National Clothesline

It is Herculean task to see every exhibit at a show as large as Clean ’07, but most people who attend the show have some specific things in mind that they want to see.

Advance planning can give a solid return on your investment of time and money. Here are 10 ideas for maximizing your Clean ’07 visit.

1. Set specific goals. Think about what you want to accomplish. Are you ready to purchase or upgrade equipment? Do you want to learn about new technologies? Do you want solutions to a business problem? Do you want to interact with colleagues and friends? Prioritize what is important to you.

2. Develop a plan of action. Search by product or exhibiting company on the Clean ’07 web site (www.cleanshow.com) to find the items you would like to see. Then locate them on the web ’s floor plan. Divide the floor into sections and plan to visit one section at a time to avoid excess walking.

3. Learn in the classroom. Take advantage of the many educational sessions offered by the show’s sponsors.

You would pay hundreds of dollars for these session in another setting, but they are included in your Clean Show registration fee. They are scheduled from 8 to 10 each morning so you will have plenty of time to visit the exhibit floor.

4. Make advance appointments. For products you are particularly interested in seeing, you may want to make an advance appointment with the exhibitor of that product. This ensures that you will get one-on-one time.

5. Use the Clean Show web site’s itinerary planner. Once you determine the booths you definitely want to visit, the educational sessions you want to attend, and the appointments you have made, this useful tool will help you organize your visit.

6. Don’t miss the “new” stuff. Leave enough time in your plan to walk around to the new or smaller booths. You might find a new product that is just right for your operation.

If you walk against the flow of traffic, or walk the floor in the early morning or late afternoon when traffic might be lighter, you may make better progress.

7. Control the conversation. You don’t have to listen patiently if an exhibitor waxes eloquent on features of his product that don ’t concern you. Interrupt and steer the conversation toward how this product can meet your specific needs.

8. Take good notes. When the show is over, it can all seem like a jumble of information. Listening carefully and documenting the conversation can be invaluable in reviewing and analyzing what you saw.

Write on the back of each person’s business card, or make up and copy a short form of your own to note the points that are important to you.

9. Educate your coworkers. When you return home, share your new knowledge with coworkers who did not attend Clean ’07. They will feel like they had a part in it and can utilize the information to make your entire operation go more smoothly.

10. Be comfortable. Last, but perhaps most important, is how to avoid getting too tired. Wear light, comfortable clothes.

Las Vegas is hot. Wear comfortable walking shoes. You will walk miles on the exhibit floor. This is no place for open-toe sandals or stiletto heels.

Travel light. Carry only what you absolutely need. If you gather too much literature, mail it home from the building ’s business center.