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Tradeshow Tips

October 27, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (1)

There's a lot of advice out there for how to get your company noticed at a tradeshow and employing effective marketing techniques from the booth. What about the tradeshow attendees? How can you be as efficient as possible and make the most of your tradeshow visit? Here are some tips and resources for the tradeshow and conference attendee:

  • Set Goals - Figure out what you want to accomplish by the end of the show. Why are you going? Who will be there that you need to talk to? Figure out a game plan and get as much information as possible prior to attending. Do you want to broaden your knowledge or hone a specific skill? Have you been to similar talks or visited a particular exhibitor before? Can you split up your work with co-workers also attending the event?
  • Network - Be sure to bring lots of business cards, to pass out to people you meet and also to clip to lengthy forms in order to save some paperwork. Also, keep in mind events that may be going on during the evenings, giving you a more casual environment to meet future contacts. One of the most important thing you can out of a conference is the list of new contacts you obtain.
  • Dress Appropriately - Of course you want to look professional. But keep in mind that you’re going to be out on the conference floor all day. So be sure that your clothes and footwear are comfortable enough to last you all day. Consider dressing in a couple layers since the temperature on the floor can vary. Be sure to bring a place to store extra stuff like a sweater, water bottle, or pamphlets since you won’t want to juggle them all day.
  • Follow-Up - After a conference, it's easy to fall back into work as usual, catching up on what you’ve missed while away. However, take some time to organize, process, and act on the information you’ve acquired. Share important info with coworkers and be sure to put your gathered contact info into a more accessible form than your pile of conference handouts.

Large conferences and tradeshows can take more time than you have to completely see, so a little preparation can go a long way. For more information, here are some additional resources:

Hotel Discounts

October 18, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Many savvy travelers have learned that the Internet is often the best place to turn for good deals and convenient booking. However, quite a few of these web searchers are looking to discount travel sites and they may be missing out on the best deal. Hotel websites are starting to compete and beat these sites. Extended Stay Hotels in particular offers a best Internet price guarantee. So why would you do all the leg-work when hotel savings are available right through the company's website?

Websites aren't the only discount opportunities online. Extended Stay Hotels has a hotel newsletter with the latest hotel savings on reservations at a number of destinations. Get special subscriber benefits and updates on deals with monthly messages delivered right to your inbox. If you are looking for a great way to save, sign up for hotel discounts with Suite Savings. Plan ahead when you receive information on upcoming deals and current savings opportunities. You'll also get news on new properties to visit and site upgrades you can enjoy.

As a frequent traveler, you need to be on top of the latest travel news and this includes hotel updates. So next time consider going right to the source to save on hotel rooms. Or for special attention, sign up for those hotel newsletters with discounts designed just for you. Each email is sent with your busy schedule and full inbox in mind and is filled with important and cost-saving information.

Email at Hotels

October 12, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Remotely contacting work and checking email is vital for keeping in touch with the office. It's difficult to stay in the loop when on the road for weeks at a time. A high level of communication is not always possible with busy schedules, travel time and unknown Internet connection capabilities. And a smart phone is not always a convenient method of accessing email since it is a small device for reading messages or typing responses and it can also get a bit expensive.

When setting up remote email access, be sure to test it before you leave. If you are using Microsoft Outlook, you can look to access your office desktop remotely or connect to this email through a company email site that's password protected. If choosing this route, it may be wise to have a standby web email address such as a GMail, Yahoo, or Hotmail account to have colleagues cc important messages to. This way you can access it from anywhere, whether or not your email configurations are correct or the company Intranet is functioning properly.

Finally, consider where you'll be going. Conferences sometimes have complimentary computer rooms with Internet access, however the hours may be limited. For the most convenient email access, be sure you can get to email from your hotel as well. It's good to know that at least one hotel brand, Extended Stay Hotels, is taking the needs of business travelers seriously and are ensuring that their hotels with wireless Internet access will keep you in touch. By staying in constant contact, you can be sure to continue to be an active team member, even when you're out of the office.

Efficiency Cuisine

October 4, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (1)

One of the best reasons to pick Extended Stay Hotels is because every studio includes its own kitchen. Don't spend a fortune eating out all the time while you're on the road. Instead, take a quick stop at the grocery store and go back to your temporary pad to cook and relax.

If you eat in, you don't have to face the awkward situation of eating alone and yet can take a break from business for a meal, instead of eating with clients and/or coworkers all the time. Also, you don't need to depend on finding the local pizza or Chinese take-out place night after night if you cook for yourself. Instead, you have the option to have more variety and eat healthier. And, you can even prepare food that's faster than eating out or waiting for delivery, giving you more time to relax at the end of a busy day.

Cooking doesn't need to take long and it doesn't need to be difficult. You can even cook your own meals with minimal effort and few kitchen skills, but let's face it, you don't want clean many dishes. So consider making one pot meals. These dishes don't have to require a lot of ingredients, since you will most likely be throwing out the extra food at the end of your trip. There are great advantages to a room with a kitchen, so make the most of this valuable feature.

For some ideas on quick, one-pot meals for your next long hotel stay, take a look at the websites below for some great food options.