Do you plan to attend the fair
Maison & Objet
which will hold its next edition in September in Paris? You are in luck, because it is an internationally renowned event considered a benchmark in the world of decoration and gifts. This biannual event offers you the opportunity to see first-hand the production of different professionals, show your own and do business.
But before traveling to the French capital and visiting the fairgrounds, it is advisable to plan your visit. This way, you will be sure that it is a real success. At Catwalk we help you to achieve it.
Tips to make the most of your visit to a trade fair
Before visiting the seven pavilions of Maison & Objet at the Paris Nord – Villepinte exhibition center, consider these tips. They will allow you to make the most of the time you spend getting to know the approximately 2,500 exhibitors that are expected to be installed. If you will also be using one of these displays, these recommendations will also be of great help to you.
1. Follow up with suppliers
Hundreds of potential suppliers of your business will show their products at this fair. Therefore, it is necessary to follow up on those who have confirmed their presence in order to identify which ones are of interest to you. Look for those whose products may be attractive to your establishment.
You have to be realistic. You will not have enough time to visit all the stands. For this reason, we recommend that you choose a limited number of them. For example, a dozen. Focus on these and explore their websites or the profiles they have opened in the different social networks. This way, you will be able to get to know them better and even make a forecast of the order you are going to place.
2. Review the objectives you have set for yourself.
Before embarking on your journey to the city of light, establish what goals you aspire to achieve. They can be of different types:
- Close the purchase of innovative items that will give a new impulse to your business.
- To make your production known for possible sales.
- Keep up to date with the latest trends in the world of design.
- Doing business at a fair that is far from those of a commercial nature open to the general public.
- Meet producers and artisans with whom to exchange knowledge and establish synergies.
- Promote your brand image among other professionals in the sector.
Whatever your purpose for attending the fair, keep it in mind at all times. This is the only way to ensure that you will be able to fulfill it without getting sidetracked from your main task.
3. Maintain contacts
Events like this open the door tostrategic networking . Referrals are referrals to both distributors and customers with whom you can do business. It is the ideal time to put a face to them, talk to them and establish the basis for a profitable business relationship.
In this regard, issues such as:
- Live demonstrations of some items.
- Attending or convening product presentations.
- The exchange of cards with telephone numbers and e-mail addresses.
- Distribution of promotional material.
- To close agreements or lay the groundwork for doing so in the future.
4. Taking stock of the budget
This budget must include all the expenses that you have foreseen in advance:
- Travel and transfers
- Lodging.
- Diets.
- Booth rental or entrance fee.
- Other services.
To all these costs, you must add a financial item to cover possible unforeseen events during your stay in Paris. The result will be a figure that you will have to evaluate as a whole. Analyze if you can recover the money you have invested or if the expense you are about to make is worth it or not.
In addition, budgeting will help you control what you spend and what you spend it on, without any unpleasant surprises. On your return, check to see if the accounts add up.
5. Adopt the trends you have learned about
If your presence at Maison & Objet will be as an exhibitor, don’t forget to adopt the trends that are currently in fashion. In this way, you will be sure to attract the attention of the visiting public and follow in the wake of the prevailing tastes. You can show, for example, original gifts for women and for men. that other companies will buy.
If, on the other hand, you plan to participate in this initiative as a visitor, take the opportunity to make the trends you see in each pavilion your own . Apply them to your business back home. This way, you will follow the latest fashion dictates in terms of design and gifts. You will also be ahead of your main competitors, which your customers will appreciate.
6. Follow up on the conclusions of the fair
Once this fair, considered an international benchmark, has been held, it is advisable to follow up on its conclusions. Find out more about aspects such as:
- How many people have taken part (visitors, participants, etc.).
- What has been its impact on the media.
- How do the exhibitors and the public rate the event?
- How many countries have been present in one way or another in its last edition.
- How it is reflected in the most diverse social networks.
You can also draw your own conclusions of your participation in this event. Do it taking into account different perspectives. The economic one will be one of the most outstanding. No less relevant is the one referring to the contacts you have made and the sales you are about to close. Take into consideration the business that you will be formalizing in the following weeks as a result of your trip.
In conclusion, your participation in an event like Maison & Objet will be a success if you plan it carefully enough. Don’t leave anything to chance when it comes to organizing your attendance at the fair that can be a decisive boost to your work. To do this, follow the tips we have put together in this post. Your presence in this and other fairs will be a success.
