Attend a Cleaning Trade Show for a More Successful Business!

As a small business owner, I'm sure you have received many invitations to attend a trade show. If you are anything like I was, these invites ended up in the proverbial "circular file." You probably thought they were for corporate big-wigs or for those who needed an excuse to attend a "convention" on the company dime, when in fact you were looking for a mini-vacation. Those thoughts are misconceptions. Trade shows serve a useful purpose for the commercial and residential cleaning service owners. Like most things in this world, it is all about your attitude going into it, how much work you put into it, and what you do with the knowledge you learn.

In this two-part article, you will learn about what trade shows are, how to prepare for them, what to do while attending one, and the benefits you can achieve.

What is a trade show? Simply put, a trade show is a gathering of companies in a specific industry who demonstrate or showcase their latest services or products, and can be utilized to get information on competition, trends, and opportunities in their field. Companies set up displays intended to inform attendees of their offerings, and are part of an aggressive marketing strategy. In the cleaning business, the ISSA offers the largest and most important trade show in the industry. If you can only attend one trade show, this should be the one.

Another important aspect to the trade show is the education seminars that are available as part of the cost of admission. These seminars provide current information and training by experts in the industry. Two of the ISSA seminars that will be presented this fall are: The Changing Face of the Residential Cleaning Industry from ARCSI or Tips and Tricks to Double or Triple Your Business in Challenging Times . Don't miss out on the chance to learn valuable information.

What do you need to do before attending a trade show? Well, the foremost thing is to overcome the two biggest excuses people give for NOT attending one. The number one excuse is "Who will take care of my business while I'm gone?" While your company may be your "baby," leaving it in the capable hands of a friend, colleague, or trusted employee is a simple answer. Plus, you are only a phone call away for any emergencies that may come up. Also, let your customers know you will be out of town, making sure they have contact information for whoever is filling in for you. You can explain to them how you are leaving to attend a function that will hopefully benefit your company, which in turn may benefit them through increased productivity, lower costs, or increased performance. Always think MARKETING!

Second, many people will consider the cost to attend a trade show as prohibitive. Plane fare, food, lodging, transportation, and ticket prices are the primary costs to attend. Obviously, you attend a trade show to learn the things that make you more profitable. You need to evaluate the long term benefits vs. the short term costs of attending. You may take a hit up front, but if you take advantage of all the learning opportunities available, the end result will be worth it.

Once you've decided to attend the trade show, plan ahead.

To get the most from attending a trade show, you should have a strategy. Knowing what you would like to accomplish before, during, and after the show will help maximize your time. Here are some trade show planning tips:

1. Pre-register so you don't run into problems and waste time once you're there. In all the trade shows we've been to, it's always been a breeze at registration.
2. Keep your eyes open for networking opportunities. Industry leaders attend trade shows, and they're great people to know. Be social at the educational seminars - now is the time to hand out some of those business cards you've brought along.
3. You'll probably be put on an email list and will start receiving emails from vendors. Sometimes they can be annoying, but take a look at them anyway--some of them have some great new products that you might want to look at.
4. Make a list of the vendors you definitely want to visit so you don't miss them. If there are new products being advertised, be sure to check out any that you're interested in. If there is a vendor or rep you want to specifically talk to during the show, consider setting up an appointment with them so you don't waste time or miss them when you get to the booth.
5. Spend a little time researching the vendors, so that you'll have a clear idea of who you need to see, and what you need to learn from them. That way you'll have useful questions to ask, and will have to waste a minimum amount of time with small talk.
6. Some vendors will advertise booth specials ahead of time, so make a list of any you want to check out.
7. If you can bring a key employee or spouse, it would be good for the educational seminars. You'll want to split up and each attend different seminars to you don't miss something--you can't be in two places at once!
8. Register, book your hotel, air fare and transportation early. Usually the trade show will provide transportation to the show if you book at one of the trade show hotels.

In Part Two, we will look at the things you need to be doing while attending a trade show, what to do afterwards, and all the benefits you can achieve.

Special Note!  We have partnered up with ISSA to allow YOU to register HERE and save $590 on their non-member registration fee! PLUS, when you register here, you'll receive 50% off any CD or DVD we sell on this site - just stop by our booth (#2200) to make your selection. If you've ever thought about attending this HUGE industry trade show, this is the year to go.

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Jean Hanson helps owners of small cleaning companies build a more profitable and successful cleaning business through her online community at TheJanitorialStore.com. Read inspirational cleaning success stories at http://www.cleaning-success.com,

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