Will you be attending the 2017 American Agents Alliance Convention & Expo? This annual insurance convention & expo is the largest P&C insurance event in the west and it’s essential to your insurance business. When you’re attending a trade show, what do you need to know to get the most out of your wanderings among the booths?
Visit the Right Show
Have you ever been to a conference or a trade show that was not quite what you needed for your business? Think about your business priorities and determine how a conference will help your agency grow. For example, if you’re looking for new software, you could attend a software trade show, but if you’re looking for an all-around experience with insurance-specific products and information, seek out one put on by an insurance trade association, like the American Agents Alliance.
Go In With a Goal
Before you go to the show, know what you want to get out of the trade show. If your agency is trying to expand into a new market and you want to learn from others who have had the same experience or take a look at the competition, put this on your priority list. You could be adding new employees, in which case, networking will be big on your mind. Think about what your insurance agency is looking for right now and consider how you can satisfy these goals during our trade show.
Be Open to New Opportunities
It’s great to have a goal, but you also need to remain open to new opportunities for learning. That’s what a trade show provides: a diversity of people and organizations all waiting to show you what they do. If you see a booth or a product that really catches your eye, set aside some time to explore it. You may just find the next best advertising technique or software tool for your business. Plus, with over 40 CE units offered and a variety of workshops to choose from you’ll have plenty of opportunities for advancing your education.
Make a Plan
Before you go to the trade show, make a plan to get the most out of your day. Consider how long you’re going to visit the booths and what other goals you have for your day at the conference. Learn about who will be at the show and plan what booths you’d like to visit. Be strategic and decide what your priorities are for the conference. If you would like to have a private conversation with a particular vendor, contact them in advance and arrange an appointment away from the show floor. You can view our exhibitors here and our schedule at a glance here.
Be Prepared to Talk About Your Agency
A trade show isn’t just there so that you can learn about others, it’s also a venue for others to learn about you. Be prepared with your elevator speech about your insurance business. Have business cards, and dress and carry yourself professionally. You never know what connections you might make.
Follow Up
Connecting is important. Following up is even more important. Get business cards from those you visit and make sure that you contact them after the trade show to keep your business relationship growing.
Connect Casually
Take advantage of extra opportunities to connect with those at the trade show. Book your room at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa where our hotel will be hosted. You’ll have more opportunities to set up meetings before and after the day begins.
As you develop your insurance business, American Agents Alliance is here to support your growth. Join our insurance agent association for our annual Alliance Convention or contact us to learn more about the many benefits of joining our network of independent insurance agents.
