave time between experiences to reset for the next interaction and to shoot out quick follow-ups to your home team. Mentally close the previous meeting before opening the door for the next meeting.

Packing is essential part of the show as well as shipping in time. I once had to do a show without equipment because it wasn't prepared in time. Sometimes, last minute packages can be put on the airplane, but you may risk delays or lost luggage. Often bags can be put in the overhead bin. This allows quick arrivals to the hotel. This way you can either meet more people or catch up on emails from being out of the office.

Mobility and Efficiency: A well-edited, versatile wardrobe and carry-on focus keeps you light on your feet and ready to navigate the busy show floor. No time wasted on wardrobe changes or lost luggage woes. Preparedness: Bringing essentials like business cards, promotional materials, and tech eliminates last-minute scrambling and ensures you're always ready to make a great impression and capture leads. Focus: Packing with a purpose – every item contributing to your goals – keeps you focused on the task at hand: generating leads, networking, and achieving your trade show objectives.

Regardless all the available gadgets, I consider that old fashioned notebook where you can attach business cards and make notes about exibitors is essential tool for visiting any fair

Pack Smart: Bring a wheelie carryon and comfortable shoes. You'll likely collect brochures and other materials, so having a carryon will make it easier to transport these items.

I find that carry-on luggage alone will usually do me for a 2-3 day trip. But any longer, and checked baggage becomes unavoidable. In these cases, I will often go to the other extreme and max-out my luggage allowance. This allows me to bring extra items that I think might be hard to procure locally or needed in an emergency. Over the years I've packed everything from hand-tools and last-minute stand artworks, to a portable vacuum cleaner, when the event budget wouldn't stretch to daily stand cleaning. Ideally, packing for every event could be limited to a single piece of carry-on, but in reality that isn't always possible. So I say it's better to use the additional luggage space available to make sure you are as fully prepared as possible.

When the equipment wasn't available for the show. We rented a tv and ran videos from my laptop on the TV to showcase our equipment. Mobile apps not only work for the travel portion but also for navigating the show, finding our booth and equipment arrivals.

Seamless Travel: Mobile apps for airlines and hotels streamline check-in and access to travel information, minimizing airport and arrival hassles. This frees up valuable time and mental space for the show itself. Informed Navigation: Trade show apps (if available) provide real-time updates, floor plans, and scheduling tools. This empowers you to navigate efficiently, target specific booths and attendees, and maximize your networking and learning opportunities. Digital Organization: Having digital copies of documents (passport, ID, tickets) on your phone eliminates the risk of loss and allows for quick access during check-in or security screenings.

Use Technology: Utilize event tech tools like mobile event apps for registration, ticketing, and networking. These can save you time and keep you organized.

I like to have tablets available on the stand too. If you have your product brochures, catalogues and videos downloaded, as well as any company apps, they can be great show-and-tell tools. They're especially good for smaller / limited budget tradeshow attendance, because you can completely omit the need for hard copy brochures, and just email relevant documents directly to prospective customers - obviously having first obtained their email address, making it a handy lead-gathering tool as well. Also, if everything is saved to the device you're not at the mercy of dodgy wifi connections.

Usar la tecnología a tu favor puede marcar una gran diferencia. Emplea aplicaciones que organicen tus itinerarios, reservas y recordatorios de forma automática. Lleva dispositivos adecuados como laptop o tablet, asegurándote de tener acceso a internet móvil para poder trabajar desde cualquier lugar. Mantén todos tus archivos importantes sincronizados en la nube para acceder a ellos en cualquier momento y lugar.

Every event has good apps these days. Use your flight time to get online and network through the event app. Know who your most important connections are and make a plan to meet them for more than just a short meeting. I always allocate my breakfasts, lunches and dinners when possible for my most important meetings. If I didn't have a chance to do that before, I get online while in flight and use the event app, or direct emails to do it then.

I always try to talk to people in airport lines, on the plane and while waiting for luggage. You may never know who might be a good prospect or referral client for your equipment. Always be friendly and courteous, willing to help others and you'll never believe what may develop. Remember to respect people's privacy if they don't wish to network.

Be Observant: Read the situation and gauge if someone seems open to conversation. Respect personal space and avoid being overly aggressive. Start with Open-Ended Questions: "Heading to the trade show too?" or "What brings you to [City]?" are great conversation starters. Listen Actively: Show genuine interest in their industry, company, or purpose for attending. Exchange Information: If the conversation flows, politely exchange business cards or connect on LinkedIn to stay in touch after the event.

La red en ruta también es crucial. Descarga documentos, correos electrónicos y material de trabajo que puedas revisar offline, manteniendo la productividad incluso sin conexión. Aprovecha las redes sociales y las aplicaciones de networking para interactuar con otros asistentes y potenciales clientes antes, durante y después de la feria. Además, el tiempo de viaje puede ser una excelente oportunidad para escuchar podcasts y audiolibros relevantes para tu industria, lo cual te mantendrá informado y te proporcionará nuevos conocimientos

Stay healthy on your trip. If you left early in the morning. Drink plenty of liquids and eat during your stopovers. Once you get to your hotel. Get a meal, if its an open place you may be able to meet new friends or competitors. Be sure to ask questions so you can learn how to be ready. Then get a good night sleep. Travel can be hard on your body, especially if you've crossed time zones on minimal sleep.

Optimal Performance: Staying hydrated, eating healthy snacks, and getting enough sleep ensure you have the energy and focus to navigate the busy show floor, engage with potential customers, and make the most of every interaction. Minimized Disruptions: Maintaining a regular sleep schedule, even with time zone changes, helps minimize jet lag and keeps you sharp throughout the event. Increased Stamina: Incorporating light exercise into your routine boosts energy levels and combats fatigue, allowing you to stay active and engaged for longer.

Lleva contigo snacks saludables y mantente hidratado, evitando comidas pesadas o poco saludables que puedan afectar tu rendimiento. Mantén una rutina de ejercicios, incluso si es solo una caminata rápida, para mantener alto tu nivel de energía. Asegúrate de dormir lo suficiente y considera usar una máscara de ojos y tapones para oídos si tienes problemas para dormir en aviones o en hoteles ruidosos.

This is where you can make a successful difference. People who carve out time on the road to make notes, wrote thank you cards, enter customer information in the CRM….those are the individuals who will have balance when returning home. Instead of trying to remember key points or takeaways, who you promised what….it will all be there for you, organized and ready for next steps. I almost always carve out one hour in the day during trade events, sometimes it means being late to a reception or leaving the party a bit early. Never have I been unhappy with the choice.

Remember why you're there - it's easy to become distracted and start working on your daily tasks. Plan accordingly and manage your time wisely before and after the tradeshow to get the most of it.

Network with other vendors. Ask them about their experiences. You may meet someone who has a product you could represent when you return home. Volunteer to be on an industry board or advisory panel. This can help your company get approved for special product inserts or be listed in other industry publications. It also may lead to other contacts or deepen your relationship with current customers.

Stay at the Event Hotel: If possible, stay at the hotel associated with the event. This can save you travel time and provide more networking opportunities outside the official event hours. Prioritize Tasks: List all the tasks and meetings you need to complete. Allocate specific times for each task and prioritize them to ensure you achieve your most important objectives. Efficient Scheduling: Start with your trip itinerary and fill in meetings, allocate time for transportation, add buffer time for delays, and availability for other ad hoc tasks. By following above, you can ensure that your time at trade shows is well-spent and productive. Remember, every minute spent planning can save ten minutes in execution.

Get to know the stand-builders. I always arrive at least one day ahead of the show opening date, and make a point of going to the site to interact with the stand builders. That way, if there are any issues with the stand setup, delivery of samples etc., you can find out about it and help find a solution, rather than turning up on the morning of the event opening and finding out when it's too late. I also like to take the stand build team out for a meal and a drink after the setup is complete, to thank them for all their hard work. In my opinion it's just common politeness, but it also means that if something goes wrong with the stand during the course of the event, the stand-builders will have your back.