by Gary Fleisher
The International Builder Show (IBS) stands as the ‘Event of the Year’ for professionals across the construction, design, and real estate sectors, offering an unparalleled convergence of ideas, innovations, and networking opportunities. Yet, amid the bustling exhibition halls, keynote speeches, and endless networking events, attendees can easily find themselves awash in a sea of information, struggling to grasp the full value of their experience.
Ken Semler – Impresa Modular
To transform this wealth of exposure into actionable insights and meaningful connections, a structured approach to post-convention follow-through is essential.
Here is an expanded and detailed guide to ensure that every participant can fully leverage their experience at IBS or any large convention.
Immediately After Returning Home
Debrief and Organize: The journey to maximizing your convention experience begins the moment you return home. Within the first 24 to 48 hours, it’s crucial to sift through the myriad of business cards, brochures, and copious notes you’ve accumulated. Organizing these materials into a coherent system allows for easier access and review. A debriefing session, whether solo or with your team, to document key takeaways, innovative ideas, and personal impressions from the show, can serve as a valuable reflective practice, cementing the knowledge and inspiration you’ve gained.
Prioritize Follow-ups: With your insights neatly organized, the next step involves prioritizing follow-ups. Evaluate the contacts and ideas based on their relevance and potential impact on your current projects and long-term goals. Identifying these priorities early ensures that you can act on them while the information is still fresh and the connections still warm.
.
First Week After the Convention
Follow-up Communications: The initial week post-convention is critical for initiating follow-up communications. Reach out to the most vital contacts you’ve made—potential vendors, future partners, or peers who shared valuable insights. Crafting personalized messages that reflect your interactions at IBS not only demonstrates your genuine interest but also lays the groundwork for strong professional relationships.
Plan Implementation: Armed with new ideas and potential solutions, begin outlining how to integrate these into your current projects or workflow. This may involve scheduling brainstorming sessions with your team to explore the feasibility of implementing new products or strategies or drafting a timeline for pilot tests and evaluations. Early planning ensures that the momentum from the convention is harnessed effectively, turning inspiration into action.
Within the First Month
Implementation and Experimentation: With plans in place, the focus shifts to implementation and experimentation. Start integrating new ideas, testing out products, or employing novel strategies gleaned from the convention. Monitoring these initiatives closely allows you to gauge their effectiveness and make necessary adjustments, ensuring that the insights gained from IBS translate into tangible benefits for your projects or business.
Extended Follow-ups: For those contacts and ideas that intrigued you but didn’t fit into your immediate priorities, the weeks following the convention provide a perfect window for re-engagement. Reaching out to maintain these connections can foster future collaborations or uncover opportunities that were not initially apparent.
Regarding Focus Loss
The excitement and clarity that accompany the convention experience can diminish more quickly than many anticipate. Without deliberate review and action, the details of what was learned and whom you met can begin to blur, diluting the potential impact of your attendance. The critical period for acting on the convention’s momentum is within the first two weeks. Beyond this, the urgency to act and the vividness of your memories start to fade, making it imperative to initiate follow-through actions promptly.
Long-term Engagement
Reflection and Review: To sustain the benefits of your convention experience, set periodic milestones for evaluating the progress and efficacy of implemented ideas or new contacts. This ongoing review process not only helps in adjusting strategies as needed but also reinforces the value of your attendance, ensuring long-term benefits from the convention.
Networking: The relationships forged at the International Builder Show can serve as invaluable assets. Continuously nurturing these contacts through regular communication and collaboration opportunities can open doors to future projects, partnerships, and insights, enriching your professional network and growth potential.
By adopting this comprehensive approach to post-convention engagement, attendees of the International Builder Show—or any large industry event—can significantly enhance the return on their investment. Turning the inspiration and connections garnered at such events into actionable and beneficial outcomes not only amplifies the immediate value of attending but also contributes to sustained professional development and success.
.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FEBRUARY ISSUE
.
Gary Fleisher is a renowned blogger and commentator on construction and housing trends, known for his insightful analysis of the industry.
