attending a beauty show hair show nail show makeup industry convention
Show season is again upon us! Attending an industry trade show is a great way to stay current with products and trends. Beauty providers often hit the shows to shop at a discount and watch demos and learn how to use the products they just bought. But shopping is just scratching the surface. The opportunities at trade shows go far beyond saving some money on the products you use and love. Use this as your ultimate guide to making the most of your beauty show experience. attending a beauty show hair show nail show makeup industry convention
Education
Every industry trade show has some form of education on offer. Take advantage of this opportunity to become an even better you. Depending on the show, the education is free or provided for a small fee. The classes range from manufacturer classes to hands-on workshops. The education available at trade shows is an enormous value; you’re already in the building – you might as well.
A word of caution: Manufacturer classes can sometimes come across like an extended commercial, so be savvy about where you spend your time. At The Nailscape, we provide education independent of products or brands so that you know there are no ulterior motives to what we’re saying. Education at a trade show is a low risk/high benefit scenario, and you can’t go wrong with classes on social media, business, and any CE classes that help you maintain your license, if applicable in your state. attending a beauty show hair show nail show makeup industry convention
Plan your shopping schedule around your classes, not the other way around. You just might learn something new that will help you make even more money to shop with next year. Add your wishlist classes to your phone calendar with an alert so you don’t miss any. Missing classes can and does happen when the show floor and the activity distracts you. Setting an alert can help counteract that.
Networking
As we stated in a previous post, networking is paramount to making the most of your show experience. You can potentially meet your new nail bestie at a show, all you have to do is say hello. If there are any after show events, make a point to stop in and see what’s happening. It’s amusing how some industry events can resemble a high school lunchroom; groups at tables with bored expressions, no one making the effort to connect. If you’re looking to squeeze every drop of juice from your show experience, make the effort to walk around and meet a few new people. You never know who you might meet and how it can affect your career trajectory.
Having your business cards on you is Networking Rule #1. Whether your goal is to connect with other attendees or the brands you love, leaving your card at a booth will often lead to follow up emails and continued conversation. attending a beauty show hair show nail show makeup industry convention
Presentation
Even if you’re a solo nail tech, you must represent your brand well at a show. You’re there as the representative of your salon, your career, and your public persona. Ensure that the response to your presence at the show will have the most positive reception by representing yourself well at the show and surrounding venues. There are eyeballs everywhere and if you’re the one twerking on a waiter at the steakhouse near the convention center, you do you, just understand it will color others’ perception of you and can limit brand partnerships and job opportunities later on. This isn’t to say you can’t have fun at a beauty show. Please do! Just understand that people love gossip and will talk about things if there are things to talk about.
The other half of presentation is covering the basics like having your own nails/hair/makeup/wardrobe, whatever your specialty is, on point. Dress to impress, you’re technically at work.
Shopping
Every show is overwhelming. The music, the crowds, and the colors assail the senses, and no matter how many shows you attend, it doesn’t get any less frantic. Having a plan is smart to make sure you see everything you wanted to, and you don’t miss an opportunity. Prior to the show, look up the exhibitors and floor plan on the show website, understanding that both of those can change up until the show opens. Plot your must-see booths and classes, and make a list. Many shows now have an app that allow you to make a personal schedule, which is helpful to eliminate steps. Make a list of the items you use in your salon that need restocking, so you can take advantage of show special pricing.
When you arrive at the show, grab an on-site guide from the entrance and plan your attack. Visit the booths of products you use and introduce yourself and check out what is new. View some demos and price the items you need to restock (from the list you brought with you – so prepared!) The list will keep you from overspending and buying literally everything you see.
Social Media
Check in on your social media at least every few hours to see what extra-curricular activities are happening in and around the show. Brands and industry magazines will likely hold meet-ups that you’ll want to attend for networking and giveaways, and we guarantee you’ll see a brand that you’ve missed by checking in on social. It also builds your credibility with your clients that you’re at a show and bettering yourself, so make sure you post from the show on your social channels.
Practice good social media etiquette and refrain from taking video or live streaming from the classrooms. It’s bad form to take video of educators without their permission, and live streaming a class cheapens the class for the people who are there in person at their expense. attending a beauty show hair show nail show makeup industry convention
Take Aways
The show experience is an investment and every show experience is different. Being mindful of your goals going into the show weekend will help you get as much out of the experience as possible. What are your tried and true tips for an excellent show experience? Let us know in the comments below. attending a beauty show hair show nail show makeup industry convention