In the mortgage industry, the summer usually signals the start of tradeshow season, an insanely busy time from June through mid-November where every major conference, expo, and event in this space happens in rapid succession. As hectic as this time of year is for most companies, when coordinated properly, it can drive enough business to set you up for success well into the following year.
With COVID-numbers dropping and more people getting vaccinated, all signs point to tradeshow season having a strong return in 2021. Now if you are like me and have been off the trade show circuit for close to a year, your networking skills and general event etiquette may not be as polished as they once were. However, not to worry, here is a helpful guide to get back in the swing of things and make the most of any upcoming events.
Be Proactive
A lot has changed with events post-pandemic, both for attendees and sponsors. In many areas of the country, there are still active COVID-related restrictions. Everything from expected social distancing measures like one-way exhibit hall traffic and mask mandates, to more unexpected guidelines like temperature checks before entering, restrictions on being able to hand out printed materials, limits on the amount of attendees in speaking sessions and more may be in place. So, it’s important to be aware of what restrictions or requirements there currently are and prepare accordingly as events may not be in the same format as you were used to years past.