why senior leaders should never attend conferences alone
Attending conferences and trade shows can be a significant investment of time and resources. Still, the potential return on investment (ROI) makes it an essential activity for CEOs and senior leaders.
According to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), companies participating in trade shows experience an average ROI of $4.99 for every dollar spent. Networking at these events is crucial for building valuable connections, learning about industry trends, and finding new business opportunities.
However, navigating these events alone can limit your impact. Pairing up with a colleague can enhance your effectiveness, allowing you to cover more ground and engage more deeply. Here are a few tips on strategically partnering with a colleague to make the most out of conference attendance.
Identify Complementary Skills: Pair up with a colleague whose strengths complement yours. For example, if you are strong in strategic vision, pair with someone who excels in operational details.
Set Joint Objectives: Clearly define your shared goals for the conference. Determine which key individuals or types of connections you both aim to make and align your efforts accordingly.
Divide and Conquer: Split sessions and networking events between you to cover more ground. One attends a keynote, while the other joins a breakout session and shares insights later.
Tag-Team Networking: During networking events, introduce yourselves to your respective contacts. One person initiates the conversation, and the other adds value by highlighting additional insights or company strengths.
Dual Follow-Up Strategy: After the conference, divide the follow-up tasks. One person can send personalized thank-you notes, while the other schedules follow-up meetings or calls.
Shared Resource Pool: Offer your new contacts combined resources, such as exclusive insights, research papers, or upcoming event invitations, making your follow-up more valuable.
Social Media Synergy: Collaborate on social media posts during the conference. Share photos, videos, and insights with your networks to maximize visibility and engagement.
Leverage Each Other’s Networks: Use your colleague’s connections. Request introductions to their key contacts and reciprocate by introducing them to your network.
Attending conferences and trade shows with colleagues can significantly amplify your networking impact and overall ROI. Research from the Trade Show News Network indicates that 81% of trade show attendees have buying authority, highlighting the potential for valuable connections and business opportunities. You and your colleague can optimize your presence and outcomes at these events by leveraging complementary skills, dividing roles, and employing joint engagement tactics.
We are dedicated to helping leaders maximize their potential through strategic collaboration. We invite you to explore our resources and workshops designed to enhance your conference strategy. Together, let’s harness the power of partnership to achieve greater success and build a brighter future for your organization. Visit our website to learn more and start your journey toward amplified impact.