After-hours Events Lead to Insightful Conversations

RCS Influencer Mandy McIntyre says that tradeshows can provide an opportunity to network with peers from across the country. 

Editor’s note: Listen to the audio and hear what Mandy McIntyre has to say about her trade show strategy. You can read the transcript below or Listen to the link.     

Megan Ellsworth: 

Hello. My name is Megan Ellsworth with RoofersCoffeeShop® and you are listening to the February Influencer Topic with Mandy McIntyre. Hi, Mandy. 

Mandy McIntyre: 

Hi, Megan. How are you? 

Megan Ellsworth: 

I'm doing well, hanging in there. Glad it's not January anymore. How about you? 

Mandy McIntyre: 

Same, same. We're moving along in this year, so far. 

Megan Ellsworth: 

Yes. Well, let's talk a little bit about our February topic for the influencers, which is what is your trade show strategy? And that could look very different from usual years, so maybe talk about what you've done in the past and how that has morphed and changed and grown recently. 

Mandy McIntyre: 

Sure. In the past ... Well, let me rephrase this. This year is obviously way different. It's a little bit different for our company, in more ways than one, in that we recently have decided to step out of residential roofing and are just- 

Megan Ellsworth: 

Oh, wow. 

Mandy McIntyre: 

... changing our model to just commercial roofing. So for us, in the past, we would have local trade shows, and we're not doing those anymore because they've all been just residential. So really what I wanted to talk about, more than anything, and this goes into our past shows, as well with future shows, is that really, it's not so much a strategy as it is just something that has worked really well for us. 

And that is not so much all of, if you go to the IRE, there's all the classes and the trainings, and you walk around the show, and you go to the boots and yada yada, but what we have found to be the most beneficial tactic, in just gaining insight from other companies across the country and vendors, is stuff that is once the show is over, the parties, the networking, the night life kind of, so to speak. We have found that, every year, there's always one key takeaway that comes about in the most casual conversations that really is a game changer for us. 

Megan Ellsworth: 

Interesting. 

Mandy McIntyre: 

Yeah, and whether it's someone telling us about software that they use or the way they do their marketing plan or the way they have their service departments set up or the way they do their sales. And when you're dealing with other roofing contractors that are not in your immediate market, so they're not your competitors, people are more free with their little trade secrets, so to speak. They're more open. 

And so we've always come across somebody who just is kind of hanging out, talking, and you meet someone, and you just start talking about what works for you, what works for them. You find that common ground, and there's just always a little bit of insight in that. And it's worked really well for our company. We've changed some things, throughout the years, based on other people's feedback. And I've given feedback to other people, and then I get an email like, wow, thanks that really worked. 

So my input for this month isn't so much a strategy as just a tip, is to just network and talk after the show, when people are more relaxed, and you're just having a real, honest conversation, you know what I mean? 

Megan Ellsworth: 

Oh, for sure. I love that. 

Mandy McIntyre: 

Yeah. Yeah. 

Megan Ellsworth: 

Those are always the best events to go to as well. They're just so fun. 

Mandy McIntyre: 

Mm-hmm (affirmative). Absolutely. 

Megan Ellsworth: 

So how do you think that aspect of trade shows is going to look in this coming year, and maybe have you been to any virtual trade shows where you've been able to network? 

Mandy McIntyre: 

I haven't. I honestly have not been to any. I'm not sure how it's going to look this year. I'm really looking forward to Vegas this year, I mean, because it's Vegas. Everyone has fun in Vegas. 

Megan Ellsworth: 

Yes. 

Mandy McIntyre: 

But just to get back around people and obviously do it in a safe way. Trying to network virtually is difficult, I think. I mean, people are more censored, more ... I don't think you can get that open, honest communication on a Zoom call as you can in person. 

Megan Ellsworth: 

Right. For sure. 

Mandy McIntyre: 

So hopefully, this year, by August, things are a little better, and everyone can meet up again. And I think this will actually be a great opportunity for everybody because everyone's going to be dying to talk to people. You know what I mean? We've all been stuck in our homes for a year and a half. So I think by that time, it'll actually be even more beneficial for those evening events and whatnot to just communicate again because we've just lost touch with that element of communication in person. 

Megan Ellsworth: 

Right. Yeah. Yeah. I really hope nothing gets in the way of IRE this year. 

Mandy McIntyre: 

I know. I know. I'm very much looking forward to it, so fingers crossed. 

Megan Ellsworth: 

Yeah, fingers crossed, and hopefully, we'll see each other then. 

Mandy McIntyre: 

Yes. 

Megan Ellsworth: 

Do you have any last words or advice on trade show tips or strategies for the people? 

Mandy McIntyre: 

Yes, I do. And it's so simple, but it's happened to me before. Make sure you bring a ton of business cards because I have ran out of cards or gone out and just grabbed my purse and forgot to put more business cards in. So always, always, always have your business cards with you. 

Megan Ellsworth: 

Smart. That's a good tip. 

Mandy McIntyre: 

Yeah. 

Megan Ellsworth: 

Love it. 

Mandy McIntyre: 

Thank you. 

Megan Ellsworth: 

Well, thank you for chatting with me today, Mandy, and I will speak with you in March. 

See Mandy's full bio here.