At Roccia, we are confident that the final couple of months in 2017 will continue to be exciting for interior design. From sensational hues and patterns, to stunning pieces of furniture and tiles that thrill with their innovation and style, this year has been an inspirational feat, and A/W 17 will continue to stimulate our creative taste buds. And where better to experience what the rest of this year has to offer than exhibitions?
We are firm believers that investing time and resources in exhibitions, be it as an attendant or an exhibitor, can bear real fruit for yourself or your business. That’s why we‘re attending the industry giant, Grand Designs Live exhibition on October 11-15, where we’ll showcase our quality tiles and beautiful designs.
So, why should you attend interior design exhibitions and what benefits can you reap from it?
Get Inspired
One of the many reasons why attending exhibitions is a great decision is to find new inspiration. Whether you’re a professional or homeowner looking to build or refurbish a home, there’s always a multitude of products waiting to be discovered at exhibitions. You get to see displays from companies who may not be in your local area, for example, and can explore new materials, accessories, and even interior design ideas.
As interior designer, Catherine Wilman, says in an interview for Drummonds: “I attend exhibitions around the world and subscribe to interior publications.
“Inspiration can come from going out seeing things – exploring exhibitions, galleries, and visiting showrooms. I like to absorb as much information as possible when I am working on a project.”
When you seek inspiration from what you see around you, you may find yourself becoming even more creative, and there are few places that evoke more inspiration than exhibitions. After all, you’re surrounded by the best and brightest in the industry, who are showcasing the most beautiful and highest quality products on offer this season.
Increase Business Opportunities
Attending an exhibition is also the perfect way to meet and mingle with other professionals, as well as to create new business opportunities.
Every event, trade show, fair and exhibition you attend is an opportunity to grow your customer base and generate more business leads. Many professionals who attend exhibitions are also highly motivated and interested in conducting business as soon as they can, especially if they see something they like.
By attending interior design exhibitions and interacting with visitors, you may find what you’ve been looking for at an exhibitor’s stand, or even generate sales prospects.
Networking is, after all, a key component of attending events such as these. Relating to other professionals and sharing the same passions and challenges can help you to engage in useful and interesting conversations, get design tips, pitch a project, exchange contacts, gain more exposure in the industry, learn more about the trade, strengthen your brand, and so much more.
Here are some of our networking tips that may be useful for your next exhibition:
– Smile – you want to appear inviting and warm
– Don’t look at your phone – this is the perfect time to make new connections, so take it
– Talk to people – avoid keeping to yourself or remaining at the stall
– Follow-up on all leads
– Have products available as samples (for example, Victorian floor tiles or wood effect tiles, which allow attendees to better visualise how their space or home will look)
– Be enthusiastic and ready to answer any questions
Keep Up-to-Date with Trends
The very nature of trends means they change fairly regularly – what was ‘in fashion’ a few years ago may not be considered fashionable anymore, so keeping informed about all of these changes allows you to provide the best customer service you possibly can.
While professionals in the interior design business tend to be aware of multiple products and services offered in the industry, there’s also so much more available that you may not know about unless you attend design fairs and exhibitions.
According to Jayne Michaels, co-founder of New York design company 2Michaels, an exhibition is “definitely a valuable thing for interior designers to do. I think you have to go, just to keep up on what’s out there, and emerging trends.”
By attending exhibitions, you’ll be exposed to what is going on in the design world now, as well as discover what other professionals foresee as emerging trends, which could direct your vision in the coming months.
Keep an Eye on the Competition
Being surrounded by so many stalls, brands and products provides you with the perfect opportunity to assess your competitors. It is the perfect space to analyse what other professionals are doing at the moment and see what their plans are for the future.
Exhibitions may empower you to create new business strategies and enable you to stand out from the crowd moving forward.
How Should You Prepare for an Exhibition?
Jonathan Adler, who is a potter, designer and author, believes that the secret to great interior style is to be “fearless” and to not “worry about any so-called rules”.
He continues: “We live in an ‘anything goes’ world, and if you love it, it will work. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
This should be your mindset when attending an exhibition, whether as an industry professional or someone seeking products and inspiration for home improvement; be fearless and go for it! Ask questions and chase answers, experiment with colours and textures, and come away deciding to invest in that piece of furniture you never thought could actually work beforehand.
Prepare for an interior design exhibition by doing your homework in advance and taking a sneak preview of the exhibitors – this allows you to decide who you want to contact when you get there. It may be an idea to go with others to allow you to step away from your stand and talk to people throughout the exhibition.
Arriving early is another piece of good advice, not only because it gives you more time to see everything and talk to everyone, but it also allows you to get a good parking spot, learn where everything is located, catch-up with other professionals or friends, and so much more.
Your display should be attractive and you should come equipped with plenty of samples to give away to prospects. Come prepared with the right equipment and products in order to have a more successful exhibition.
Attending exhibitions in the interior design business offers you many advantages, so don’t miss out on the Grand Designs Live exhibition, and make sure you come and say hello to the Roccia team!
You can also visit our Bolton or Preston showrooms and enjoy the quality tiles and bathrooms we have on display. Keep up to date with our latest news on Facebook and Twitter and follow us on Houzz and Pinterest to find interior inspiration outside of exhibition season.
