This one will be a little different because I am going to start it off with a letter from one of last years attendees.

“Dear 321.  First off, your seminar was great.  My wife got me tickets and I took a business buddy of mine with me.  We both showed up and learned a lot.  The food was great, the lessons were spot on, and I know that I for sure gained a few extra customers for it, so it was well worth the price.

Now the bad side.  I came to the dang thing totally unprepared.  Could you please write an article that tells us how to make the most out of the seminar?  I really feel like I missed out on more than one chance to gain additional business.  I know I’m not the smartest guy in the world, but I know that more people have to have made some of the mistakes that I made.  Thanks.  I’ll see you guys next year."

Randy V.
C33 Painter

A seminar is much like going on vacation.  Any vacation is a good vacation; however with a little preparation it is possible to make it so much more.  You can do some research to find points of interests, plot your course, and find some of the best places to visit.  Just don’t get so carried away creating some insane itinerary that you forget the big picture.

In any seminar there are some basics that you can do to get the most out of your experience.  A good seminar isn’t simply supposed to be something where you sit down for hours until your numb and wondering about traffic.  Seminars should have interaction, opportunities for networking, and a good socializing atmosphere.  So since your putting your hard earned time and money into a seminar, it makes sense to make a little extra effort to assure you get the most from every aspect of any seminar or trade show you attend.

Firs off, talk to someone working for the seminar.  You can gain tons of valuable information from a knowledgeable representative.  How many people are attending?  How long will the seminar be?  Are there additional advertising opportunities?  All of these are good questions to ask.  If the representative doesn’t know the answers to these simple questions, ask for someone who does.  Knowing the these will help you in deciding what you should bring or do to make the most of the seminar or trade show.

How many people are attending?

This question should be followed up with how many sponsors will be at the event as well.  By knowing how many people will be there and how many sponsors will be present, you can easily determine how many business cards, brochures, and other promotional items you should bring.  Many seminars will even allow you to add your promotional items to their gift bags as well.  This is a great way to assure that you go home with everyone, even those you weren’t even to meet with.  In the case of the 321 Grow seminars you can even have your items added for the other day so that 500 people you will never meet will have information on your company.

How long will the seminar be?

By knowing what time the seminar starts, what time it ends, and how long the seminar will be, you increase the ability to network with other business owners who you can gain valuable referrals for.  If a seminar starts at 10am, try to get there at least a half hour early and plan to remain an hour afterwards.  This will allow you to meet with early birds as well as stragglers who remain long after the keynote speaker has shut off his microphone.  I know of many people who gained as much value from the seminars by following this simple step.  You should also think about making plans afterwards to take someone you feel could be a valuable resource out for a meal after the seminar is over.

Are there additional advertising opportunities?

Many seminars have additional opportunities for increasing your presence rather than just networking.  Table top advertising, banner space, and additional advertising in printed materials that are handed out as well are solid opportunities to expand your business, and many are low cost and effective.  Just remember that unlike your customers, here you are targeting other like business owners and should deign and choose what will most get their attention.

There are also some basics you should bring to any seminar you go to.  A pen and paper may seem like a given, but you would be surprised how many people forget to bring anything to take notes with.  In any seminar there will be more that is covered than just what you get in a printed program.  A good seminar will be packed with information and the ignorance or oversight that someone can remember everything on their own can be costly and taking notes is a much better way to retain information.  Be careful about bringing a recorder as many seminars do not allow recordings or outside videoing or recording.  I myself was a victim of someone who recorded one of my seminars so that a competitor could use the information in their much more expensive marketing classes.

In addition to what you bring to a seminar, what you take can be just as valuable.  If you speak to anyone be sure to get business cards and as much information as you can.  Visit all of the sponsors and take any information they are willing to give you.  Even if you think this information isn’t something you will need now, or ever need, they can be valuable resources should your needs ever change or you find someone who has need of those products or services.

So arrive early, stay late, build relationships, and take good notes, and you will be well on your way to making the most of every seminar and trade show you go to.