Stephanie Selesnick

I took this question to mean how can organizers ask their exhibitors for feedback - so that's how I'll answer it. Ask the tough questions of your clients. Did you have a goal or goals? What were they? Did you achieve them? How were your engagements with visitors? What can you do better as an exhibitor next time? What can we, as show organizers, do better to help you succeed? ASK OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS. Then, read the answers and share with your exhibitors/sponsors what you've done/changed/modified in response to their feedback.

A lot of this has been broken down, but if your best employees or those you've identified with the most potential, it's a combination of things. Say thank you and "job well done." Don't underestimate these two things. BE KIND. Be reasonable and recognize everyone has a life outside of the office. Also: Pay more money. Provide benefits - good insurance, generous vacation/personal days. Reward hard work. Give more comp/paid days off after events. If someone works a whole weekend (including travel to show site or home), those count as 2 days, not one (I've seen that happen too many times!). Show a path for advancement. Then follow up on it. Be the kind of work place you would want to stay at forever.

Listen to it then SHARE the changes you've made in response to it. For changes not made, explain those decisions too. Honest feedback and action taking will deepen your relationship with stakeholders.

Ask visitors what their favorite and least favorite things were about your event - then pay attention. Also reach out to those visitors (and exhibitors) who didn't come back and ask why. Even though it can be a pain to review, make all of these questions open-ended.

It's your company/organization's responsibility to promote your presence at any exhibition. Of course having an attractive booth/stand that makes it easy for a buyer or prospect to understand what you sell as they walk buy (serendipity). Ahead of that: - Scour your database and try book appointments during the show. - Add "book an appointment with us or visit us at the XXX show, booth #: to all company signatures a month prior to show. - See if you can take advantage of list rentals of buyers in your sector attending from show management. - Ask show management if they have any (affordable) options to promote, especially if you're a first time exhibitor.

The days of gold, silver and bronze sponsorships are long gone. Experiences - macro and micro- are in! If you can offer the right people in the right way to a sponsor, a micro-experience may be the way to go. Think about elevated, curated experiences. Or if a sponsor wants to hit the masses, let them. Stop being stuck in the same old thing, different day.