Speaking in Front of a Large Crowd

networking eventsSpeaking in front of a large audience is not one of the easiest things to do, and most people dread doing it. But having a good frontman or woman to engage prospective investors, clients, and buyers is essential to doing business. So when showcasing your product or service at a business event, it is essential to put your best foot forward.

Weeks before the big presentation you should write out the speech or at least jot down some talking points. Use visual aids; it will help you transition from point to point and might take off some of the focus on you.

What Was the First Exhibition?

business eventsThe first networking event of sorts was London’s First Exhibition which took place in 1760. Organized by the Royal Society of Arts, this was the first expo to showcase over a hundred works of dozens of artists, many of them still living at the time. Artists who had their works at the event included Louis-Francois Roubiliac, Joshua Reynolds, and Richard Cosway. At the time, people did not have to pay to attend, which allowed hundreds of visitors to flock to the exhibit.

Despite having no entrance fee, the expo was a success, and many of the attending artists were able to make money off the sales of their work.

Planning a Convention, Part II

networking eventsHere we conclude how to plan and execute a successful business event. Making a convention happen is never an easy ride, but it can be done. With the right assistance and planning, you will have a successful event. The following are the final steps you need to take to make your appearance at the convention a memorable one:

  • Choose the venue and book the location.
  • Starting within your committee and then casting a wider net, tell people when and where it is being held so more people can have a hand in the project.
  • Plan what is happening at the expo; this includes who is attending, what they will be doing there, setting up meetings, planning presentations and workshops, and who will be speaking.

Planning a Convention, Part I

business networking eventsWhen preparing a business event of some sort, it helps to get a plan of action in mind. This way you keep everything organized and lessen the chance of getting bogged down and having everything fall apart. Here are a few starting tips:

  1. Gather a group together and form a convention committee; it is almost impossible to plan a business event by yourself, especially the bigger your presence. So have a committed group with each individual having their own duties. Hold a weekly or monthly meeting months prior to the event, and then up the frequency the month before the convention.
  2. Start planning a year in advance of your appearance to give you enough time.

Avoiding Sickness at a Convention

business eventsFor germaphobes and hypochondriacs, a convention can be a scary place. There is a lot of handshaking, germ-covered public spaces, and other hazards. Many people try to beat illness by avoiding direct contact with other people. This is a mistake and could make you come off as distant and unfriendly. Instead of limiting human interaction, increase your hand washing. Use hand sanitizer after you shake hands or use a door knob. Also make sure to wash your hands before you eat or drink. Be subtle; you don’t want people to think you find them dirty. For an extra boost, take vitamin C and echinacea before you start you day at a business event.

Unemployment Remains Stubborn in Europe

business networkingAlthough European banks are in better shape than they were a year ago, unemployment remains high. The latest numbers peg Eurozone unemployment at slightly over 12%. Some Eurozone nations, like Spain and Greece, are seeing unemployment as high as 25%. For youth in these nations the number can be as high as 50%.

Many US policymakers believe that unless unemployment in Europe is dealt with, it could set off an economic collapse that would be felt in the United States. The economic woes have also led to social unrest and a host of other related problems. So far no initiative addressing unemployment directly has been presented, but you can surely expect the high rates to affect business networking events in Europe.

Staying Healthy During the Convention

NYC bussiness eventsNYC business expos are a great place to meet people and grow your business. Unfortunately, they are not the best place to shrink your waistline. Between the hundreds of booths that put out candy dishes to the sometimes unhealthy convention center fare, you may find it hard to keep your diet up during the convention.

The key to success here is to plan ahead. Don’t assume you will be able to find something low calorie and delicious at the convention center. Bring your own lunch. The same is true for snacks. If you don’t want to munch on candy all day, bring your own snacks like trail mix or fresh fruit. They’ll keep your waistline thin and boost your energy!

Videos for Small Businesses

businness eventsYou may want to add video camera (or cell phone that takes video) to your business events packing list. Videos are becoming increasingly important to small businesses for a number of reasons. Sites like Vine and YouTube give small businesses a place to post their videos online and a chance for them to go viral. You can then refer clients to these videos or easily place them on your website.

Taking videos of sales or presentations can also be helpful for training others in the company or to review successful sales tactics. Taking a few pictures and videos is easy. Even if you don’t end up using them, it’s not a big investment of time or effort.  If you do put them to good use, however, they can be invaluable.

Meeting New People at Conventions

networking eventsMany people feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of people they meet at networking events. If you meet 20 people in an hour, it’s going to be hard to remember names. Business cards help but most don’t have a picture on them. There are a lot of great tricks for remembering people’s names and most rely on the simple concept of repetition.

Once someone tells you his or her name, repeat it back before you say your own name. When they leave, make sure to address them by their name when you say goodbye. Another good tool is to use a mnemonic device like Martha from Maine.

Fellowship and Business Events

networking eventMost people attend business events because they want to meet potential clients. There is no doubt that business conventions are a great place to meet potential clients face to face, but there are other benefits to attending. Meeting fellow small business owners is a great way to exchange ideas about small business. As a small business owner, you wear many hats and are responsible for your company’s marketing, HR and more. You don’t have to go it alone. You can meet other business people who have experienced the exact same ups and downs as you have. Even if these people do not become clients, they can be lifelong connections.