Picture this…a blue-eyed, passionate and eager 21-year-old girl sitting at her brand new desk. Her papers are neatly stacked and her notebook is crisp and ready for an ambitious task list. She was just assigned the duty of coordinating the 2011 CEDIA EXPO booth for her new company Pakedge Device & Software. This is her first time ever hearing about the expo and her first exposure to the custom installation industry. She is a little nervous but beyond ready to dive in to this wonderful world of custom electronics! She takes a deep breath and begins her fabulous journey. If you haven’t guessed by now, that girl was me about a year and a half ago. I had just started my career with Pakedge and was given the job of CEDIA booth planning. I had done a substantial amount of event planning prior to this event, so I was ready to tackle this task head on! Take a step back into the past with me as I share my insight on planning and exhibiting!

The months leading up to CEDIA were full of graphic creation, paper work, networking, press release writing, email blast designing, and the list goes on and on, until finally the big week arrived. I jumped on a plane at 6 a.m. and headed to Indiana. Once I made it, I went straight to the convention center to set up our booth. I’m going to be real with you: I was definitely thrown off by the fact that I was probably one of five women in the ENTIRE convention center. I felt like that week at CEDIA was my “debutante ball;” I was exposed to editors, publishers, our dealers, competitors, and anyone else you can think of.

For the six months prior to CEDIA I had only been able to look at my specific job and role. I couldn’t see past the fact that I was just selling networking gear. I came into the office day in and day out and did my thing. I loved my job, but I couldn’t yet see the industry as a whole. CEDIA opened my eyes to much more. I was able to understand that each person was a piece of this “Industry Story.” I wasn’t just selling network products, but rather I was selling networking products that were a necessary piece to the puzzle as a whole. When asked why I love CEDIA my reason hands down is because it connects individual people together and helps create an entire story. It’s the one time of year (at least for me) where I can be in the same place with all of my #Avtweeps. First time connections are made, friendships are strengthened, trends are discovered, partnerships established, exciting news broadcasted out, and business booms.

Yes, the products and technology are important, but most importantly networking can take place. People are conversational and relational, and there is no better place than CEDIA to do both! With that being said, I think you get the point…I value CEDIA. It’s what first launched me into this fabulous industry we are a part of. Looking back at my first Expo, I absolutely had my share of mistakes. In closing I leave you with some lessons learned and a couple of pointers; whether you are an attendee or exhibitor, they will save you some regrets!

1) I’m quite a feminine lady and proud of my high heel-wearing skills. Let’s be real ladies…it’s impossible. I showed up to the show the first day in my high, high, HIGH heels. I’m not sure what I was thinking. I ended up having to run back to my hotel through the streets of Indianapolis, barefoot, for THE ONLY pair of flats I brought with me. So tip #1, wear comfortable shoes…the high heels can wait for after hours.

2) There will ALWAYS be something you need to do or something you need to see. Take breaks to eat, even if it is a light snack. I was so focused on getting everything done that I kept putting off my snack breaks. By the end of the day I realized I hadn’t eaten anything and was ready to pass out and fall over if you had touched me with your pinky. You won’t get anything done if you are lying on the floor passed out…so tip #2 EAT!

3) This one is focused more on the exhibitor. Give yourself extra time. You never know what is going to go wrong. If the show beings at 8AM don’t plan on arriving at your booth at 7:55. I arrived at the booth right as the show was beginning one day and realized I had forgotten all of our rack keys in my hotel room; once again I had to charge back and get them, so our booth wasn’t ready to go until 20 minutes after the show started. So tip #3, give yourself time!

4) CEDIA involves a lot of talking! Talking equals dry mouths and hoarse throats. There were times at the show where I literally had no voice left to give dealers a booth tour. Tip #4 is a simple one, stock up on mints, gum, cough drops, and water bottles. In my opinion there is nothing more annoying than being thirsty and hoarse. Come prepared.

5) CEDIA is the perfect place to make new friends and business connections. Leave your nerves, and timidity at home. My final tip is to put your game face on and step outside yourself. You don’t want to miss out on amazing opportunities because you are shy, nervous, or don’t know anyone. Head to the parties, introduce yourself to strangers, and put yourself out there. That was the one thing I feel I really did right at my first event. I didn’t care that I didn’t know people but I stepped outside my comfort zone and made new friends.

That’s all I’ve got for now folks. Say hi on twitter and let’s have a GREAT CEDIA EXPO!