With IPC Apex Expo 2019 coming up next week, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about some of my ideas for helping visitors who are not exhibiting, but are attending the show. Obviously, we have talked a great deal about how to get the most of your dollars when you exhibit at a trade show; and yes, we have talked about walking a show a show as well.  But it’s been a while and I thought this would be a good time for a review. With this in mind here are some of the best things you can do to get the most from your time at IPC Apex Expo

1. Check out the equipment. A trade show is great place to get your first look at some of the new equipment that is being introduced to the market. Take a walk around, and see what’s new. Take the time to stop, and really look the equipment over, talk to the people selling it, take notes and get a good understanding of what the equipment is, what it can do. Then compare and contrast that equipment with similar equipment being shown by different competing companies. A trade show is a great time to scout out equipment you are thinking of buying either this week or later in the year. By the way, a trade show is a great time to make a deal on a piece if equipment you want to buy. The last thing the manufacturers want is to ship their demos back to the company. They would rather ship them to your company instead. And as a bonus for buying equipment at the show, there is nothing better than to have the name of your company on a newly purchased piece of equipment for people to see for the remainder of the exhibition.
2. Meet up with your customers. The IPC Apex Expo  is our industry’s biggest event of the year, so it’s a great time to meet up with your customers who will also be in San Diego. There is no better time of the year to have meetings with as many of your customers as possible. Just think of the travel expenses you’re saving by meeting up with four or five of your good customers from all over the country. All for the same expenses of just one trip! Make sure you plan these meetings in advance. Don’t try to wing it, this will not work. Set the times and meeting places in advance for the ultimate meeting time efficiencies.
3. Learn what’s new in technology. IPC offers many classes that you can attend where companies are anxious to tell you about their new technology and other developments in the industry. There are press conferences, and presentations going on all day, every day, and all you have to do is register. Check out the show guide, and choose the subjects you want to learn about. Once again, there is no better time of the year when you can learn so much in so little time.
4. Find the right people. Whether, you want to hire and engineer, or a Quality manager or direct sales people, or reps, this week in San Diego is the perfect time to meet and interview people you would like to bring into your company. Once again, set the meetings up in advance, and schedule them very carefully to get the biggest bang for your precious time.
5. Do some sales. There is nothing wrong with stopping by the booth of a company you would like to do business with, and talking about your products. Visit potential customers at their booths’, introduce yourself, and take a moment or two to tell them about your products and services. Who knows, you might walk away with a new customer. Wouldn’t that be time and money well-spent?
6. And do a little marketing. Stop by the Iconnect 007 booth and talk to them about doing an  interview either audio, video, or print. This a great opportunity to tell your story, talk about your products and services. I’d advise you to get to know the great team at Iconnect, they have helped literally hundreds of companies tell their stories and increase their sales. Stop by and see what they can do for you.
7. And finally, set your goals in advance. Figure out what it is you want to get out of the show, and then plan on how you will accomplish that. I’ll say it again, don’t wing it! Plan in advance so that you will use every minute of your time in at IPC Apex Expo 2019 to the fullest. It’s only common sense.