6 Tips on How Your Team Can Make the Most Out of Sales Conferences

Sales conferences are a goldmine of opportunities for networking, learning, and growth. They provide an environment where teams can gain valuable insights, foster relationships, and engage with industry leaders. However, unlocking the potential of these events requires more than just showing up. To truly capitalize on a sales conference, your team needs to have a well-crafted approach. 

In this post, we'll share 6 crucial tips to help your team make the most out of sales conferences.

Hire a Corporate Entertainer

Attending a sales conference doesn't have to be all work and no play. Hiring a corporate event magician can add a touch of entertainment, making the event more engaging and memorable. This creative approach not only provides amusement but also facilitates networking by creating a shared experience. Here are a few reasons why you might consider hiring a corporate event magician:

• Unexpected Fun: A corporate event magician can break the monotony and inject a dose of fun into the conference schedule. Their performance can serve as ice-breakers, making the event more enjoyable and less formal.
• Facilitate Networking: Through their interactive performances, magicians can help create a relaxed environment that promotes communication and interaction among attendees.
• Memorable Experience: Magic performances are memorable. Attendees are more likely to remember an event where they witnessed astonishing magic tricks, associating the positive experience with your brand or product.
• Brand Promotion: Some magicians can incorporate your product or sales message into their magic act, subtly promoting your brand during their performance.

Make a List of Contacts You’d like to Connect with at the Conference

Before you even set foot at the conference, it's crucial to identify the individuals you'd like to network with. This could be potential clients, industry leaders, or even speakers who may provide valuable insights for your business. Having a list can help you make the most use of your time at the conference, ensuring that you don't miss opportunities for meaningful connections. Here are some steps to create a list of contacts:

• Research: Look up the attendee list, speakers, and exhibitors beforehand. Identify those whose work aligns with your business goals or who may be potential leads.
• Prioritize: Rank the contacts based on their relevance to your business. This allows you to focus on the most important contacts first during the event.
• Prepare an Elevator Pitch: Craft a concise, compelling introduction for yourself and your business. This will help you make a strong impression when you get the opportunity to speak with your target contacts.
• Follow-up Strategy: Plan your follow-up strategy in advance. This could involve connecting on LinkedIn, sending a personalized email, or scheduling a call post-conference.

Develop Strategies for How Your Team Can Capitalize on Networking Opportunities

Capitalizing on networking opportunities is key to extracting maximum value from your conference participation. Effective networking can lead to partnerships, sales leads, and gain valuable industry knowledge. Here are some strategies you team can employ:

• Active Participation: Encourage your team members to actively participate in discussions, workshops, and Q&A sessions. This not only increases their visibility but also opens up opportunities for meaningful conversations.
• Utilize Breaks: Breaks are not just for rest, they are prime networking times. Your team can use this time to initiate conversations with other attendees, speakers, or exhibitors.
• Social Media Engagement: Use event-specific hashtags, live-tweet sessions, or share insights on social media platforms. This can help your team engage with a wider audience and even continue conversations post-event.
• Business Cards: Despite being in the digital age, business cards are still effective networking tools. Ensure your team has enough to hand out. They are a tangible reminder of encounters during the conference.
• Host a Roundtable or Workshop: If possible, hosting a roundtable or workshop can be an effective way to attract attendees. It positions your team as thought leaders and initiates deeper discussions related to your industry or product.

Arrive Early and Be Prepared to Network with Other Attendees

Arriving early to the conference can provide an advantageous head start for networking. This gives you an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the venue, scope out prime networking spots, and perhaps even have casual conversations with other early arrivals. Being prepared with your networking strategies is equally important to ensure that you maximize these opportunities. Here are some tips for early arrival and preparedness:

• Scout the Venue: By arriving early, you can take your time to understand the layout of the conference venue. Identify key areas such as the main stage, breakout sessions rooms, food and beverage areas, and any designated networking zones.
• Casual Conversations: Use the quiet before the conference properly starts to strike up casual conversations with other early arrivals. These relaxed interactions can often lead to meaningful connections.
• Prepare an Agenda: Have a clear plan of sessions you want to attend, people you want to meet, and any specific questions you might want to ask. This ensures you're making the most of your time.
• Practice Your Pitch: Understand your value proposition and be able to clearly articulate it. Practice your elevator pitch to ensure you can deliver it confidently.
• Prepare Conversation Starters: Don't just rely on "What do you do?". Think of interesting conversation starters that can make your interactions more memorable.

Take Notes During the Sessions and Follow Up with Any Questions You Have

Taking notes during sessions not only allows you to retain important information shared but also helps you generate questions or identify areas you'd like to explore further. Following up on these points with the speakers or other attendees can lead to insightful discussions and potential collaborations. Here are some tips for effective note-taking and follow-ups:

• Note Key Points: Instead of trying to jot down everything, focus on capturing the main points, interesting insights, or innovative ideas shared during the sessions.
• Write Down Speaker's Details: Make sure you note down the speaker's name, title, and contact details if available. This will be helpful when you reach out for follow-up discussions.
• Formulate Questions: As you listen, try to formulate questions or think of areas you'd like to know more about. This keeps you actively engaged in the session.
• Follow Up Promptly: Don't wait too long to follow up on your questions or ideas. Reach out to the speaker or other attendees as soon as possible after the session.
• Be Specific in Your Follow-Up: When following up, be specific about what you found interesting in the session and what you'd like to discuss further. This shows that you were engaged in the session and value their expertise.

About Rick Smith Jr. 

Rick Smith Jr. is a world-renowned corporate entertainer, specializing in sleight-of-hand card magic and mind-reading performances. He has been mesmerizing audiences with his unique brand of entertainment for over two decades, performing at numerous high-profile events worldwide.

His shows combine elements of mentalism, comedy, audience participation, and customized presentations that can be tailored to any event, audience size, or budget. He is renowned for his ability to create a sense of wonder and amazement in his audiences, as well as an unforgettable experience that leaves them wanting more.

Rick Smith Jr. has been featured on many major TV networks such as NBC's "Tonight Show", ABC's " Shark Tank", America's Hot Talent, and many more. He has also been featured in many publications such as the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.