A Sweet Introduction to Industry Events: A First-Timer’s Experience at Sweet Suite
GUEST POST by Kristin Hoberman
I recently attended my first industry event – Sweet Suite, hosted by Toy Insider, on behalf of our client Horizon Group USA. I had the opportunity to highlight their top five priority products to event guests. The attendees included influencers and media outlets visiting our booths to see the brand’s display and experience the products. Within our event space, we set up a charm bar where guests could customize and create their own charm bracelets. It was an enormous success, a great attraction,
and a focal point for our booth, bringing a lot of attention to an already fabulous product!
As a recent college graduate, I was thrilled to accept my first job and was extremely excited to be included in the opportunity to attend my first industry event! I wanted to make a great impression on both our client and LPR, and knew I had to prepare vigorously to ensure a successful experience. A big shoutout to my colleague Marissa Lambert for guiding me, setting expectations, and providing an exceptional experience for my first event. Overall, it turned out to be a wonderful day that included a fun way to express a memorable “hands-on” experience of our client’s products.
I’ve rounded up a few of my first-timer tips and insights for anyone attending their first industry event:
- Appearance and tone: Appearance is crucial at your first industry event, and it is always important to look the part! Dress professionally and wear your most comfortable but stylish shoes as you will be on your feet most, if not the entire day! Since it is your first time meeting with influencers and media outlets face-to-face, it is a priority to have a polished appearance. Also, practicing your tone of voice is crucial to representing your brand and leaving a lasting impression on all guests who visit the booth.
- Knowledge of the products: One of the most important things that I did was to thoroughly understand the products that were going to be on display, familiarizing myself with each product’s details such as age range, price point, and where the products are sold. This knowledge is essential when answering questions from influencers and media outlets. This allows the guests to not only understand the products but also to get excited about the items.
- Notebook and snacks: Make sure always to carry a notebook or clipboard. This allows you to take down valuable information from the influencers or media outlet contacts if business cards were not provided. Note-taking can help you remember specific conversations, which you can later help personalize your follow-up pitches. Lastly, make sure to pack some snacks to keep your energy levels high throughout the long day.
- Embrace the fun: While working at the event, one of the most important tips to remember is to have fun! An industry event like Sweet Suite is a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, make connections, network the products, and get the guests excited about our clients’ products. Establishing a strong network and always making new connections are crucial in the PR industry. This event was a perfect segue to introduce, meet, and explore new partnerships!
Overall, Sweet Suite was an unforgettable experience! I am grateful to LPR, Horizon Group USA, and Marissa Lambert for the opportunity to immerse myself in an incredible industry event. Looking forward to more events representing my clients and LPR!