Top tips for visiting an Expo – how to make the most of your day

Exhibition season is now well underway so I thought it might be helpful to share my top tips for getting the most out of attending an Expo as as a visitor.

* The most important bit of advice I can share is that an Expo is really just a (very!) large networking event, so even if you have a couple of specific people you want to speak to, don’t place any restrictions on who you talk to; chat to anyone and everyone – you never know who they are connected to

* Plan to spend the whole day there so you really can talk to as many people as possible

* Make sure you attend a couple of the seminars and really engage with them – take notes, participate if requested and ask questions/make comments at the end

* Go round the exhibition and try to talk to someone on every stand – yes I did say every! If that sounds daunting remember people on exhibition stands want to talk to you; so just go up to them with a smile, say hello and start a conversation…

* Never forget the classic conversation starter in the tea room of asking how the coffee dispenser works. I’ve had some lovely chats which started like that

* If you sit next to someone you don’t know – in a seminar or the tea room – introduce yourself; remember this is a networking event!

* Finally, make sure you stay for the Speed Networking at the end – yes it’s crazy, noisy and there is always one conversation when you lose your voice and can’t hear a thing, but it is great fun and everyone is always smiling at the end