Mia Mastroianni is a celebrity hospitality expert, and mixology consultant on acclaimed TV show “Bar Rescue”. She is also a member of the Bar & Restaurant Expo Executive Council. This year, she is co-hosting a panel at the #BRE2022 conference, “Raise the Bar: Building the Right Team & Cocktail Menus to Keep Your Customers Thirsty for More!” She is also hosting the Industry Excellence Awards on Wednesday afternoon.
Whether you are a seasoned professional who visits several conferences/conventions a year, or you are a first-time attendee, there are a few solid tips and tricks to be aware of before attending any expo.
Some shows can be large and overwhelming and it's easy to become distracted by all the demos, booths, and overall energy of a show floor. Having a personal plan of action will help you maximize your experience at an expo. By spending a little bit of time preparing before your trip, you can really make the most of what you set out to accomplish at an event.
Identify Your Objectives
What are you hoping to get from this experience? Having an agenda with some key connections that you're hoping to make can really streamline the process. Be sure to download any applicable apps or references in advance that will be helpful once you reach the show. This can make checking in, getting your badges and even navigating the venue much simpler.
Look at the Educational Tracks/Speakers
Take time to identify which educational sessions make the most sense to you. Make a tentative schedule of any and all sessions or demos you may want to check out, making sure to note the day/time/location of each and make those a priority. The Bar & Restaurant Expo app makes this really easy, and can even send you reminders throughout the day. Download it here for Apple and here for Android phones.
Look at the Exhibitor List
Make a list of any exhibitors that make sense to visit, and familiarize yourself with the map of the floor so you can recognize which ones are in the same general areas to eliminate back-tracking. It can be very easy to get distracted at these events, so having a premeditated list can be especially helpful.
Network!
Take advantage of the networking events! Any happy hours, dinners, or additional events happening once the venue closes for the day is another opportunity to make connections within the industry. Bar & Restaurant Expo has great parties happening every night. These aren’t just fun, they’re super valuable resources for meeting new people and growing your network with operators and suppliers. If this is your first time at Bar & Restaurant Expo, make sure to head to the First-Time Attendee Happy Hour. I’ll be there with other members of our Executive Council team, and we’re excited to answer any and all of your questions!
Wear Comfortable Shoes
This may seem silly coming from the woman who is known for wearing heels at all times, but trust me, for conventions I always keep a pair of flats in my bag. Even if you're used to being on your feet for long periods of time, you will inevitably end up walking and standing more than you anticipate (and maybe pack some Bandaids too, for the occasional blister).
Bring Business Cards
This may seem obvious, but it's a simple and effective way to exchange your information. You will also end up collecting a lot of business cards, and it can be hard to remember which card came from which connection. If there is someone you genuinely want to follow up with, MAKE A NOTE ON THEIR CARD with a detail you will remember about the product or interaction. This saves so much time when you get home and have hundreds of business cards, and can’t remember who is whom!
Follow Up!
Connect with presenters and attendees via social media. Reach out to all the people you exchanged cards with. Expand your network. Worthwhile business relationships often begin at conventions.
Have Fun
This is an opportunity to learn, grow, network, make connections and let loose. Creating an agenda ahead of time can alleviate the stress of a convention, but it's also important to carve out a little time for self-care.
Tickets to Bar & Restaurant Expo are still available here. Find the full conference schedule here.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Fadi Alsayegh at [email protected], Veronica Gonnello at [email protected] or Tim Schultz at [email protected].
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