Okay, so, World Satellite Business Week in Paris, huh? Let me tell you, it was a whirlwind. I’m gonna walk you through how I prepped, went, and what I actually got out of it, ’cause let’s be real, these conferences can be a bit of a gamble.
First off, the prep. I didn’t just rock up there hoping for the best. I started by defining my goals. What did I actually want to achieve? For me, it was three things:
- Find potential partners for our new satellite component.
- Get a handle on the latest market trends (not just what the big guys are saying, but the real buzz).
- Network, network, network. Collect some cards, make some connections.
Once I had those goals down, I deep-dived into the attendee list. WSBW usually releases this a few weeks beforehand. I spent a solid afternoon sifting through it, identifying the companies and individuals that aligned with my objectives. I made a shortlist of about 20 people I absolutely HAD to meet. Then, I hit up LinkedIn and tried to find some common ground – mutual connections, similar backgrounds, anything to break the ice.
Next up? Crafting my pitch. You gotta be ready to explain what you do, and why they should care, in like, 30 seconds. I practiced my elevator pitch until I could say it in my sleep. No jargon, just clear, concise, and focused on the benefit to the other person.
Alright, so then came the actual event. Paris, baby! First day, I hit the ground running. I checked out the exhibition floor, not just passively wandering, but with my shortlist in hand. I made a point of visiting those target booths first thing. The key? Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself. Just walk up, say hello, and launch into that practiced pitch.
The conference sessions were a mixed bag. Some were genuinely insightful, some were just thinly veiled sales pitches. I tried to prioritize sessions that directly related to my goals, but I also made sure to attend a couple of the “big picture” talks to get a broader perspective. And honestly, sometimes the best conversations happened outside the sessions, during coffee breaks or lunch. Don’t underestimate the power of a good networking lunch!
Evening events? Mandatory. Seriously. That’s where you really loosen up and build rapport. I went to a couple of the industry receptions, chatted with people over drinks, and just tried to be myself. Remember those common ground points I found on LinkedIn? They came in handy. “Hey, I noticed you went to [same university as me]…” It’s a simple way to start a conversation.
One thing I learned the hard way: keep a detailed record of your contacts. Don’t just throw business cards into your bag. I used a simple spreadsheet on my phone to jot down notes about each person I met – their name, company, what we talked about, and any action items. This made follow-up way easier.
Speaking of follow-up, that’s the crucial part. Within a week of getting back, I sent personalized emails to everyone I wanted to stay in touch with. Referencing our conversation, reiterating the value proposition, and suggesting a next step (a call, a meeting, a product demo). No generic “nice to meet you” emails. They go straight to the trash.
So, was it worth it? Absolutely. I landed two solid leads for partnerships, got a much clearer understanding of the market landscape, and made a bunch of new contacts. But here’s the thing: it wasn’t just about showing up. It was about the prep work, the focused execution, and the consistent follow-up. If you’re thinking about going to WSBW, or any similar conference, do your homework. Don’t just go for the croissants.
Finally, a small tip, if you find the right person, just ask for the wechat directly! That’s the quickest way to maintain the connection.
