For online retailers, trade shows are an incredible opportunity to source goods, connect with wholesalers and manufacturers, and expand their product lines. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to attend trade shows. To get the most out of your experience, you need to prepare.
Requirements to Register
Because trade shows are only open to the industry insiders, you have to register to attend. You can preregister on a trade shows website. You’ll receive your badge in the mail and save yourself a lot of time standing in line when you arrive. There’s rarely a cost to register, but you will have to provide proof you’re a legitimate business:
- your business license, or tax ID
- your resale certificate
- a photo ID
- a business card, or check-in your business name
A Wealth of Information
Be sure to pick up a show directory when you get there they’ll contain contact information for every exhibitor at the show. Very often the phone numbers and websites in them are intended for retailers only and aren’t available anywhere else. Get as many different supplier catalogs as you can. The products on display are only a fraction of their lines. Even if you don’t see anything at their booth that interests you, they may have hundreds of other products in their catalogs that may be perfect for you.
Know What You’re After
If you’re in the market for a specific type of product, you can look at the trade show’s website and see what exhibitors will be there. If you sell boxing gear and attend a sporting goods show, you might look for the suppliers that sell boxing equipment. You can get their booth numbers and map out a plan for navigating the show to hit every supplier you want to talk to.
Have a Product Sourcing Mindset
Having a game plan doesn’t mean overlooking exhibitors who aren’t on your shortlist. Says Suttora, If you’re going to look for specific products, that’s fine. But you also want to keep an open mind and look at all the suppliers because you never know when you’re going to come across a product or supplier that you may not have thought about, that could be very good for your business.
