Make Trade Shows Work For You

 Hey guys, it's Rachel Cobb. You know, in the multifamily industry we have several seasons and one season that we have that's quickly approaching is trade show season. You know 'em, you love 'em. This is where you can get your stock of coozies for the year, water bottles that are snazzy and any other little gadgets that you see given out as swag.

But I often see maintenance personnels not taking full advantage of the opportunities that are presented to them at a trade show. This is your opportunity to really deepen your roster for your contacts, for vendors and contractors, and any of the needs that you're gonna have coming up for your property.

You are already in the know of what is being planned out. If you're gonna need a new golf cart in the coming years, if you know you guys are looking to do some asphalt work, or you're gonna be doing, uh, some roofing in the future, this is your opportunity to meet those individuals who are exhibiting at the trade show that can benefit you in your, in the future, can help make your job easier.

Uh, they're gonna be wanting to work with you. They're paying money to be there and to exhibit, and they want to speak with you. They want to make a connection with you to do business with you. I highly advise that while, yeah, all the swag is great, go there with a plan. Like if you know for sure that your property needs to have two or three projects done in the upcoming year.

Start reaching out to those contacts now. Start developing those relationships so that you're not running around at the last minute trying to make the owners and your property managers happy of getting bids from people who aren't qualified. Because if your companies like most, they have to meet all the vendor qualifications.

So you could waste your time speaking with people that won't be able to get qualified to be an approved vendor with your, uh, company. But most of the people that are exhibiting at the trade shows are in the multifamily industry. They know the ins and outs of what is required and their property already set up, and whatever vendor requirement is needed for your property.

So if you guys are going to trade shows this season, I highly recommend you go there prepared, not just looking for some cool swag to take home, but to have a list. Prepared for you to be ready to engage specifically and target out exhibitors that are there for your future needs. Help them make your job easier.

So good luck out there this trade show season, and I hope you do snag some cool swag. Have a good one.