MBEConnect will be attending the 2010 NMSDC Convention later this month in Miami, and we are excited to participate again this year. With over 6,600 people expected to attend this year’s conference, it has become one of the best ways make new business contacts and get the latest leads on new business opportunities. The conference experience can be overwhelming to some newcomers, so it is important to ensure that you plan ahead and stay focused on a few key areas to get the most out of the conference. To prepare for this year’s conference, here are a few tips and areas of focus to help you get the most out of your experience at the conference.
Before You Go
Prior to the conference, make sure you have enough business cards and collateral material to bring to the show, but don’t go overboard. You probably shouldn’t take hundreds of copies of your marketing copy unless you have a booth, you certainly won’t want to have to carry them around and corporate partners are unlikely to take them.
Set goals for numbers of new contacts or business leads to stay on track throughout the event. Plan well and be sure to practice your business pitch before you arrive to help you stay focused and make the strongest impression possible. Bring a bag or satchel to carry your presentation and to collect promotional items.
If you use social media for your business, be sure to announce that you will be attending the conference and see if you can make any early plans to meet with other businesses or corporate partners. It’s a great way to meet new contacts at corporations and learn about available contracts.
Business Opportunity Fair
The NMSDC Conference will feature a variety of workshops, plenary sessions and information sessions, but the most valuable component to corporate partners and MBEs is the Business Opportunity Fair. This is event compromises the bulk of the second day and is broken down into four sections, and the most important part is the open opportunity fair open after lunch. There will be at least 660 booths set up, each representing a different MBE or corporate partner. This doesn’t leave a lot of time to visit each booth, so be sure to prioritize the list of corporations and MBEs you want to talk to and plan a path.
If you have social media accounts and accessible devices, using social media, such as Twitter during this portion of the event can be a good way to send and recieve information about the best booths to visit.
After the Conference
When you get back to the office following the conference, don’t focus solely on catching up on what you missed while gone. Start acting on your leads and contacts before others beat you to the punch. Categorize your contacts and business leads, the first three weeks are the most important time to reinforce contacts and follow-up on business leads. High priority contacts and leads should be acted upon within a week, and moderate ones within three weeks. Reach out to important contacts on social media sites if your business utilizes social media.
[...] as a Media Sponsor. This can’t miss event is only a few days away. Just as we did with the NMSDC Conference in Miami last year, MBEConnect wants to share some conference tips to help you get the most out of the [...]