If your job includes customer experience (CX) and you’re new to the space, you may wonder what a Customer Experience Expo is like. Or you’re an old pro in this field considering attending one for the first time. In either case, here’s what you need to know about this event series before buying your ticket:
Set Your Goals
If you are attending a CX expo, you have an idea of what you would like to get out of it. You can use this as a guide as you plan your day. Take note of the most important things you want to see, who will be there and what topics they will be speaking on. Setting these goals ahead of time makes it easier to manage your time effectively.
As with any event, planning is critical! Plan everything, so there is no last-minute stress or panic when deciding what sessions or speakers to see at the show. Consider writing down some questions so that when meeting someone or listening to a speaker’s presentation, ask them these questions, which may give insight into how they work within their organisation and if their approach aligns with yours.
Research the Expo and Speakers
Before attending a conference, research is the most important thing to do! Find out who is speaking, what topics are being covered and if there will be any guest speakers or special guests participating in panel discussions. You should also check to see what the schedule looks like so you can plan your day accordingly.
Don’t Sacrifice Personal Wellness for Networking
“As much as we love seeing the people who have been at our side for the past few years, it’s important to remember that you must take care of yourself. That means making sure you are eating well and getting enough sleep. You can’t be your best if you don’t care for yourself!
Also, remember self-care! Take some time off from work or set aside time for yourself throughout the day to focus on what matters most: building relationships with your customers and helping them solve problems. It’s easy to get caught up in all the excitement around these events but remember.
Go to the Keynote Speeches
The keynote speeches are a great way to get inspired and discover what’s new in the world of customer experience. The speakers at these keynotes can be some of the most interesting and exciting people at the conference—they’re often thought leaders or people who have made significant strides in their careers by developing excellent customer experience practices.
Keynotes also give you an overview of what’s going on at the conference: you’ll hear about hot topics, trends, and innovations that will help guide your efforts.
Bring Business Cards
The best way to network is with business cards. They’re small, they only take up a little space in your pocket or bag, and they share all the information you need about yourself: contact information and a short line describing who you are and what your company does.
So, if you’re attending a customer experience expo for the first time (or even if you’re an old pro), bring plenty of business cards—and then hand them out as liberally as possible!
Go to After-Parties or Social Events
Social events are the way to go if you want to meet people. They’re an excellent opportunity to network and get to know other attendees. Many people attend one or two after-parties and then head back home. But there are plenty of events happening on the first night, so take advantage of them! Some will be hosted by vendors who want you to try their products while they’re still buzzed from the expo floor (you’ll likely find yourself in this situation). Third parties will sponsor others without connection with conference sponsors or speakers.
Before you attend a CX Expo, there are some things you should know about. First of all, these events are designed to help companies learn about their customers and improve their marketing campaigns. This means attendees get hands-on experience with the latest technology innovations in customer experience, like CRM systems and customer service management software solutions.