PPB January 2019

by Danielle Renda What’s Your Best Expo Advice? Q A DISTRIBUTOR ASKS: I’m heading to the PPAI Expo 2019 for the very first time this month, and I’ll probably be going by myself. Can you share some feedback, advice and experiences so that I feel prepared? A Plan your time on the show floor now . Based on the number of exhibitors on the floor, you physically cannot visit every single booth in the three days the floor is open. Decide who your must-sees are, then fill in with those you’d like to see, then leave some time for stops along the way. (You’re going to see something while you’re on the floor that you’ll want to check out. Just make sure you have time to do so.) If you’re flying and plan on bringing home catalogs and samples, fly in with a suitcase inside of a suitcase. Then when you’re ready to leave, use that extra suitcase to hold your catalogs and samples. Wear comfortable shoes. You’re going to be on your feet for 10 hours a day. The show floor is massive, and depending on where you stay, you could easily have a mile or two to walk just to get to the show. Make appointments with the suppliers you want to meet with. Most will schedule five- to 15-minute time blocks where you’ll have their undivided attention. Check out the PPAI-sponsored networking events, such as the Power of Two Party, as well as some of the other events, like PromoKitchen’s mixer. These are great networking opportunities to meet your industry peers. I’ve met quite a few over the years and always look forward to catching up with them. CHRIS CLARK, CAS Radius Marketing Solutions Warner Robins, Georgia Warning: it’s generally overwhelming for first-timers. Don’t worry about catalogs unless you have an immediate need. Every vendor is online, and it can become burdensome to carry them all. Take photos so that you will remember important products. Depending on time, you can first do an overview, then re-walk as you will have missed a lot. If you have specific vendors you want to see, mark them in your mobile SAGE app. Enjoy! SAM WEINBERG Focus Marketing Group, Inc. Louisville, Kentucky It’s a very big show. Take time to pick 10 to 20 suppliers that you must see and map them out. Visit those on one day. They could be suppliers you already have a good understanding of or ones that you want to check out. Just plan to spend 10 to 20 minutes at each of their booths. Gain a partner on the inside and figure out how they can help your business. Leave at least half a day, if not a full day, to wander the outskirts. Most of the big suppliers are front and center, but there are some hidden gems and good partners that are more personable in business. This can help you to idea-generate and sometimes discover solutions that you overlooked in the past. There are lots of good custom suppliers in this area. Bring good walking shoes. I don’t know if I’ve ever successfully walked the entire 12 | JANUARY 2019 | INNOVATE