Every year World of Modular hosts one of the largest conventions for Commercial modular contractors, Architects, designers, and suppliers in the US. It draws attendees and suppliers from dozens of countries and its speakers are some of the leading experts in all phases of offsite construction.
World of Modular (WOM) is a great way to learn about new trends, network with other professionals, and get inspired.
But if you want to get the most benefit from them, you need to be prepared.
Here are seven tips:
Research the conference.
Before you go, take some time to research WOM and find out which topics will be the most interesting for you and your company. This will help you decide which sessions to attend and what to focus on.
Create a networking plan.
One of the best things about WOM is the opportunity to network with other professionals in commercial modular. Make a list of people you want to meet and come up with a plan for how you’re going to approach them.
Be prepared to learn.
Attending sessions is a great way to learn about new trends and developments in commercial modular. But don’t just sit there and take notes – actively participate in the discussions and ask questions. You don’t get to meet or listen to so many speakers at one place. Take advantage of it.
Take advantage of the breaks.
Conferences are usually packed with sessions, so it’s important to take advantage of the breaks to recharge and network with other attendees. This is usually the best part of WOM. Please don’t squander it by calling your office and asking if there are any problems.
Stay up-to-date on social media.
Many conferences use social media to share updates and connect with attendees. Make sure you’re following the conference on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms. Also, follow other attendees’ social media accounts.
Follow up after the conference.
After WOM, don’t forget to follow up with the people you met and the ideas you learned about. Send them an email or connect with them on LinkedIn. You will meet a lot of people that can help you and your company but won’t if you don’t follow up.
Measure your results.
After WOM, take some time to measure your results. What did you learn? What connections did you make? How can you use what you learned to improve your business? You will be surprised how fast time flies by once you get home, so make sure you take lots of notes, grab literature and record speakers.
Additional Tips to Make World of Modular a Big Success
Following these tips will help you get the most benefit from your WOM experience. So get out there and start networking!
Dress professionally.
First impressions are important, so make sure you dress professionally for the conference. Blue jeans and plaid shirts might be OK for the Vegas Casino floor but not while you are at WOM.
Bring business cards.
You’ll want to have business cards on hand to exchange with other attendees. This should be on your Top Five list.
Be prepared to give a pitch.
You may be asked to give a pitch about your business or product. Practice your pitch beforehand so you’re confident in delivering it. Practice, practice, practice!
Be open to new ideas.
One of the best things about WOM is the opportunity to learn about new ideas. Be open to hearing new perspectives and learning new things.
HAVE FUN!
World of Modular can be a lot of work, but it’s also a lot of fun. Make sure you enjoy yourself and take advantage of the opportunity to network and learn and play.
Gary Fleisher is the Editor in Chief of Modular Home Source and Offsite Builder magazine. Email at [email protected]
