Let me give you my Top 10 Ideas getting the most out of a Expo.
1- Don't bring your wife or G/F or B/F unless they are directly involved with your business. Even though they may say just do whatever, you will want to spend time with them, it's natural. There will be a number of times when you may just want to network, or go hang with the DJs at some outside event. If you want to get the max outa the expo, come solo.
2- Don't be scared to jump into conversations. I don't mean be rude. But if there is a time where you are standing in line for something, or just hanging and you hear a couple of DJs talking about something that is of interest to you, politely intro yourself, hand them a card and ask a question. Explain that it's your 1st expo and most are willing to share, it's what we go for.
3- Don't get caught up in the buying frenzy of the exibit hall. Take your time, look at all the toys and BEFORE you buy, walk out and get a Coke and think about it, do you really need it? Then go back in and buy it.
4- Bring cards and give them to everyone you talk to. I know this may just be me, but is someone doesn't have a nice business card, or one at all, it makes me wonder how serious they are about being a DJ.
5- Don't drink to excess. I hear DJs all the time going to get drunk and party. That's fine, but you want to be able to see the workshops and seminars and get something out of them. Don't spend the week hung over.
6- Take notes at seminars. Go to ones that you are really interested in, but go to a few that you don't think apply to you because you may learn something you didn't know you wanted to learn. That's how I got into Karaoke.
7- Don't be a loner. This kinda goes back to the butting into conversations, but lets say you go to eat in the buffet, if you are looking for a seat, look and see if there are some DJs there that look friendly, ask to join them.
8- If you come with a group of DJ buds, try not and hang with them all the time. I know that they are your safty net, but a big part of the expo is networking and you need to do that. It's a great way to learn. You never know who you will meet and how long you will know them. I met Ryan at my one of my 1st expos YEARS ago, Mad Joe and I still e-mail and talk Karaoke. Meet new people.
9- Stay at the host hotel. Sure maybe you can find a cheaper room off the strip or down the way, but everything centers around the host hotel. Show your support for the event and industry by staying there. If you need a nap during the day, or just want to drop off that piece of gear you just bought, it makes it much easier.
10- NETWORK NETWORK & NETWORK! Talk to DJ's ask what and where and how. You may meet someone who is doing the same thing you are. In the workshops, listen to who asks a question, maybe it is something you know about. Afterward, find them, intro yourself and have dinner or a drink, pick each others brain. Go to as many of the after events as you can. I don't mean just the parties where there is loud music, some DJ doing his thing and drinks (which is fine BTW) but the ones where you have a chance to talk. AMDJ usually host something. MB itself has a party on the night before. It's all about the networking. But most of all, have fun.
Aloha....
1- Don't bring your wife or G/F or B/F unless they are directly involved with your business. Even though they may say just do whatever, you will want to spend time with them, it's natural. There will be a number of times when you may just want to network, or go hang with the DJs at some outside event. If you want to get the max outa the expo, come solo.
2- Don't be scared to jump into conversations. I don't mean be rude. But if there is a time where you are standing in line for something, or just hanging and you hear a couple of DJs talking about something that is of interest to you, politely intro yourself, hand them a card and ask a question. Explain that it's your 1st expo and most are willing to share, it's what we go for.
3- Don't get caught up in the buying frenzy of the exibit hall. Take your time, look at all the toys and BEFORE you buy, walk out and get a Coke and think about it, do you really need it? Then go back in and buy it.
4- Bring cards and give them to everyone you talk to. I know this may just be me, but is someone doesn't have a nice business card, or one at all, it makes me wonder how serious they are about being a DJ.
5- Don't drink to excess. I hear DJs all the time going to get drunk and party. That's fine, but you want to be able to see the workshops and seminars and get something out of them. Don't spend the week hung over.
6- Take notes at seminars. Go to ones that you are really interested in, but go to a few that you don't think apply to you because you may learn something you didn't know you wanted to learn. That's how I got into Karaoke.
7- Don't be a loner. This kinda goes back to the butting into conversations, but lets say you go to eat in the buffet, if you are looking for a seat, look and see if there are some DJs there that look friendly, ask to join them.
8- If you come with a group of DJ buds, try not and hang with them all the time. I know that they are your safty net, but a big part of the expo is networking and you need to do that. It's a great way to learn. You never know who you will meet and how long you will know them. I met Ryan at my one of my 1st expos YEARS ago, Mad Joe and I still e-mail and talk Karaoke. Meet new people.
9- Stay at the host hotel. Sure maybe you can find a cheaper room off the strip or down the way, but everything centers around the host hotel. Show your support for the event and industry by staying there. If you need a nap during the day, or just want to drop off that piece of gear you just bought, it makes it much easier.
10- NETWORK NETWORK & NETWORK! Talk to DJ's ask what and where and how. You may meet someone who is doing the same thing you are. In the workshops, listen to who asks a question, maybe it is something you know about. Afterward, find them, intro yourself and have dinner or a drink, pick each others brain. Go to as many of the after events as you can. I don't mean just the parties where there is loud music, some DJ doing his thing and drinks (which is fine BTW) but the ones where you have a chance to talk. AMDJ usually host something. MB itself has a party on the night before. It's all about the networking. But most of all, have fun.
Aloha....
