Tradeshow season is upon is and it’s the ideal opportunity to seek out new products and styles for your customers. Before packing your bags and donning your … tradeshow uniform, check out these tips for maximizing your tradeshow experience.

1. Check in with your top customers to find out what they need for the New Year. Ask them about any new business opportunities they have, what types of products are regularly requested and if there’s one item they really need to boost their sales. Use this as your guide for visiting with suppliers, checking out new products and exploring the latest and greatest industry news.

2. Be strategic in how you approach the tradeshow floor. When over 11,000 attendees attempt to tackle more than one million square feet of tradeshow and education space, it can be challenging to find exactly what you need. Use feedback from your customers as your blueprint for planning out which booths to visit, which educational sessions to attend and when to take a break!

3. Don’t forget about regional shows. Keep an eye on regional tradeshows and smaller events and think about how to better engage with your existing and potential customers. While the beginning of the year is heavily focused on major industry events, it’s often those smaller shows that offer the best opportunity to build relationships. Don’t overlook smaller events in favor of the huge shows.

By taking a more strategic approach to the tradeshow season, you can be better prepared to serve as a trusted advisor to your customers, providing them the most-needed products and services to boost their business.