Looking back a week ago when Playtime ended, I think finally have some headspace and distance to analyze how my first trade show experience went.
I had read about Playtime being the biggest children trade show, so I thought it would be a good occasion to meet buyers and store owners, after sending my information I was placed on a wait list and then after a while I got notified I was in!
Now, how was it??? I’ll try to break it down into chunks.
The prep: To prep I went into full Film Production Design mode, I designed my booth ahead of time, had all the graphic pieces ahead of time and printed catalogs, postcards, line sheets, business cards and wall decals. Was it necessary? Not at all! I think I did need business cards and the catalogs all flew away, I guess people like seeing products in nice photos, but that’s it, I think I could have had all digital and would have been just as good – and saved some cash.
The unexpected: Maybe I was lucky, but I didn’t think I was going to have such great booth mates, the people around me on the studio were lovely and I hope I can consider some of them new friends, it was nice to have the comradery and support, I didn’t even think I’d make great connections with my neighbors. Sharing a common experience was really heartwarming.
The fun part: I felt really comfortable talking with people, I know my product so well, I’m happy to talk details, but more than anything, I had fun connecting. I’m not naturally the chatty type that talks with everyone at the coffee shop but felt very comfortable chatting with everyone.
The uplifting: It was really nice seeing people connect in a positive light with my products, I know how hard I’ve worked to get such good quality materials, but it’s always nice to have that external reinforcement.
The bizarre: Buyers turning their badges so you won’t know who they are or who they work for, and people avoiding eye contact. Look, not everyone has to be interested in everything, but a quick hi goes a long way. Why not a polite hi?
The work in progress: Some orders were placed, but getting payment through has not been straight forward, I’m used to getting orders from Shopify and I get notified only once the order is paid, so it’s a work in progress for me to learn how to go about it the other way around, following up yet not being too pushy. Where is the balance?!
Would I go to Playtime again?: I’m considering expanding into adults and home, so I think my next Trade show would be more like Shoppe Object where the buyers involve a wider variety of markets and not just kids.
What did I learn: I got confirmation that my best sellers are also the buyers favorites, that’s why I’m planning on expanding the woven Baby Alpaca products. I think the uniqueness and high quality of the product is evident.
What I got out of it: Connections with store owners, reps and some media. Was the cost of attending worth the connections? I guess time will tell!
What I’m truly grateful for: To have my child taken care of during the trade show and prep day, I recruited a group of friends that took turns taking care of him, I delivered my child to a friend’s home as early as 7:30 and picked up from someone else as late as 6:30. At the end of all these days I was so ridden of guilt for having my child passed around so many different homes, but turned out he was having a blast and asked me to extend my Trade show till Friday, lol! My sister came on Sunday for support, and I did feel my village.
