Anyone who’s been to the International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta knows that there’s a lot to see and do, and it can be difficult to fit everything in. Between educational sessions, networking opportunities and walking the floor to check out the newest innovative products and services available, you’ve got a lot of choices. So how do you best leverage your time and maximize what you get out of the show?
We’ve created a list of five steps that you can take to get the most out of your IPPE investment:
- Review the IPPE pocket guide and WATT Global Media’s IPPE Directory. You should have received both of them with your badge, but if not you’ll find them throughout the Georgia World Conference Center (GWCC) and near the registration kiosks. The WATT IPPE directory contains XYZ.
- Plan your day in advance. This is easier said than done when there’s so much going on at IPPE, but taking 5-10 minutes in the morning or every evening to prioritize how you want to spend your time can make a world of difference if you’re trying to get the most out of the show. Identify 2-3 critical tasks you want to do every day, whether that involves talking to specific people or companies, identifying potential partners or vendors for your needs or attending specific sessions or events.
- Take breaks. It’s not realistic to think that you’ll be able to attend back-to-back sessions and events from 8:00 in the morning until 8:00 at night for three days straight with no breaks. While you’ll definitely want to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible, don’t forget to proactively schedule breaks into your schedule—whether that’s a 30-minute informal lunch with a colleague or partner, a social networking event or an hour-long break in the middle of the day to collect your thoughts and re-energize.
- Walk the floor. While educational sessions and networking can be invaluable parts of the IPPE experience, there’s nothing like getting face-to-face with the newest innovators and established industry experts who have been providing products and services to the poultry industry for years. Pick up brochures, sell sheets, business cards and freebies, but take it a step further and actually talk to people about how they can help you or vice versa.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Sore feet and blisters are not going to help you meet your goals at IPPE. Don’t let this preventable mistake get in the way of talking to as many people as you can or walking the show for as long as you can every day. It’s an easy fix and your feet will thank you for it later!
Want to learn more about what you can see and do at IPPE? View the WATT Global Media IPPE Directory now or read about the latest IPPE news on WATTAgNet.
