Ep. 31 - Going to Events

Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast · 24 Oct 2024 · 1h 07m

What this episode covers

Stephen Oz and Lucian Chaper of Opulo discuss the strategic value of attending trade shows for their LumenPnP pick-and-place machine, emphasizing that events are crucial for gathering customer data and shaping product direction rather than just direct sales. They recount how attending Electronica revealed that tier-one automotive companies viewed the LumenPnP as a prototyping tool for batches of 500 boards, a use case they had not initially considered, which significantly altered their marketing and product positioning. The hosts also share practical advice on booth management, including the importance of interactive demos, having backup plans for hardware failures, and refining the team's pitch to accurately represent the product's capabilities and limitations.

Mentioned

Companies
Opulo, Deep Local, Netflix, CNC Labs, Texas Instruments, Recon Tools, Google, LDO
Products
LumenPnP, Key Canvas, Positron
Also
Electronica, CES, Maker Fair, OpenSauce, Android, Zeitgeist

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Product Startup · 38m

    096: How To Launch a Consumer Product at Trade Shows

    Jim Cermak, founder of Trade Show University, advises hardware startups on selecting and executing trade shows like CES and the National Hardware Show to secure buyer interest. He emphasizes the importance of defining specific metrics, such as qualified leads or scheduled demos, rather than just collecting business cards, and stresses the need for proactive staff engagement to capture attention in crowded exhibit halls. Cermak also highlights the value of competitive research by observing rival booths and tailoring messaging to focus on customer benefits, such as cost savings, rather than technical specifications.

  • Product Startup · 29m

    148: Grow Your Hardware Product Sales Via Trade Shows

    Jim Cermak, founder of Trade Show University, explains how hardware startups and small manufacturers can maximize ROI at trade shows by focusing on strategic planning, clear messaging, and active booth engagement. He emphasizes the importance of selecting the right show for your target audience, preparing specific sales materials like one-page sell sheets, and using pre-show marketing to book appointments in advance. Cermak advises teams to use qualifying questions to quickly identify serious buyers, capture contact information efficiently, and leverage real-time video testimonials to build social proof. The discussion covers practical tactics for booth design, team staffing, and post-show follow-up to convert trade show interactions into long-term sales.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 06m

    Trade Show or Conference?

    Chris Gammell of Golioth returns from Embedded World and discusses the state of electronics trade shows, contrasting the engineer-focused Embedded World with the sales-heavy Electronica and the high-speed PCB focus of DesignCon. Dave Jones and Gammell debate the viability of organizing industry events, the decline of US-based conferences, and the enduring value of physical browsing compared to webinars. They also cover the Raspberry Pi Pico W's programmable I/O features, the impact of component shortages on brand loyalty, and the closure of Zachtronics.

  • The Manufacturing Executive · 34m

    Your Guide to Trade Show Booth Success w/ Jon Franko & Matthew Sciannella

    Jon Franko and Matthew Sciannella of Gorilla76 discuss the evolving economics and strategy of industrial trade shows, arguing that traditional large-footprint booths are often financially inefficient compared to targeted digital marketing. They highlight successful examples like Path Robotics and NCTacular, which used live streaming and experiential demos to maximize impact with smaller spaces. The guests advocate for shifting budget from expensive booth rentals to 365-day content strategies and personalized, relationship-driven follow-ups to improve ROI.

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 8m

    BONUS: 5 Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Trade Show

    Host Chris Luecke outlines five tactical strategies for maximizing the value of trade shows as they return post-pandemic, advising attendees and exhibitors to set specific goals, prioritize quality leads and relationships over quantity, and focus on hallway networking rather than passive session attendance. He emphasizes the importance of delivering memorable, high-energy presentations by drawing inspiration from bands like Green Day, and stresses the necessity of timely, contextual follow-ups to convert connections into business. The episode references industry figures such as Keith Ferrazzi and Brian Fonzo to illustrate concepts like 'conference commando' tactics and building deep professional relationships.

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