We may be in the twilight of summer, however July will now stand out to me as it was the first time I attended a completely virtual conference. The Outdoor Retailer Show is a powerhouse trade show for all brands in the recreational and outdoor industry. The pandemic has delayed many large scale shows this summer, so I decided to register for the “virtual” version instead.

I “walked” into the experience with few expectations, except to connect with some familiar faces and then to hopefully chat with new ones. Instead of grabbing my business cards and comfortable shoes— I set my computer up for several one-on-one meetings scheduled with Zoom or Google Hangout. The conversations I worried would be difficult to connect on, but after introductions we all dove into what Backwoods Promotions does best—premiere event staffing!

I WAS BLOWN AWAY. Not only did the conversations dive into networking and business development goals but also into the personal side of how we all do business. I met owners, marketing teams, and industry leaders from across the nation all from my desk. Innovation was certainly a huge topic of most conversations. What are your plans for next year? What changes does this brand plan for in the upcoming months? So many businesses have goals for the future, and I was so excited to hear about them. 

Attending your first virtual conference this year? Here are a few tips on what to expect and how to get the most out of your experience:

1) Explore the virtual booths: Instead of walking the aisles of your favorite convention center, get prepared to expand your browser and click into the booths themselves. Most times,  trade show vendor booths are numbered, so if there are ones you want to visit and view their digital displays be sure to do so! Often the booths feature new product releases, new company designs, and best of all you can schedule a meeting with employees of the brand!

2) Organize your calendar: For the days that most trade shows run, you have those days to schedule your meetings. The first day can be a scramble to figure out the portal, so be sure to keep track of your meeting schedules so you can get the most out of those few days!

3) Prepare yourself for video meetings: From keynote speakers, educational seminars, and one-on-one meetings--prepare yourself to adjust. Get your desk ready with anything you may need to help you retain information, work in confidence, learn as much as you can, and most of all have fun!

4) Stay on schedule: Often the digital trade show floor itself can be daunting and sometimes lead attendees to get sidetracked with curiosity. Set a schedule for yourself to meet with vendors and make appointments, but also set aside time to explore. The more you can see and the more people you can meet the better.

5) Have patience with technology: For some attendees this may be their first digital conference and so learning the system can take extra time. Schedules for digital meetings may have a slow start, or possibly a hiccup in the middle of a presentation. Have patience with others and consideration that they are doing their best to make the platform work for everyone. Most of all, if you encounter any headaches with technology know that other trade show attendees understand. If you miss key information or a seminar--reach out to the person afterward and see if you can have it sent directly to you. 

At the end of the day, we are all human. I am impressed with the Outdoor Retailer Show’s adaptability to trade show climate due to the pandemic. I rolled with it, as we all do. I certainly miss seeing a new city and meeting new people face to face. Business networking is a human connection--something that we all respect during a trade show. I enjoyed the one-on-one conversations I had during the conference however I really did miss catching up with old connections and making new ones personally. It makes me look forward to what the next year holds!

Here at Backwoods Promotions we specialize in exceptional event staff; from lead generation, product demonstrators, hostesses and more! The sky's the limit for what goals a company may have for their next show, and I was excited to discuss all of our different capabilities. The connections made were genuine and realistic, and the experience is one I will never forget. 

Since 2012 Backwoods Promotions has been providing our clients experienced event staff in their industry. We grow and adapt to fit every client’s needs, and we look forward to what the year holds for us all. Contact us now to book staff for the upcoming Outdoor Retailer Show 2021 in January, or reach out if you have any questions. We look forward to hearing from you and continuing the conversation! 

By: Staff Writer