EVENTS & TRADE SHOWS
TOP 10 REASONS to attend Trade Shows
Trade shows are back! COVID-19 restrictions shut down trade shows for over a year while people quarantined and socially distanced. Now, as America’s economy “reopens,” trade shows will once again provide invaluable resources to businesses to gain competitive advantages. The following are the TOP 10 REASONS why business owners, managers, and key team members should attend trade shows:
1. Gain knowledge of industry trends and forecasts.
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Trade show attendees learn from experts and peers about what is happening in their industry and what is expected to happen in the next 12-24 months. For example, what is the current availability of steel and when is the steel supply expected to improve? How will COVID-19 affect the rollforming industry in the second half of 2021 and beyond?
2. Gain knowledge of legal, regulatory, and compliance changes.
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A new administration in the White House will undoubtedly result in new laws and regulations. How will these changes affect your business and what steps can businesses take to succeed?
3. Gain knowledge of new products and services.
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Manufacturers like ASC Machine Tools are constantly developing new products and features that help their customers improve productivity and efficiency. Trade show attendees learn about the latest products and features that can give them a competitive advantage.
4. Gain knowledge of how other businesses operate.
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Trade show attendees meet their colleagues and discuss how their businesses operate and what challenges they are facing. By doing so, attendees learn how other businesses improved efficiency and solved problems. Attendees can use this information to improve their own efficiency and solve problems.
5. Gain knowledge about your competition.
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The rollforming industry in constantly changing. Attendees can learn what their competition is doing. Who bought new equipment? Who opened a new location? Who went out of business?
6. Build relationships with key vendors.
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Vendors can be valuable partners. Trade show attendees get face to face time with multiple key vendors and establish relationships that will help their business succeed.
7. Build relationships with colleagues in the industry.
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Getting to know colleagues in the rollforming industry is a great reason to attend a trade show. Attendees can meet their colleagues from other regions and have a resource to “bounce ideas off of” in the future. For example, if a business owner is considering investing in new equipment, that owner can contact another business owner she met at a trade show to get input on the pros and cons of specific types of equipment.
8. Build relationships with your team.
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Many businesses send their key employees to trade shows. This is a great opportunity for key team members to get involved in the industry, learn about new products and practices, and meet key vendors. It also provides an opportunity for key team members to feel like an important part of your business.
9. Changes in latitude, changes in attitude.
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Trade shows provide a great reason to get out of the office for a day or two (or more). When an owner or manager is in the office, the majority of his or her time is spent dealing with immediate issues and “putting out fires.” Trade shows provide an opportunity to step away from those daily fires and think about big picture goals and strategic plans for the business.
10. Attend the trade show because you can!
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After more than a year of shutdowns, social distancing, quarantines, and Zoom calls, Americans can finally gather with colleagues and friends at trade shows to gain knowledge and build relationships.
Trade shows provide a unique opportunity to gain targeted industry knowledge and to meet colleagues in the metal industry. COVID 19 restrictions prevented these gatherings for over a year. As the economy reopens, trade shows will play a vital role in helping businesses succeed. We look forward to seeing you at the show!