Whether you have started your own store, started working for a company as a buyer, or are going with your colleagues – going to a fashion fair for the first time can be overwhelming. FashionUnited offers first aid for the first trade fair visit and lists a number of tips.
Preparation
Good preparation is half the battle. Therefore, we recommend these points to keep an eye on:
Entrance pass and timetable: Make sure you have your access pass ready and see if there are specific times for any presentations, networking events or workshops you want to attend.
Goals and focus: Consider in advance what your goals are for the fair. Do you want to discover new brands, expand your network or make targeted purchases? This will help you organize your day efficiently.
Business cards: Whether you have a physical business card or a QR code to scan – make sure you can easily share your information with your conversation partner.
Comfortable clothing: Because you will be walking and standing a lot, it is important to wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
In your bag: Bring your own (filled) water bottle, paracetamol, notebook and a charged power bank. The day sometimes flies by without enough breaks, so staying hydrated is important. If you do get a headache, you have paracetamol at hand. Your notebook can contain a list of the stands you definitely want to visit.
Company: Do you have the opportunity to bring someone with you? By all means do that. You often see more together than alone and that can provide additional insights.
Route plan: If the exhibition floor is large, plan the stands you absolutely want to visit. This helps you avoid missing important brands or products.
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An ideal daily schedule
The day has arrived and you are ready. A few more things to keep in mind.
Be flexible: Sometimes an exhibitor or event can offer an unexpected opportunity, so be flexible in your planning.
Documentation: Take notes, take photos and collect brochures so that you can process everything properly after the fair.
09:45 – 10:00: Arrival and registration
Arrival: Try to reach the fair on time to avoid it becoming too busy. This gives you the opportunity to register (or check in) quietly and get a first impression of the fair. Most fairs open their doors at 10:00 am.
Reception material: Take the exhibition catalog with you, or download the digital version. This helps you quickly find the exhibitors, presentations and events you want to visit.
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Explore the show floor and notice what interests you
Start with the big stands: Start your day by exploring the bigger brands and designers. This will give you an overview of what’s on the market and help you get a feel for current trends.
Take notes: If you find certain brands or items interesting, take quick notes or photos for later. You can always come back to discuss further.
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10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Visit specific designers and fashion companies
New brands and emerging talents: Now focus on smaller or emerging brands. Modefabriek is often a platform for young designers, so this is the time to discover what is going on in the fashion world.
Compare products: Look at the diversity in styles, colors and materials. This helps you to be better informed about what is going on in the fashion industry and which products suit your preferences.
Request more information: Ask for ordering or distribution information if you are interested in collaboration or purchasing.
12:00 – 13:00: Lunch break and networking
Lunch time: Whether you go for a quick lunch or not – use this time to take a breath. Please note that lunch is free at some fairs, but not at others. So keep this in mind that it can be an expense.
Our tip for lunchtime: Make some quick notes too. During appointments or in between, it is sometimes not possible to put your thoughts on paper, but this is possible when you are sitting at a table having lunch. By taking notes at this time you ensure that you have not forgotten at the end of the day because a lot more information will be added in the afternoon.
Networks: Are you alone at the fair? Then try joining other people at the table or having a chat in the queue for food. You might just stumble upon a valuable connection!
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1:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Attend seminars and presentations
To attend sessions: Not every fair offers inspiration sessions or seminars, but if they are on the schedule and you have a choice for a time, then the afternoon is ideal for this. This means you have already checked off several items from your to-do list, but you are not yet too ready to take in the information.
Modefabriek often offers various seminars, workshops or presentations, so check the schedule in advance to determine which ones may be most valuable to you. This could be an opportunity to learn more about trends, marketing strategies, sustainability in fashion or other relevant topics.
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Dive deeper into specific sections
Specialization: Now explore the sections that interest you most (e.g. fashion accessories, streetwear, sustainable fashion, etc.). Now is the time to take a deeper dive into the segments that are relevant to you.
Talk to representatives: This is an excellent time to ask any questions about products, production processes or purchasing conditions.
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4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Network with other professionals
Final visit: Make a final lap around the exhibition floor. This is a good time to visit the stands that you had not gotten around to before. Most fairs close at 5:00 PM, although networking drinks are often organized.
Make appointments for follow-up: If you have found interesting brands or suppliers, make follow-up appointments to discuss or negotiate further.
Network active: At the end of the day, many fairs become a bit quieter, so use this moment to go to stands that may have been too busy before. This can provide valuable connections, especially if you are looking for collaboration opportunities or future business opportunities.
After the event:
Aftercare: Add the people you met on LinkedIn or send a follow-up email with the topic you talked about. This way you are immediately top of mind again and there is a greater chance that you will create a lasting connection.
Choice stress? Although a fair always provides a lot of impressions and information, you want to rely on your own memory. The things that really make an impression stick around – so be the first to act on this information.
Source: fashionunited.nl
