TRADE SHOWS
Plan for trade
show success
With several trade shows for PAs coming up it’s a wise idea to start
planning your visit now to ensure you get the most out of the show
All year round and throughout the globe, trade shows
are playing an important role in business development.
Regardless of product quality, sales and marketing abili-
ty or general professional experience, a company’s suc-
cess at these events often rests on good planning, prepa-
ration and back up. This is where you, as the company’s
highly efficient PA, play such an important role.
Plan your time
Attend to your travel arrangements early to fix any prob-
lems before they become critical. You can often secure a
better rate by booking in advance – don’t just assume
you’ll get the best rate if you leave it until the last minute.
Prioritise your planned activities. You should have a
checklist to ensure you get the most out of the event,
including the relevant exhibitors, networking opportuni-
ties, and other activity items. Spend time on the
tradeshow’s website where you should be able to find out
information about the events taking place to judge how
relevant they will be to you.
Work with the team leader (and, of course, this could be
you!) to organise a final meeting to confirm details and to Make sure that the office has a copy of the itinerary and
clarify any queries. Make sure everyone attending knows contact information in case an emergency arises. At the same
what is expected of them – such as arranging a certain time, ensure you have handed over any important tasks to a
number of meetings or sourcing new suppliers. By giving colleague preceding your absence from the workplace.
everyone specific goals they should be easier to achieve.
Confirm seemingly obvious arrangements like pre- Two to visit
booked attendance at specific events at the expo. Checking This February there are two shows which should be on
and double checking should be second nature for PAs. every PA’s must-attend list: Business Travel & Meetings
Make sure there is an adequate supply of current busi- Show and International Confex. At the former you’ll have
ness cards. There’s little point in making new contacts if the chance to meet over 200 world-leading suppliers who
people then don’t know how to get hold of you. Likewise could all save you money or offer inspiring ideas. There’s
make sure you collect business cards from people who also the opportunity to attend free seminar sessions which
may be beneficial to your company and then deal with are specifically aimed at PAs, and pay a visit to the Advice
them (file them or save them to your computer) as soon as Clinic for expert guidance on issues such as travel manage-
you return to the office. As you’ll be meeting so many ment, the environment and technology. PAs will also be
people it’s also a wise idea to jot down a word or two to able to network with fellow PAs and enter exclusive PA-
trigger your memory of your initial meeting. only competitions. Business Travel & Meetings Show is
taking place 9-10 February at Earls Court 2 in London. Visit
www.businesstravelshow.co.uk/execpa to register for a free pass.
Later in the month International Confex will be hit-
ting Earls Court (23-25 February), the UK’s leading event
for event organisers. The show brings together people
who organise the events with the people who make them
happen – venues, destinations, travel services, entertain-
ers, catering, gift suppliers, florists, AV firms and much
more. New for 2010 is PA Day which will be held on the
25 February, with additional content aimed just at PAs.
Look out for dedicated seminars, fashion shows, goody
bags and more. Visit www.international-confex.com for more
information and to register.
E
www.executivepa.com » Feb/Mar 2010 » 25
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44