Show Notes:
It’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day duties of running your business within the four walls of your shop. In this episode, my guest Darrin Stern and I will shine a light on the value and benefits of attending trade shows.
Darrin is the Show Director of the h+h americas trade show, a brand extension of a long-running show h+h Cologne in Germany. h+h americas unites makers and wholesalers of all crafting industries: a one-stop source for everything one would need as a professional maker, a retail shop owner, an e-commerce shop owner, and/or an educator.
The Value and Benefits of Trade Shows
- The Human Element: When sourcing materials, it is our nature to want to see and feel things before purchasing. We benefit from hearing about the products and their stories through human interactions. We want to truly understand how it will impact our bottom line.
“Digital is a great way to source items to begin exploration, but when you’re looking at a wholesale level, it’s less of an impulse buy and it’s more of a business decision.” – Darrin Stern
- The One Stop Shop: You can save so much time and money by attending trade shows when so many quality vendors and educators are under one roof.
- Building Relationships: Spending time and listening to equally passionate people talk about their craft/product is a valuable way to make business connections. Specifically at h+h americas, there are multiple opportunities and components of education that make this trade show unique. There are daily keynote speakers, fireside chats, masterclasses, business courses, retailer meet-ups, and demonstrations.
- Connection with Like-minded People: You’ll have the opportunity to see/hear stories from others that are all part of this passion industry whose jobs aren’t over at 5pm. These valuable conversations are where the magic happens.
- You don’t know what you don’t know: You have to leave your bubble to grow!
Join Darrin Stern (and me!) at the h+h americas trade show if you are in the creative or craft business. Here are the details:
h+h americas trade show
Donald E. Stephens Convention & Conference Center in Rosemont
Chicago, IL
Dates: June 21-23, 2023 (Masterclasses start on June 20)
Tickets on sale: March 15, 2023, use promo code CST23 to get free access to the exhibit floor
Listen on: Apple Podcasts |Spotify | Radio Republic | YouTube | PlayerFM | Stitcher | iHeartRadio
About Darrin:
Darrin has been with Koelnmesse for 19 years, serving thousands of companies to reach global markets. While working for Koelnmesse, he has had the pleasure of working in a number of industries, with non-profit organizations to help suppliers and buyers connect to build their businesses.
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