With the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association’s National Meeting upon us, we’d like to take a moment to provide a few tips on how to get the most value out of the time and money you spend traveling to and attending trade shows.
Tips for Maximizing Your Return on Trade Show Attendance
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Spend some time walking the exhibit floor, stopping by the booths of companies whose products you recommend and use. Let them know what you like and don’t like about their products. Ask questions and don’t be afraid to be honest. Often, companies offer free sampling and prototype testing opportunities to customers who are willing to provide feedback.
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Create a schedule of the educational lectures & workshops you’d like to attend. They provide a great way to learn about new concepts, products and methods of improving your day-to-day operations, saving time and money. You’ve already paid for these events, so take the opportunity to soak up some knowledge while you’re there.
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Take advantage of the ability to sit down with your peers and company representatives for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Meals are a great opportunity to build stronger, mutually beneficial relationships. Everybody needs to eat!
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Don’t miss out on the sponsored networking opportunities that most trade shows provide. Social events provide a more relaxed environment for discussion.
- Follow up with people you’ve connected with as soon as you get home. Sending handwritten letters and emails ensure that your conversation won’t soon be forgotten.
If you’re an O&P practitioner, technician, business manager or supplier, the September 2010 issue of the O&P Almanac offers additional tips on how to ensure the most out of your National Assembly experience.
As a product design & manufacturing company, the staff at Tamarack Habilitation Technologies truly values every opportunity to converse with our customers. We want YOU to tell us what you like (or don’t like) about our products and the way you purchase and use them. Without your feedback, we can’t continue to provide new products of great value and effectiveness. Stop by booth # 1021 at the 93rd annual AOPA National Assembly to share your feedback.