Ten good reasons for visiting an exhibition

Having spare time is increasingly rare for many engineers and designers, so the simplest solution is to decide not to go to that trade fair.  After all, you won’t have to get the boss to okay it and you won’t have to arrange transport to get there.  So why do so many of your competitor’s engineers take the time and trouble to attend.

The most common reason for visiting a trade exhibition is to see what is new.  How can else can you see so many new products from a range of potential supplier and see ideas about what other companies are doing.   Beyond this some of the more popular reasons include:

1. Find out what your existing suppliers neglected to tell you

2. Evaluate new products and suppliers

3. Keep abreast of industry and market developments
4. Attend industry seminars to gain insightful keynotes from thought-leaders and innovators
5. Evaluate competitors
6. Discover new, more cost-effective solutions to existing processes
7. Gain new ideas and insights to grow your business
8. Stay up-to-date with emerging or changing trends

9. Get expert advice on the specific challenges faced by your business
10. To network/develop new and existing business contacts

If your manager still is not convinced, you can gain more value from visiting a trade show by setting some objectives for the visit, such as:

– Find 3 ways to improve you production or processes

– Find 3 new suppliers

– Loof for a new product or service that your company could sell

– Find new agents or distributors

– See how your existing supplier can help you get more from their products

Now, see what you are missing?