| My email is overflowing with seminar information | | | | worthy of your time or is it just a company |
| about programsat upcoming trade shows. I'm like | | | | "advertorial." In my opinion, most of the time |
| every one else whose time isat a premium. How | | | | these sessionsaren't worth investing your time. |
| can I maximize my time when I am at the show? | | | | Watch out for "free" sessionstoo. Unless this is a |
| How can I stay informed with the latest | | | | "paid" expert hired to increase showattendance, |
| innovations? | | | | it's usually not worth going. |
| Almost every trade event now has a conference | | | | Can you access the information or material in any |
| track that runsconcurrently. These are usually well | | | | other way? Iknow in my case when I speak its |
| publicized in advance sohave time to register and | | | | based on recent research which I turn into a |
| in most instances are able get adiscount for early | | | | report that can be purchased after the event. |
| registration. In some cases the conference is in | | | | Many times you can find an article or report for |
| advance of the actual show so it doesn't detract | | | | purchase that covers the same subject also. Look |
| from time in front of the exhibitors. In any case | | | | for sessions with information that you can't get in |
| it's wise to plan your conference schedule as early | | | | any other way or ones that have a "stellar" |
| as possible. | | | | selection of presenters. If you can't attend a |
| Look at your travel agenda and determine how | | | | particular session, find out if it will be repeated or |
| much time you canset aside to attend a | | | | how you can access the information after the |
| conference session/s. Review the | | | | event. |
| programinformation. In most cases there will be a | | | | See how long the session will be and at what time |
| very diverse selection of offerings. Look to see | | | | of day. Can you combine a session with your |
| who the session is targeting. If your title or job | | | | lunch break? Breakfast sessions have now |
| description is listed then it's a good bet this is | | | | become very popular. Why not eat and learn at |
| something you should attend. Check out the | | | | the same time? Is the information something that |
| speakers and their companies. Are these the | | | | can benefit others in your organization? Get some |
| people you want to meet? Can you benefit from | | | | brownie points by coming back withvaluable |
| their expertise? It's easy to check out your | | | | insights. |
| speakers by doing a GOOGLE search. Type in the | | | | If you have no reference point for any of the |
| presenters name in quotations and see what | | | | sessions, look tosee who is a sponsor. Is it a |
| turns up. | | | | company that has a good reputation or a trade |
| Is the session presenting "fresh" material or | | | | organization that you respect? You can always call |
| trotting out someold "has been" that hasn't had a | | | | them and ask about the speakers or the event. |
| new thought in 20 years? Note:many of the | | | | You can even complain to them if the speaker is |
| conferences do not pay speakers; they hope | | | | a "dog." So whatever seminar you decide to |
| thatcompanies will provide speakers for free to | | | | attend be sure and plan early and maximize your |
| promote theirproducts and services. So it's | | | | time at the event. |
| important to determine whetherthis "content" is | | | | |