Reverse Trade Show is an event tailored to both suppliers and property management companies alike, with proceeds benefitting Multifamily NW’s legislative efforts.
Hosted Buyer and Reverse Trade Shows differ from traditional trade shows by providing buyers and suppliers the chance to meet one-on-one in pre-set appointment meetings rather than through open registration processes. To be successful, such an event requires robust online registration software with customizable appointment scheduling functionality.
What is a Reverse Trade Show?
Reverse trade shows are unique business networking events that switch the usual roles between attendees and exhibitors. Instead of property management companies being the “exhibitors”, service providers take on this speed-networking format instead. Furthermore, purchasing professionals from multiple agencies set up tables in order to meet suppliers, contractors, and consultants in an informal speed-networking format.
Vendors can use one-on-one meetings with procurement professionals from municipal, school board and college/university public entities to introduce themselves and learn more about upcoming tenders in these agencies. Furthermore, vendors can ask any pertinent questions regarding agency procurement processes and requirements.
Multifamily NW’s Reverse Trade Show event stands out as the only venue where property management company decision-makers will have guaranteed face time with your product or service, making this an effective cost-cutting way to reach powerful industry leaders while all proceeds benefit MFNW’s Defense Fund, helping support our legislative initiatives.
What is a Hosted Buyer Show?
Hosted buyer events differ from traditional trade shows in that attendees are specifically invited by organizers to meet exhibitors with travel expenses covered. Buyers are selected based on purchasing power, requirements, past purchasing history and potential future opportunities.
Buyers will then be matched up with suppliers and set up meetings, either in-person or virtually, through an effective registration processing system and customized appointment scheduling software. Achieve maximum success at these events is paramount.
Exhibitors can make use of hosted buyer programs to achieve significant return on their investments, particularly when they employ digital technology that enables attendees to meet with vendors specifically selected based on their buying profiles and preferences. Converve’s platform makes this possible in an efficient and productive manner – saving both parties both time and effort in their meetings with prospective vendors.
What is the Difference Between the Two?
Reverse Trade Shows and Hosted Buyer Shows share many key similarities: both involve both buyers and suppliers interacting, requiring robust online registration software and personalized appointment scheduling software, while drawing attendees through traditional open registration. A Hosted Buyer show often relies on pre-set meeting appointments between attendees versus relying on open registration processes for driving engagement between attendees.
Multifamily NW’s Reverse Trade Show is an invaluable networking event, as it guarantees face time with Property Management Companies at no cost, while all proceeds support our legislative fund. PMCs may send as many representatives as they like without incurring additional costs; Industry Partners pay a fee ($450 per pair of attendees).
At this speed networking event, Property Management Companies run booths (or tables), and Industry Partners circle around them introducing themselves and their products before moving to another table. The goal is to help business people understand government procurement while connecting with public agency representatives who may provide them with updates regarding current or upcoming bids.
What is the Future of Trade Shows?
As COVID-19 restrictions ease off, trade shows will need to adapt in order to remain viable. Their former glory may never return, but they will survive nonetheless.
Trade show booths have already implemented technology-enhanced engagement and value creation at events such as trade shows. Badge scanners track attendee movement while earpieces enable booth staffers to connect directly with visitors who visit.
Exhibitors are taking to innovative new methods of presenting products and services beyond the confines of the traditional booth, using transactive exhibits and augmented reality to offer visitors an engaging interactive experience beyond that which is limited by physical boundaries.
Kai Hattendorf, CEO of UFI, predicts that trade shows of the future will shift away from product displays and toward conversations, with technology playing an increasingly crucial role in improving event experiences; technology such as NPS surveys, exhibitor ROI calculations and gathering more insightful data being key factors here.
