10 tips for your trade fair visit (online & offline) in 2023

Preparation is half the battle - especially when visiting a trade fair. So make sure you take a look at the exhibitors and companies beforehand. You can find information on this on the trade fair website or in the trade fair catalog.

For example, Internorga divides its exhibitors into different categories and theme-based halls to give you a better overview of the individual areas. You can find more information about Internorga 2025 here.

Find out about companies in your sector and check the trade fair map to see where they are located. Preparation also includes comparing different exhibitors with similar products or services.

If you have several exhibitors in mind with whom you would like to start discussions, then create a walking plan that can navigate you to the selected stands. At larger trade fairs in particular, the stands are spread across different halls, which is why it is easy to get lost. If you are well prepared, you can save both time and nerves, because nothing is more tedious than being in the wrong place.

Our tip: If you are not visiting the trade fair as a company representative but are looking for a job, check the company's website for advertised vacancies. A website often also offers an insight into the corporate culture and values of the company. This is the best way to prepare for your first contact with your desired employer.

If you come across interesting exhibitors and companies during your research, it is a good idea to contact the HR department or make an appointment directly via the trade fair website. Introduce yourself briefly and state your intention. This could be an application, a cooperation request or an interview request, for example. Add that you have become aware that the company is also exhibiting at the trade fair and that you are interested in a personal exchange.

Ideally, an appointment can be arranged in advance. If you get an appointment, make sure that you know the key information about the company and that you have looked into the products or services. Our tip: It is also a good idea to have suitable documents such as a cooperation agreement, a portfolio of your company or a draft offer with you at the event.

Seeing and being seen is an important part of a trade fair visit - especially for companies. Through face-to-face discussions and presence, you can also raise your company's profile and strengthen your brand. Customer acquisition has a higher success rate at trade fairs due to direct contact and is therefore the perfect place to make connections with new customers, suppliers and potential partners.

People visit trade fairs for a variety of reasons: Some want to talk to exhibitors in order to exchange ideas within the industry. Others want to get in touch with customers or suppliers to discuss further cooperation. Still others are looking for a suitable job, are attending as a companion or simply want to be inspired by innovative ideas and new products.

Think about why you want to visit the trade fair and set yourself goals for your visit. For example, if you are visiting Internorga , your goals could be as follows:

1. Talk to customer X, Y, Z about satisfaction and further cooperation
2. Pay a visit to the Newcomer Area to look for sustainable alternatives such as #IAMPLASTICFREEdrinking straws
3. Get new inspiration at the Skywalk table at Internorga for the table decoration area

These goals will help you to make the most of your visit to the trade fair. At the end of the day, you can see whether you were able to fulfill your own requirements and what new collaborations or contacts have been made.

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If you are heading to a job fair, there are a few important preparations to make. The first thing you should do is update your CV. Remember that sometimes less is more and a well-structured page often looks better than three pages of CV. Focus on the most important milestones in your professional career and try to include both your soft skills and your hard skills. Soft skills include abilities such as teamwork, conflict management, solution-oriented thinking, independence and flexibility. Your hard skills describe the skills you have learned and your knowledge or experience in the respective field of activity. These can usually be proven with degrees, certificates or awards.

Getting your CV up to scratch helps you to keep an overview of your career to date and at the same time get an idea of your future. Think about where you would like to work in the future or which aspects are important to you in a new job. This will prepare you for interactions with other trade fair visitors as well as for discussions with exhibitors. If you end up exchanging contact information with a company, you can use your prepared CV to send your application documents quickly.

Our tip: If you are visiting a trade fair as a company representative, it is also worth updating the company's portfolio and taking note of new trends and innovations.

Even before the first "Hello, I am..." you have made a first impression. How? Through your appearance, body language and facial expressions.

That's why a well-groomed appearance is the be-all and end-all for a good first impression. Lay out your clothes before the day of the fair and check that they are clean and in good condition. It should be professional clothing in which you still feel comfortable - after all, trade fair days can be long.

Whether you feel comfortable is crucial for the second factor: your charisma and body language. If you feel comfortable in your clothes, you will radiate this. The other person notices this and thus becomes aware of your self-confidence and satisfaction. Try to keep an open posture during the conversation and remain calm. Regardless of whether you are looking for new contacts, sales partners or new employers, just remember: at the end of the day, you have nothing to lose, but can only gain new contacts and experiences.

Our tip: Practice your posture and appearance in front of a mirror. So-called "power positions" can also help you to feel and radiate more self-confidence shortly before your "performance".

Once the first impression has been created by your appearance, it's time to convince with an interview. Show your best side and try to approach your interviewer openly. To start a successful interview, it is therefore useful to think beforehand about how you would like to introduce yourself briefly and what your goals are for the interview. Show that you have researched the company and explain why exactly you are interested in the company. You should also share what opportunities you see for a meeting. Have your contact details ready to set up follow-up appointments.

You can also be remembered by asking questions. The following questions should serve as inspiration:

• How do you envision working together?
• What is the company's vision?
• What do you value most about your company?
• What would be the conditions for a cooperation?
• Is there a discount for a higher purchase quantity?
• Does sustainability play a role?
• Questions about the services and products

Job search:

• What is the company's corporate culture like?
• Are there opportunities to expand your professional knowledge before the interview/start of work?

By asking questions, you not only show your general interest, but also that you are familiar with the company in advance and have also prepared extensively for the interview.

You can also discuss current topics relating to the industry or the job market in general in an introductory interview. For example, you can talk about new forms of work aka "New Work" and share your experiences in this area. We have summarized what exactly is behind "New Work" and how "New Work" can be implemented in the hospitality industryhere

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Whether your intention is job hunting, making new collaborations or just pure inspiration, events bring people together and provide talking points. That's why it doesn't hurt to take a look at the topics of the events and current trends beforehand. For example, there are seminars in almost every area on the topics of digitalization, sustainability or entrepreneurship. Attending events makes it easier to talk to other people and is therefore an essential part of networking.

In addition, lectures, tastings, discussions and workshops provide further professional training and you can find like-minded people who share similar interests, such as plastic-free alternatives or smart digital solutions for everyday life. At events in particular, participants are more open and at the same time more accessible for exchanging contact details.

Our tip: Network not only by email or phone, but also via social platforms such as XING or LinkedIn. This will allow you to stay in touch and at the same time see what is going on in the company, what topics their employees are working on and what new products and services are available.

Of course, attending a virtual trade fair differs in key aspects from the trade fairs we have known up to now. Due to the Corona crisis, it is unfortunately not possible to hold trade fairs in a larger event setting at the moment. However, numerous trade fair organizers have come up with creative concepts to make trade fairs on the World Wide Web possible.

Social channels in particular are being used to communicate information and interact with other exhibitors and visitors. Take an active part in these discussions and draw attention to your expertise and new ideas. To stay up to date, follow the trade fair on Instagram, Facebook or Linkedin or sign up for a newsletter if the trade fair offers one.

If you discover exhibitors that interest you during your research, follow them on the social platforms too. Companies often publish both basic information and current issues such as open positions for Food & Beverage Managers, tips on the green revolution in the hospitality industry or other online events on industry-specific topics.

Not only events that take place in person, but also online events offer a good opportunity for networking. Comment and chat functions at virtual events allow you to interact with others and find people with common interests.

At the same time, you can become aware of companies that deal with your areas of interest. So keep your eyes open for exciting events and topics and you will be surprised at how many different areas of specialization there are.

Through online events such as lectures and discussions, you can expand your knowledge, discover new innovative products and get to know exciting companies (especially start-ups).

During these special times, both the trade fair organizers and the participating exhibitors come up with special promotions and offers to reach their virtual visitors.

For example, Bar Convent Berlin has put together and sent out three different tasting boxes filled with samples of wine, spirits and small delicacies. This means that the "real" trade fair experience, which involves tasting, feeling and smelling, can take place within your own four walls. Don't be put off by the prices of additional offers. If you were to visit the trade fair on site, there would also be costs for travel, food and drink, etc.

Our tip: Especially if the exhibitors and companies you are interested in offer such deals, this is a good starting point for making initial contact and a subsequent conversation. You can also be impressed by the product quality and communication. Use this perhaps unique opportunity to your advantage.

Preparation is the be-all and end-all, especially at trade fairs. Detailed trade fair preparation as a visitor helps you to maintain an overview, define your own goals and make contact with selected companies. At the same time, it contributes to self-confidence, as you have dealt extensively with your own interests and intentions and are fully informed about the other companies. Appropriate planning opens up further opportunities such as cooperation, new customers, a job, etc., which you would otherwise not have taken advantage of. Despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis, you don't have to miss out on a visit to the trade fair, but can take the next step towards the future from the comfort of your own home.

Here are all the points on the "Trade fair preparation for visitors" checklist:

• Take a look at the exhibitors/companies beforehand
• Contact selected companies and make an appointment
• Set goals for your visit to the fair
• Update your CV/company portfolio
• First impressions count
• Think about what you want to say
• Take part in events
• Follow the trade fair on social media
• Interact with exhibitors and at online events
• Take advantage of special offers

We wish you lots of success and fun during your visit to the trade fair. Whether on site or virtually, you are now well equipped for your successful visit to a trade fair. Do you have any other tips for an excellent trade fair visit? Then please share them in the comments!