6 Post-show Practices You Should Be Using

July 14, 2012

Christina Hernandez

Christina Hernandez is new media coordinator at GES, where she manages GES’ corporate blog and their social media community.

Our show schedule is jammed packed most of the time. Planning strategically for the pre- and during show periods is important, but after making the exhibiting investment, many organizations neglect what happens after the show. Communicating with attendees and continuing the conversation is key to maintaining relationships and sealing business partnerships.

Imagine training for a marathon for months, running the marathon, but not crossing the finish line. It doesn’t make sense. After all the effort you put into pre-show and at-show planning, why not invest in your post-show follow up?

Here are six post show practices that you should be using:

1. Organize the information you collected right after the show.If it’s for your co-workers, sort and distribute to each team member. If you’re the only person responsible for the content, sort it by priority.

2. Always follow through as soon as possible. Taking detailed notes makes the process of following up easier. If you said you’d follow up with pricing or a case study, do it right away, at the show if possible. If it’s a post-show call or email, reference what you discussed or data collected to provide more value.

3. Update your database and capture contact details and interests of the new people you met. Add post-show communication to the record as well.

4. Review notes on which exhibits or displays you thought were most effective and why. What did they do that you could implement in your marketing campaign? Do the same for your own exhibit. What would you do differently next time?

5. Review all metrics from your exhibit experience and marketing campaign. Did you achieve your goals? What can you do differently next year?

6. Develop a communication plan for speaking with new contacts throughout the year. When next year’s show approaches, you’ll be old friends.

By following these simple post-show practices all of your pre-show planning and post-show follow up will be worth the effort. You’ll reap the benefits when your show attendance makes a difference long after the show floor closed.

Do you have any post-show tips that didn’t make or list? Share them with our fans on Facebook!

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Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact