It can be hard to find what you need, especially on the Internet. Countless companies and freelancers share content only to get lost in a sea of information. Convention shows and expos are great resources for any industry, especially for Business-to-Business (B2B). Hospitality cons and expos give many a chance to network, find opportunities, and spot upcoming trends. Michael Jacobs, CEO and Founder of JI Bases knows this well and uses shows to his advantage.

Last month, Michael attended the Hospitality + Design Con (HD Con) in Las Vegas and the National Restaurant Association Show (NRA Show) in Chicago. At bigger shows like these, it can be easy to get distracted. To get the most out of a con, Michael recommends navigating with a focus. “You’re going [to a con or expo] to look for a specific need,” he explains, “so make sure you get what you’re looking for.” Download the floor plan or map of the event and plan out your entire walkthrough. Keep in mind exhibits may not be grouped by genre. After you stop by all your must-sees, go back to the exhibits that caught your attention.

If you’re ever looking for Michael at a con, you can find him out and about networking. One best practice for sticking out and being memorable is establishing your brand quickly. For example, JI Bases has over 60 years of experience in table bases, especially cast iron—and we offer a lifetime warranty on cast iron table base parts! Once you establish your brand, you’ll of course want to share your contact information. Be sure to bring a substantial amount of business cards—or even upgrade to a virtual contact card. After low attendance due to Covid-19 restrictions, Michael noted that attendance has steadily increased year over year.

Since cons and expos are annual at best, there’s a lot of downtime between them. Use this time to research upcoming shows and decide which to attend. When asked which convention show he anticipates the most, Michael says he’s torn! The HD Con, NRA Show, and NeoCon in Chicago are all great shows, and he makes plans to attend every year. He plans to attend the “Bright World of Metals” for the first time this month. As a cast iron aficionado, he is excited to learn even more about the versatile and sturdy material. Overall, he’s looking forward to more growth and development in future years, especially toward more sustainable products and services in Hospitality.