Help Desk: What to consider when partnering on an exhibit booth

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​​​I am sharing an exhibit booth at a major conference with a friend who is in the same line of business. While this is a tricky situation, we are both working to grow our business and thought this would be the best approach. Any advice?

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Finding new ways to generate leads is essential to business growth. Working with someone not affiliated with your company at a major event is another story. Ensuring you and your friend are on the same page will produce a successful event. Trust will either expose or promote your friendship and business relationship. To help you plan out a successful event, consider this list:

• Set your intention. Before the event, schedule time to meet with all parties involved to make sure everyone is on the same page. This includes your team, your friend’s team and any other parties that are related to success at the event. Also, review the organization’s rules and regulations for exhibitors.
• Associated costs. Discuss costs, including exhibit fees, insurance, Wi-Fi and electricity, associated with the conference. Will you need other individuals from your company to assist? Depending on the type of business you have, what inventory is needed to ensure a successful event? How will these costs be handled?
• Avoid conflict. Make a list of exhibitors and possible attendees. Discuss the lists with your friend and the other team members to determine existing relationships. Since you're in the same business and both of you are working to grow your business, you will want to eliminate any conflicts now.
• Whose lead is it? Determine how leads will be handled. Will you only follow up with the people you spoke with individually, split the leads up at the end of the event, or is there another way to fairly share leads? This is an important step to have in place to avoid any misunderstandings or future conflicts. This is a trust factor and will determine the outcome of this event, your friendship and business relationship moving forward. Read more..