Supercharge Your B2B Marketing Efforts at B2B Marketing Expo 2019
B2B Event Marketing Overview
As we dive into the world of B2B marketing, particularly in the context of events like the B2B Marketing Expo 2019, it’s important to first understand the concept of B2B events and why they are such an integral part of the marketing landscape.
Definition of B2B Events
B2B events are any in-person, virtual, or hybrid gathering that brings two or more businesses together, typically in a particular industry, sector, or profession (Socio.events). This includes a wide array of events, from trade shows and conferences to seminars and networking events. Each event type serves a unique purpose in the B2B marketing ecosystem, creating opportunities for engagement, education, and business development. For more information about B2B events, check out our B2B event marketing guide.
Importance of B2B Event Marketing
B2B event marketing carries significant importance in the marketing mix. It focuses on generating B2B sales, finalizing contracts, and fostering connections with fellow industry professionals. Unlike traditional B2C marketing, B2B marketing often involves more complex decision-making processes and longer sales cycles. This is where B2B events come into play. They provide a platform for potential customers to learn more about the offerings, ask questions, and engage directly with the businesses.
The value of B2B event marketing is also evident in the marketing budgets of many B2B businesses. According to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, nearly 41% of the marketing budget goes into B2B exhibiting.
Moreover, B2B marketers ranked events as the marketing channel that produced the best results in 2022, and over half of the respondents expect to invest more in event marketing in 2023. This growing investment in B2B event marketing underscores its effectiveness in engaging potential customers, generating leads, and driving business growth.
In conclusion, B2B event marketing is not only a powerful tool for promoting your products or services but also a strategic platform for nurturing business relationships, fostering thought leadership, and staying abreast of industry trends. To learn more about how to leverage such events for your business, check out our guide on B2B event marketing strategy.
Types of B2B Events
In the world of B2B marketing, events play a crucial role in networking, showcasing products or services, and keeping tabs on the latest industry trends. They serve as effective platforms for direct interaction with potential clients, partners, and industry experts. This direct contact helps to foster relationships, facilitate business growth, and gain valuable insights into the market. Let’s delve into the main types of B2B events that you should consider participating in.
Trade Shows
Trade shows are a staple of B2B event marketing. They are large-scale events where businesses and organizations within a specific industry or market gather to showcase their products and services. This setting allows for direct interaction between companies and potential clients, partners, and suppliers. It’s an excellent opportunity to display your offerings, learn about competitors, and network with industry leaders. According to Eventible, trade shows are a prime chance to connect with potential clients and showcase your offerings.
One of the most anticipated trade shows in recent years is the B2B Marketing Expo, described as the event of the year for B2B marketers (Unboundb2b).
Conferences
Conferences are gatherings centered around a specific topic or industry. They typically feature presentations, workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. These events are vital in the B2B landscape as they provide a platform for companies to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, connect with others in their industry, and gain insights from thought leaders. As stated by Eventible, conferences are integral for staying current with industry developments.
An excellent example of a B2B conference is the B2B Marketing Expo 2019, which hosted over 5,000 key decision-makers at the LA Convention Center (Source).
Networking Events
Networking events are designed to facilitate professional connections and information exchange. These events are pivotal for B2B marketers, providing opportunities to meet potential clients, partners, and industry experts. The connections made at networking events can lead to collaborations, referrals, and business growth, as highlighted by Eventible.
In summary, whether it’s a trade show, a conference, or a networking event, B2B events offer numerous opportunities for businesses to grow, learn, and connect. By participating in these events, you can boost your marketing efforts, reach potential clients, and stay updated with the latest industry trends. To learn more about how to leverage these events, check out our guide on b2b event marketing strategy.
Key Insights from B2B Marketing Expo 2019
This section brings to light key insights from the well-received B2B Marketing Expo 2019. It provides a glance at the attendee experience, exhibitor opportunities, and the expert sessions that took place during the event. If you missed out on the 2019 event, don’t worry, you can check out the upcoming b2b marketing events 2022.
Attendee Experience
The B2B Marketing Expo 2019 was a whirlwind of learning and networking, with over 5,000 CEOs, CMOs, Marketing Directors, Marketing Managers, and other key decision-makers in attendance over the two-day event at the LA Convention Center (Source). It was a chance for attendees to broaden their knowledge, meet industry leaders, and explore the latest in B2B marketing.
Interactive masterclasses offered attendees the chance to receive mentoring and education directly from industry experts, covering topics like financing a business, setting up trademarks, and marketing (Source). The event also provided unparalleled networking opportunities, enabling attendees to connect with industry leaders, share ideas, gather business tips, and explore new products and services.
Exhibitor Opportunities
Exhibitors at the B2B Marketing Expo 2019 had the chance to showcase their latest products and services to over 5,000 attendees. With over 150 industry-leading exhibitors present, it was a great opportunity for businesses to gain visibility and engage with potential customers (Source). If you’re interested in being an exhibitor at the next event, you can find more information on our b2b event marketing page.
Expert Sessions
The event featured expert marketing leaders delivering speaking sessions where they shared strategies, solutions, and insider secrets that have contributed to their success in the industry. These sessions were a valuable resource for attendees looking to gain insights and learn from the best in the business.
For those who missed out on the B2B Marketing Expo 2019, there are plenty of upcoming b2b marketing events you can look forward to. These events are a great opportunity to learn more about the industry, network with professionals, and discover new strategies to enhance your marketing efforts.
B2B Event Marketing Strategies
As you navigate the world of B2B event marketing, it’s crucial to understand the different strategies you can employ to maximize the benefits of participating in such events. These strategies often revolve around lead generation, the use of marketing tools and strategies, and the application of buyer intent data tools.
Lead Generation vs. Lead Nurturing
In the context of B2B event marketing, lead generation and lead nurturing are two essential strategies that you should focus on. Lead generation involves attracting potential clients or customers to your business, often through promotional activities at events. On the other hand, lead nurturing refers to the process of developing relationships with potential clients at every stage of the sales funnel, from first interaction to conversion.
Both strategies are crucial in B2B event marketing. While lead generation helps you expand your potential client base, lead nurturing ensures that you maintain and strengthen relationships with these potential clients, thus increasing the chances of converting them into customers.
Marketing Tools and Strategies
There are numerous marketing tools and strategies you can use to enhance your B2B event marketing efforts. From social media promotion to email marketing, the choices are vast and can be tailored to meet your specific needs and objectives.
Social media platforms such as LinkedIn can be particularly useful for promoting your participation in an event, while email marketing can be effective at keeping potential clients informed about your products or services. Additionally, tools such as CRM systems can help you manage and track interactions with potential clients, thus enhancing your lead nurturing efforts.
Remember, the key to effective marketing is to align your tools and strategies with your overall business goals and target audience’s needs.
Buyer Intent Data Tools
Another crucial aspect of B2B event marketing is the use of buyer intent data tools. These tools can provide valuable insights into the likelihood of a potential client converting into a customer. They analyze various factors, such as a potential client’s interaction with your promotional materials and their activities at the event, to predict their buying intent.
Using these tools can help you prioritize your lead nurturing efforts, allowing you to focus on potential clients who are most likely to convert.
In conclusion, effective B2B event marketing strategies involve a combination of lead generation, the use of appropriate marketing tools and strategies, and the application of buyer intent data tools. By understanding and implementing these strategies, you can supercharge your B2B event marketing efforts and achieve your business goals.
For more insights and trends in B2B event marketing, check out our articles on b2b marketing events and b2b event marketing trends.
Networking at B2B Events
Networking is a crucial part of any B2B marketing event. It allows you to establish valuable connections, learn from other industry professionals, and grow your business. Here, we’ll delve into the potential of networking at events like the B2B Marketing Expo 2019 and how it can supercharge your marketing efforts.
Building Strategic Partnerships
At a B2B event, you’re not just surrounded by potential leads, but potential partners as well. Building strategic partnerships with other businesses can open up new avenues for growth and success. These partnerships can lead to beneficial collaborations, shared resources, and increased exposure in your industry.
In fact, events like the one organized by EXHIB-IT! offer attendees the chance to engage in meaningful, time-efficient conversations that can lead to tangible opportunities in their business pipelines. Attendees are encouraged to form alliances with other local businesses and executives, highlighting the potential for synergy and business growth through networking.
Effective Networking Techniques
Effective networking isn’t just about making connections, it’s about making the right connections. Remember to approach every interaction with the intent to learn, contribute, and build a mutually beneficial relationship. Be genuine and interested in what others have to say. Ask open-ended questions that can lead to deeper discussions. And don’t forget to follow up after the event. A quick email or connect on LinkedIn can help solidify your new relationships.
To make the most of your networking opportunities, it’s important to have a clear goal in mind. Are you looking for potential clients? Partners? Suppliers? Having a clear objective will guide your interactions and help you make the most of your time at the event.
Benefits of Networking
Networking at B2B marketing events offers several benefits. It can lead to new business opportunities, increased brand visibility, and valuable insights into your industry. But perhaps one of the most significant benefits of networking is the potential for learning. Every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new about your industry, the market, or even your own business.
Moreover, networking can also lead to the formation of strategic partnerships, as mentioned earlier. These partnerships can boost your business by opening up new markets, providing access to new resources, or even simply by increasing your brand’s credibility through association.
Whether you’re attending the b2b marketing expo 2016 or planning for the b2b marketing events 2022, networking should be a key part of your event strategy. So, get out there and start making connections!
Future of B2B Event Marketing
As we look towards the future of B2B event marketing, there are several key trends and developments that are shaping the way we connect, network, and do business.
Virtual Event Platforms
In 2020, many B2B events had to pivot from in-person gatherings to virtual environments due to global circumstances. For instance, the 2020 B2B Expo, which was scheduled for August 17-18, 2020, was held virtually. Despite lower attendance, the new virtual event platform received positive feedback from attendees for being easy to use. This shift to digital has opened up a world of possibilities for event organizers and attendees alike, enabling greater reach, accessibility, and convenience. Moving forward, we can expect virtual event platforms to continue playing a significant role in B2B event marketing, with advancements in technology further enhancing the virtual experience.
Trends in B2B Marketing Events
B2B marketers ranked events as the marketing channel that produced the best results in 2022, and over half of the respondents expect to invest more in event marketing in 2023 (Socio.events). This indicates a positive trend towards greater investment in and value derived from B2B events. As we move forward, we can expect to see a continued emphasis on creating meaningful and engaging experiences for attendees, with a focus on quality interactions, relevant content, and innovative formats that cater to the evolving needs and preferences of the audience. For a deeper dive into this topic, check out our article on b2b event marketing trends 2022.
Industry Outlook
Looking ahead, the future of B2B event marketing appears promising. With the upcoming Annual B2B-B2C Expo for 2023 scheduled for a date to be determined (B2B Expo NM), we can anticipate another opportunity for exhibitors to participate in successful events like this. Similarly, the B2B Marketing Expo in London, which took place on the 27th & 28th of March, focused on various key topics in the marketing industry, indicating a continued emphasis on knowledge sharing and professional development in the B2B marketing space (Insights for Professionals).
In summary, the future of B2B event marketing is set to be dynamic and exciting, with new opportunities for innovation, engagement, and growth. As a marketing leader, it’s crucial to stay informed about the latest trends and developments in this space, and to leverage these insights to drive your event marketing strategy forward. Whether you’re planning to attend an upcoming b2b marketing expo or are looking to optimize your b2b event marketing strategy, staying ahead of the curve is key to maximizing your success in the B2B event marketing space.