Top tips for optimising your time at Growing Your Own Business

A little research can save you time and effort and make your visit to the exhibition a more beneficial experience.

Before the event:

• Pre-book your tickets online to save money
• Pre-register online to save time on the day
• Make full use of the website to plan your day:
• Ask yourself, ‘have I allowed enough time?’ There is a wealth of free features, advice, and exhibitors at the event. If you are investing the time to visit, make the most of what’s on and allow plenty of time
• Research who will be at the event - exhibitor lists are updated regularly
• Check the times of the FREE seminars available over both days and ensure you arrive in time to hear from the inspirational keynote speakers
• Plan how to get to the event – will you drive or use public transport? Do you know how to get there?
• Don’t forget to bring plenty of business cards as well as a note pad and pen

At the event:

• Pick up your free copy of Business Franchise magazine, which includes a full show guide (including a floor plan and exhibitor profiles)
• Literature is available on most stands and provides quick easy references to information and contacts after the event
• Take notes on what companies you meet and what you are interested in at the time - these may be your potential suppliers… or clients!
• Make an effort to meet as may contacts as you can - networking is a powerful tool!

Take advantage of all that is on offer:

• Free seminars
• Free Business Advice Zone
• Networking opportunities
• Make sure you visit every corner of the exhibition, you never know what you might find, or who you might meet!
• Fill out all questionnaires at the event to enable the organisers to improve the value to you of future events

After the event:

• Make a list of action points immediately after your visit to ensure you are making the most of having visited
• Allow the time to follow up on your leads as soon as you can - the longer you leave it the less you may remember of your conversations
• Continue to visit the website for updated news and advice, fresh ideas and contacts, and of course upcoming events!