WebSummit RetrospectiveThoughts from startups on how to improve at exhibitions

With so many startups in the same hall, you need something eye catching on your booth to stand out or people may just walk straight by.

Also you will be constantly busy at the show, so make sure you have all your social media tweets and posts ready to go in advance to save time.

Andrew NowellCEO  and  Founder  at  PitPat

PitPat, the activity monitor for dogs. With PitPat you can track

your dog's activites and fitness and discover what they've done while

you've been apart.

It is essential to prepare a communication strategy in order to promote your attendance at the event:

• get quality materials ready with a smart touch to distinguish yourself,

• organise a special communication campaign to attract attendees to your stand,

• know how to promote your service in 1 key sentence to provoke attendees’ curiosity,

• plan what you will publish on social media before, during and after the event (what content for which media and when).

Caroline Varin-Bernier & Varvara Iourkova

Founders  at  Kiss  Kiss  Merci

Kiss Kiss Merci is the online service that takes the stress out of

collecting money for joint gifts.

Next time we’re going to have some Fun elements at our booth, to attract even more visitors and get in touch with them. And we all like Fun, so it’s a win-win. Furthermore we’re going to wear T-shirts with our brand Parkyourcar on it.

Ronald ZwartkruisCEO  and  Founder  at  Parkyourcar

Parkyourcar wants to create car-free city centres that are healthier,

safer, prettier and more fun.

Web Summit is a really crowded place and the biggest challenge is to grab attention of visitors, investors and media. What really helps is having all the branded materials likeT-shirts, small banners or stickers. They make your booth stand out from others. Make sure your pitch is really short and works as a lure on visitors. Animation on the big screen and demo version of the product are a great way of explaining how your product works.

Konrad StanikCEO  at  Indoorway

Effective indoor location for mobile devices.

Next time, I’ll have everything ready at least 2 weeks before the event. I’ll spend the last 2 weeks promoting my attendance, researching, and finding people I want to talk to at the event. Constant engagement with Web Summit right at the start is key. Try push as much about yourself to them as you can, you don’t realise how much they can help you in terms of promoting you to Investors.

Ryan Houston-McMillanCo  Founder  at  Your  Picture  News

A live, public, picture based platform for the user to share eyewitness news and events

My advice to anyone attending Web Summit, is to do your research, prepare your mind for achieving the impossible. Contact people you want to speak with before you leave,get to know the team from Web Summit and offer to help them (they have lots going on). Ultimately the best advice I can give is to absorb and enjoy it, because when yo get home you will miss it.

Mark WoodlandCEO  at  Xplor

Learning comes to life on Xplor. The only application that allows

parents to connect with their children live throughout the day.

If you’re going to approach investors, ensure your business’s vision is finalized sooner rather than later. We made changes late and it worked to our advantage, but this could easily have worked against us. Approach, approach, approach and don’t take no for an answer. We approached the prime minister of Portugal and got a good response. If you can 100% believe it your body and mind will make it happen.

Jonathan KleimanCEO  at  Vegan  Love

Using your unique body type and the combinations of foods which you eat,we can determine which

nutrientsyou are lacking.

Web Summit gathers some of the most talented and energetic people in the world. The talks, the exhibition booths, the late-night summits (the pub crawling) and all the fun gimmicks of the summit make it an extraordinary experience. If you’re exhibiting, talk with as many people as you can. You might want to have something to give away (candy or gifts or what ever) in order to lure people in, even a mascot does wonders. Talk with everybody who shows you interest! You won’t know what value the people coming to your booth will bring you.

If you’re there for the talks, that’s okay, but do yourself a favor and check out some of the awesome startups exhibiting and get even more inspired.

Practical points:

1. Have some specific agenda why you are attending (in our case, getting to know some people in the News Media)

2. Don’t rely on the internet to be good and certainly don’t rely on the internet to showcase your product!

3. Keep your spirits high. Be passionate when you speak. Inspire others.

Asgeir VisirCo  Founder  at  Watchbox

Watchbox allows you and your friends to post photos and videos

to your secret group.

Don’t forget to check if electrical outlets are adaptable especially if you are coming from another country. Preferably, bring outlets adapters with you. Don’t rely on anyone to help you. Or on the free Wi-Fi. Bring your own router. Remember to take chargers for and a screen cleaner too.But I think that the most important thing is to know how to explain why are you here and what do you do in one short sentence.

Ariel MorenoProject  Manager    at  Petey  Petey  Fun  Fun

Choose an optical illusion background, add your pics, add a

Petey Petey Fun Fun!

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