How to Plan Your Expo Agenda for Maximum Value
An opportunity is a waste of time if you don’t have a solid plan. While The Event Planner Expo has everything to offer event planners in New York City, if you don’t have a plan, you’ll miss out on valuable expo opportunities. The Event Planner Expo is packed with exhibitors, speakers, and networking events. Develop your personalized agenda and maximize the value you get from attending The Event Planner Expo this year.
Start with Your Goals
The first is to clearly define your goals. What do you hope to gain from attending? This is different for everyone. Some attendees hope to learn, while others hope to make new industry connections. Perhaps you want to grow your NYC event planning business or branch into a new event planning niche. Here are some of the most common reasons attendees share with us:
- New clients
- Vendor research
- Industry insights
- Partnerships
- Inspiration
By knowing your goals, you can focus your time, attention, and energy effectively. It also makes determining ROI easier, ensuring your time at The Event Planner Expo was successful.
Quick Tip: Limit your goals to about three key objectives. That way, you do not spread yourself too thin.
Research Sessions, Speakers, and Exhibitors
Prepare for your time at The Event Planner Expo by doing advanced research. Review the speaker lineup and session topics. Look through the scheduled talks and discussion panels to create a list of the ones most likely to align with your goals. Browse the list of 150 exhibitors that will all be showcasing their products and services on the trade show floor. Take note of the ones you are most interested in talking to and their location.
Build a Balanced Agenda
There are so many exhibitors and sessions to interact with that you can easily overschedule yourself. This can work against you in achieving your goals. Aim for a balanced mix of learning, networking activities, and exhibit floor time when creating an agenda. Build buffer time in between scheduled activities. You need time to move from one area of the event to another. You also need time to go to the bathroom, get a drink, and eat something. Building in free time for impromptu meetings or unexpected opportunities is also good.
Quick Tip: Don’t overbook downtime! It is critical for informal networking and note-taking.
Strategize Networking Opportunities
With over 2,500 people in attendance, there are plenty (and we mean LOTS) of opportunities to network with other professionals. Get creative with your schedule, such as planning to meet with key contacts for breakfast. Schedule a lunch with professionals you’re hoping to strengthen your partnerships with. Make reservations for dinner that you can invite new contacts to for more focused discussions. With a Corporate All Access ticket, you have access to an attendee contact list. That way, you can identify target connections to make strategic networking easier.
Use Technology to Stay Organized
You already know that AI can help you stay organized and optimize your event planning duties. Why not use technology to keep yourself organized while at The Event Planner Expo? Use digital calendars, reminders, or spreadsheets to track your agenda. If you know others who are attending, share your agendas. They may provide insight that can help you improve your planned agenda.
Quick Tip: Set alerts 10–15 minutes before sessions to stay on track.
Review and Adjust
With The Event Planner Expo being multiple days, you have time to review and adjust. If you didn’t experience everything you wanted to on the first day, adjust your schedule for day two. Each night, reflect on your experience. Identify what worked and what didn’t to achieve your goals. You may need to circle back to an exhibitor that you were unable to talk with. There could be a speaker that you have questions for that you would like to follow up with.
Learn More With the Right Agenda
The Event Planner Expo is filled with opportunities, but without a strategy, it’s easy to get overwhelmed or miss the moments that matter most. When you start with your goals, prepare in advance, and create a balanced, flexible agenda, you will position yourself to gain the maximum value from your experience. This year’s Expo is your chance to connect, learn, and grow. Make sure you walk away with results that fuel your long-term success.
