Attending a self-storage tradeshow is exciting but can also be exhausting. On one hand, it’s a chance to refresh your skills, learn about new products and services, and meet with fellow professionals. On the other, the days move so fast, you can be left feeling like you missed something important.

To ensure you get the most from the upcoming Inside Self-Storage World Expo, April 6-9, at the Paris Hotel & Resort in Las Vegas, consider the following tips. Hint: It’s all in the preparation.

Have a Strategy

How will you take advantage of all the events and resources the ISS Expo has to offer? It can be overwhelming. Over the course of four days, the show will present 45 seminars, six workshops, 140-plus exhibits, vendor presentations, four sessions in Spanish, and several networking events. It may be tough to accomplish everything on your to-do list. That’s why it’s critical to decide how you’ll spend your time before you arrive on site.

Here's a link to the ISS Expo Pre-Show Planner. It’s time to map out the activities that interest you and create an action plan. So grab paper and a pen, create a digital document, or open your favorite scheduling app and get ready to make some notes.

First, realize there’s no way a single attendee can participate in everything the show has to offer, particularly on the education side, where seminars are organized into concurrent tracks. If you’re attending the show with another person or a group, it’s best to divide and conquer. If you miss a seminar or attend one you particularly enjoy, you can purchase copies through the Inside Self-Storage Store. DVD pre-orders will be available through the Inside Self-Storage Store. You can also visit the ISS Store sales kiosk in the main education corridor or the ISS booth on the show floor (#635).

Think about which events will give you the most value. What do you really need to learn? What might you like to share with your employees, supervisor or co-workers? What will help you immediately improve your business? Base your decisions on the content that’s most relevant to your role, whether you’re a manager, owner or investor.

Next, get familiar with venue. Know where to pick up your show badge on the first day, the location of events you plan to attend and even the restrooms. To avoid wandering aimlessly during exhibit hours, decide ahead of time which vendors you plan to visit, and then create a logical course so you’re not backtracking or wasting valuable time. To preview the show floor, visit the the expo website choose “Interactive Floor Plan” from the “Exhibitor Info” drop-down menu on the top navigation bar. For a map of the education rooms and other key show areas, click on the “Attend” tab and click the link to the PDF.

Tradeshow Tips

If you’ve properly prepped for the event, you’ll be calm and ready to learn. Here are some pointers to get the most from your ISS Expo experience.

Set Appointments

If there’s a particular speaker or vendor you’d like to meet, it can be helpful to set up an appointment before the show. Speakers will be swamped with questions, particularly after their seminar presentations, and exhibitors will be busy meeting customers and providing demos. No one likes to waste time on the fringe of a crowd awaiting their turn.

Instead, be proactive. Call or e-mail the person ahead of time and ask if you can arrange a time to meet. You can opt for something very casual, like meeting in a seminar room or booth, or invite the person out for cocktails or a meal.

If you do manage to schedule some meet-and-greets, be respectful and understanding of the other person’s time constraints. Do your best to be on time for your meeting, but don’t get overly disgruntled if he’s a few moments late. A lot of unexpected things can happen at an event of this size; sometimes you have to just go with the flow. It’s wise to exchange cell-phone numbers and e-mail addresses in case plans need to change.

When you finally meet, understand that a tradeshow is typically not the best place for a long conversation about a project or problem. It’s a place to open a discussion. Have your questions ready and be prepared to follow up with more communication after the event.

Speakers and vendors will always have business cards at the ready and are more than happy to chat with you if they have the chance. Don’t be offended if someone can’t speak to you immediately. People are sometimes being pulled in multiple directions at a tradeshow. Get the person’s contact information and reach out after the expo. Once everyone returns home and the chaos dies down, you’ll be able to get the attention and information you seek. This may be infinitely better than waiting in line to steal two minutes of a harried person’s time and energy. 

Follow Up

Once you’re back home, it’s time to work your post-show game plan. You’ve amassed a wealth of knowledge and made new connections. Don’t let them go to waste!

Consider which speakers, vendors or peers to contact for follow-up and what other resources to seek. Make a list of action items. Did you perhaps learn a new marketing strategy or a way to increase rental rates? Is there a new product you’d like to try or some websites you should visit? What wheels should you set in motion? Pull out those business cards, notes and brochures and make the connections.

Remember the adage, “What you put into it, is what you get out of it.” You’ve spent time, money and resources to attend the biggest conference and tradeshow of the year. Take the time to prepare for your ISS Expo experience, follow these guidelines, and put your plans into action.

To get show details and register, visit www.insideselfstorageworldexpo.com.