Conferences are expensive: flights, hotels, and registration fees all add up fast. But the brands who see real ROI from industry events know that the biggest wins don’t happen in the keynote sessions. In this episode, I’m sharing strategies from four brand leaders who’ve figured out how to turn those hefty investments into long-term partnerships, insights, and business growth.

You’ll hear why skipping networking events is the biggest mistake you can make, how workshops create deeper and more lasting connections, and why the expo floor is your crystal ball into what’s coming next. Whether you’re trying to justify that next budget request or preparing to head out to your next big conference, this episode will help you walk in with a plan and walk out with results.

This episode is sponsored by Connected Commerce at Acosta Group

Timeline

[1:00 ] - Why networking events are worth the energy, even when you’re exhausted
[1:38 ] - How the expo floor accelerates partnerships and software evaluations
[2:18 ] - Making the most of selective, high-value conferences
[4:23 ] - Why workshops build stronger relationships than cocktail hours
[5:35 ] - Three guiding principles to maximize your conference experience
[6:17 ] - Using the expo floor to spot what’s next in the industry

Links & Resources

• Follow Kelsey Knight, Chief Commercial Officer at Slumberkins, on LinkedIn
• Follow Neha Gupta Mallik, Head of Connected Commerce at Mizkan America, on LinkedIn
• Follow Chris Lowrey, Brand Director at Our Home, on LinkedIn
• Follow Danny Silverman, growth consultant at Silver Stream Strategic Consulting, on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletter
• Follow Kiri on LinkedIn