Pro Tips: Get the Most From NRF Big Show
NRF Big Show is the biggest and best retail trade show. More retailers go to this to show get ready for the coming year. More vendors are there to hawk their wares. It’s the best chance to learn and network. But Big Show only happens once a year. It’s critical to make the most of the trip. The Sophelle team has been there for decades. Follow these pro tips to make the most of your time and contact Sophelle for help or to schedule a meeting.
Before the Show
- Download the NRF Big Show App
- Bookmark the NRF Big Show Agenda
- Familiarize yourself with the high-level floorplan
- Book a hotel associated with the show; Hotels within walking distance to the event: Courtyard NY Midtown Manhattan West and Four Points Sheraton Manhattan Midtown)
- Set show goals
- Plan your time (Sophelle experts can help)
- Find out who will be attending (from your team and from companies you’d like to meet)
- Create a prioritized list of sessions that you want to see
- Coordinate with your team to avoid conflicts and cover more topics
- Make appointments with those people you most want to meet with
- Leave time to explore the expo floor
- Include networking with peers
- Get physically prepared (stretch, hydrate)
- Plan where to rest at the show
- Plan where to eat
- Learn where water is located
- Register at satellite location (Marriott Marquis)
- Register on Sunday morning
- Charge your phone
- Check the weather and dress accordingly
- Wear comfortable shoes with arch support
- Don’t bring anything extra that you won’t want to check
- Plan your trip to and from the show (cabs are tough; shuttle busses are usually the easiest)
- Consider the special exhibit areas.
- Innovation Lab: New-to-market technology including the latest applications in artificial intelligence, augmented reality, machine learning, facial recognition, robotics and more.
- Startup Zone: Where you’ll get to meet the newest companies in retail and see their biggest, most impactful ideas.
- Food Tech Pavilion: Step into the future at the Foodservice Innovation Zone, an interactive exploration of the technologies and innovations that are transforming the customer foodservice experience.
- Exhibitor Big Ideas: Multiple stages featuring Exhibitor Big Ideas sessions, where the industry’s brightest solution providers demo the latest products and share insightful case studies.
During the Show
- Check your coat (remember where you checked it)
- Take good notes with follow up to dos
- Stay physically prepared
- Plan when to rest
- Take appropriate rest breaks
- Eat well
- Stay hydrated
- Try to tolerate the vendors to a point
- Let exhibitors know your time limits
After the Show
- Review your notes
- Follow up on to dos
- Update this list with what you’ve learned so you can have an even better show next year