The Expo is almost here – come networking with us...
Business cards? Check. One-minute pitch? Check. Following #EalingBizExpo on social media? Check. Then it's ready, set, go to the Ealing Business Expo & Networking Festival on Fri 9th and Sat 10th June at the Ealing Town Hall.
There's just one more thing to do that could come in handy beforehand, and that's to have a look through our 'Expo Guide' magazine, to get an idea of what to expect at the Expo.
It will be available in print at the Expo, so not to worry if you don't have time to look through it now. The advantage of looking through it before coming to the Expo, however, is so that you don't miss your favourite bits!
To have a closer look at the programme schedule (there are several changes already) across the two days, go to the Visit page on the Expo website: ealingbizexpo.co.uk/visit Our top 5 tips for visiting #EalingBizExpo
1. Join in your way. If the speed networking is too noisy or you feel put on the spot with a 1:1, make a note of businesses you really want to meet, and try and arrange with them beforehand. If it's an exhibitor you'd like to connect with, get in touch using the info in the Expo Guide. Or you could just meet people at the tea and coffee station, and start connecting there.
2. Take advantage of the less obvious opportunities available to promote your business. Here are some examples:
(i) Kirk "Duggystone" Pickstone will be conducting on-the-spot Facebook Live interviews during the Expo on Friday. Line up for an interview and find yourself reaching audiences far beyond Ealing.
(ii) Besides the speed networking and mini speed networking sessions, use the notice board area in Nelson Room 2 to pin any 1:1 requests, or just leave a few flyers on the table.
(iii) Be sure to write your Twitter and/or Instagram handles on the flipchart in Nelson Room 2 – find local people to follow, and let others know where you are on social media.
(iv) Join in and network but remember that exhibitors and sponsors have paid to have a higher profile at the Expo. There are still stands available for Saturday, so get in touch if you'd like to be a last-minute exhibitor. In fact, there's now a last minute £50 offer – see below.
3. You don't have to miss out because you have children. By popular request, we will have an adult-supervised table for children 8 years and up on Saturday afternoon from 4pm until 7pm, so you can come along for the last talk and the final speed networking session, without having to find a babysitter or risk leaving the children at home.
4. Wear comfortable shoes, and grab a complimentary bottle of "Expo water" – all that standing makes your feet hurt, and all that talking makes you thirsty!
5. Follow us on social media and switch on notifications for @EalingBizExpo on Twitter (our Instagram posts are as @contactus_ealing) so you don't miss a thing – urgent announcements will be made on Twitter first. If you don't use Twitter, check the @ContactusEaling feed at the bottom of the ealingbizexpo.co.uk website homepage. Now, about that last-minute £50 offer
Totally missed joining us as an exhibitor? There's still a chance to exhibit on Saturday – email me right away info@contactusealing.co.uk. If the £225 price tag is out of your budget, take advantage of our last-minute special: your pull-up banner next to half a table with your marketing materials.
- Last minute offer: "unmanned stand" for Saturday £50
In response to the many people who said they could not take a standard stand at the Expo because they had nobody to actually stay on the stand, here is a last-minute offer: unmanned stand, including half a table for promotional material and visitor sign-up sheet, and space for a pull-up banner. No need for anyone to be there, you still get your message in front of hundreds of people (thousands when we photo/video it and share on social media), and best of all the cost is minimal: £50. You know the drill: message me, email me etc. info@contactusealing.co.uk
Getting to the Expo
Google us why don't you – Ealing Business Expo & Networking Festival comes up with map, photos, location, etc. But if you just want the postcode, here it is: W5 2BY.
Come by bus if you can, the 207, 427, 607, E2, and several other buses stop just outside the Town Hall, or close by. If you're coming by train, the E2 bus right outside Ealing Broadway will take you one more stop to the Town Hall. (This may be useful if it's pouring with rain.)
If you're driving, the closest car park is the multi-storey on Springbridge Road – see map below. It's pay-and-display or RingGo, about £1 an hour, or £3 all day Saturday.
Hope this helps!
For more information about the Ealing Business Expo & Networking Festival on 9 & 10 June, please visit: ealingbizexpo.co.uk
Read previous Expo 2017 newsletters: December: "Time to start planning" eepurl.com/cu7b0X January: "Exhibition space on sale" eepurl.com/cwqJ4X February: "Change of date; change of venue" eepurl.com/cAHVMD February 20: "Meet our super early-bird exhibitors" eepurl.com/cCR6or March: "Business Meetup with Chasing Deer" – click to read May: "The event programme is now live!" – click to read
See you next time, next newsletter.
Carlene Bender
- Expo boss: Ealing Business Expo & Networking Festival
- Editor/publisher: Contactus magazines (including 'Contactus Ealing' & 'The_Ealinger')
- Two-minute interview in the Ealing Chamber of Commerce Spring eNewslink: read here
