Fall is quickly approaching and for commercial real estate, that means trade show season is fast approaching as well. Trade shows can be overwhelming, especially if you are a newcomer to your industry. Whether you plan to be an exhibitor at a show or are an attendee looking to network, you want to make the most of your time at a show.

Here are tips from the trade show experts at Weingarten Realty to help you do just that –

1. Plan ahead . What do you want to accomplish during your visit?
2. Get a list of attendees and pick out who you want to meet with. Did you know that all ICSC shows provide an attendee list? Anyone who is registered for a show has access.
3. Bring an external charger for your devices. A phone with a dead battery is the last thing you want to deal with.
4. Grab a map or bookmark the trade show floor plan on your phone. Trade shows can feature hundreds of companies and retailers – make sure you know where you want to go.
5. Review the trade show programming and make time for seminars that interest you.
6. Utilize social media. Let’s people know you will be at a show and engage with the trade show community through hashtags.
7. Give yourself “free time” to eat, relax and walk around. Trade show days are long.
8. At the end of the show reflect on what you learned, gather information you received, and put together a follow up plan.