All entries tagged with “conference”
Seven Tips for Appointment-Based Events
Appointment-based events challenge a traditional trade show in the sense that your presence matters. While sitting across from a potential client or solution provider, your interactions are vital to build a working relationship that will benefit you both. Event organizers work diligently to make meaningful introductions with the potential to build future business relations – we make the connection, the rest is up to you. Here are just a few tips to make your networking at these events a success:
You wouldn't sign up for speed dating, and then stand up your date, so attend your business meetings as though your love life depends on it. Standing up a potential client or solution provider is not only rude, but it’s also a bad representation of your company. At an appointment-based event, you are meeting face-to-face with elite business professionals – a quality meeting like this is rare and deserves attention. 2. Ditch the Sales Pitch Appointment-based events are a ‘no-hard sell’ zone. Networking at these events is primarily about building relationships rather than immediate sales. People do business with people they like – get to know the person you could potentially work with and their company, then pursue a working relationship. 3. Ask Questions Don’t be afraid to ask questions. This is key when meeting new people, especially in a business setting where you are learning about their company. The more you ask, the clearer vision you will have, and even more importantly – the better conversation you will have! The more you learn, the better advice and solutions you can give and as Joshua Krane, the CEO at Ciplex says, “If someone likes them [your ideas], chances are they will hire you to execute them.” 4. Listen! “One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” Listening on both sides of the table is effective in identifying needs and finding solutions. As Megan Duckett of Sew What, Inc.? said, “Not every communication is an opportunity to blow your own business trumpet. Sometimes you may find yourself sharing information about another company or service that you have heard of.” Listen, learn and find solutions. 5. Relax & Enjoy the Experience An appointment-based event is a less stressful environment. You are not overwhelmed by booths and numerous representatives, it is an intimate and luxurious experience designed so that business executives can have productive and quality meetings. These events are also jam-packed with other networking activities, all of which take place in a beautiful venue. Enjoy it – because a month down the line, when you reconnect with your new contacts, you will have a shared experience to build the foundation of a fruitful business relationship. 6. Smile! The energy at these events is electric – a positive attitude and approachable demeanor is vital! Again, people do business with people they like – so be likable, polite and have meaningful meetings – whether you think there’s a business relationship to be had or not, a positive representation goes a long way! 7. Follow Up If You Say You Will If you tell someone you’re going to email them, email them. If you say you’ll reach out to them via phone, call them. From beginning to end, leave a lasting impression – make your attendance work for you and follow up with your new business connections promptly. 
795 Meetings Conducted at Facilities Management Summit - Houston, TX
Delegate attendees, including facility directors from ACE Cash Express, Biscuitville, City of Houston, Cracker Barrel, Enanta Pharmaceuticals, General Electric, HHS, Panda Restaurant Group, Inc., Penske Automotive Group, Race Trac, Speedy Cash Holding and The Apparel Group, met with providers for a total of 795 combined meetings over the day-and-a-half with solution providers including Architectural Graphics, Inc., Axis Communications, Detex, Egan Sign, MySmartPlans, Lightstat, Inc., Veritiv and Service Channel. “This was extremely well done. Enjoyed the format, the pace, the flow. List of delegates was excellent. Avigilon has absolutely added revenue to the pipeline, established new relationships and even bolstered old ones. Will definitely be at the next event,” says Avigilon, who attends numerous summits, including the most recent in Houston, Texas.
Delegate attendees made new connections while also learning about new solutions as part of the seminar program at the summit. Biscuitville returned to this summit, saying “As this has been my third show in which I continue to meet people in the industry, it’s a smaller summit which gives you a better insight of meeting vendors and industry peers.” Following the event, the Forum Team has received feedback from delegate attendees and all have reported they intend to do business with at least one connection they made at the summit.
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The Facilities Management Summit dodged flash floods in the Houston Galleria area in the first week of June. As facility directors from the area gathered at the JW Marriott, the skies cleared, setting the scene for the second Facilities Management Summit of 2015.
