Date: Monday 18 March 2019, 11am to 5pm
Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton, Ealing, London W5 3HN
A spot of weekend reading for you: the 'Expo Guide' online edition
Printed copies of this event guide will be available at the Expo on Monday, but do have a look through beforehand to get an idea of the venue floor plan, stand layouts, the speaking schedule, and about who's exhibiting. Read the Expo Guide online here Still figuring out how to travel to the venue?
The DoubleTree by Hilton hotel website has some excellent instructions: click/tap here
Last minute updates
The event schedule and exhibitor line-up is still likely to change by Monday - we will keep our website updated as best we can, but please note that any public announcements will be made first on Twitter, so please follow, turn on notifications for, and check the Expo account at twitter.com/ealingbizexpo If you get hungry at the Expo
One of the reasons we chose the DoubleTree by Hilton as the venue for Ealing Business Expo was because of the welcoming restaurant onsite. The W5 Bar and Grill will be open to Expo visitors throughout the day, with menu prices that won't make you want to leave and look around outside to see what else is available.
The Events Bar in the Foyer area entrance to the Expo will be serving an 'Expo Special' on the day, including the following items:
- selection of 2 mini Danish pastries £2 (only from 9am to 11am)
- muffin £2
- chicken & pesto panini £3.50 (to be heated)
- tomato & mozzarella panini £3.50 (to be heated)
- puy lentil, red onion & feta salad £2 (each bowl)
- farfalle pasta salad with peas, tomato and olive £2 (each bowl)
- crisps £1.50
- mini pecan brownie cake £2
- DoubleTree chocolate chip cookie £2
- tea & coffee £2
Deals of the day:
- tea or coffee with mini pecan brownie cake or muffin or DoubleTree chocolate chip cookie £3.50
- any panini with crisps and soft drink or hot drink £6.50
[Exhibitors - please note that you will be alerted via the WhatsApp group about when your lunch is served.] What to do when you get to the Expo
[This information applies to visitors. Exhibitors, please check your latest 'Exhibitor News' newsletter]
So you've looked through the Expo Guide, and you've figured out your journey to get to the venue. Now here is what you'll need to do once you get here:
- head to the Expo Welcome Desk in the Foyer
- exchange greetings with the welcoming team Michelle, Joanna, Anita, or myself
- tick off your name on the list of attendees (it will be ordered by first name)
- if your name isn't on the list, or you can't find it, please write it in, as well as your email address - this is to ensure that you are entered into the prize draw, and it is also so I can email you with any necessary updates about the event
- write your first name only with the marker onto the 'Hello' name badge (sponsored by GalacticaIT) and pin the badge on, up close near to your face so that people can see it and read it (otherwise, what is the point?)
- if you have pre-registered for either or both of the speed networking sessions (which are now both fully booked), collect your wristband/s which will have your name written on - you will receive a separate email explaining about the speed networking shortly
- pick up a printed copy of the Expo Guide
- collect one of the yellow Expo drawstring bag freebies if you would like one, and if any are left (see below)
- enter the Exhibition hall and have a look round, or join in the event schedule
- have a good day
- post on social media, and send us some feedback Expo freebie: our limited edition Ealing Business Expo branded eco-friendly reusable drawstring bag
These bright, very bright yellow bags will be in demand and in short supply on Expo Day, because there are only 100 of them to give out. Get to the Expo as soon as you can after doors open at 11am to be in with a chance to get a bag. Have a look on our Instagram post here to see what they're like: @ealingbizexpo freebie post on Instagram A few tips for visitors
Whether this is your first visit to a business show, or you've attended more business shows than you now care to remember, a few tips/reminders can always come in handy:
Our top tips for visiting #EalingBizExpo
1. Join in your way. If the speed networking is too noisy or you missed it completely, or you feel put on the spot with a formal 1:1, make a note of businesses you really would like to meet, and try and message them beforehand to say that you'd like to connect at the Expo. If it's an exhibitor you're interested in, get in touch using the info in the Expo Guide. Or you could just meet people at the tea and coffee station at the Events Bar, and start connecting from there.
2. Take advantage of the less obvious opportunities available to promote your business. Here are some examples:
- wear your company colours/logo/badge
- make use of the 'leaflet hotspot' offer at the Events Booster stand (number 29) to leave a couple of your flyers and business cards (not too many; save room for other people)
- be sure to write your Twitter and/or Instagram handles on the flipchart in the Events Booster zone in order to find local people to follow, and to let others know where you are on social media.
- join in and network but bear in mind that exhibitors and sponsors have paid to have a higher profile at the Expo and to get regular mentions (their payment also ensures that the event is free to enter)
- post photos and videos from the Expo onto social media, tagging @EalingBizExpo or hash tagging #EalingBizExpo, for retweets and shares to broaden your reach.
Find us on social media for latest updates: Instagram; Twitter and Facebook - search for @EalingBizExpo and use the hashtag #EalingBizExpo to join the conversations.
Come do business in Ealing: exhibition space might now be sold out but last-minute sponsorship opportunities are still available to any business organisation (local or not local) that would like to create and develop connections in the London Borough of Ealing.
This event is once again brought to you by Carlene Bender of The Contactus Network (Contactus Ealing) for the benefit of local businesses. We are lucky to have the support of our headline sponsors Ealing Council and the Mayor of London, A2Dominion Group, and the Westmont Enterprise Hub, which will help us reach a wider audience across London.
Thanks as usual for your ongoing interest, support, participation and kind regards.
- Carlene Bender
Director, Ealing Business Expo
