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If you did not receive this email please contact Dolores Cabral at Dcabral@provchamber.com or by phone at 521.5000 to add your name to the list.

You can also add additional employees to the distribution list.  Keep the whole team informed!

• AAA of Southern New England
• Rhode Island Procurement Technical Assistance Center (RI PTAC)
• Rhode Island RX Card (Major Event Sponsor)

- Have a strategy. Why are you doing this show? Sales, networking, to find distributors, to find business partners? Make a list of your goals. etc.

- Create a budget. Based on your goals, what’s it worth to you? Consider all costs: travel, booth space, pre-show marketing, giveaways, freight, post-show follow-up, samples, media kits, etc. If you spend $10k and only get 100 leads, that $100 per lead.  How much can you spend?

- Know your show guide. Mark the deadlines on your calendar and take advantage of all early pricing and all free marketing opportunities. If you can provide a company description and logo, provide them.

- Stand out. Look professional, but stand out from the crowd. At ABC, it was not the booths with the pretty modern pastel colors and pictures of happy toddlers that stood out, it was the ones that looked different. One was dark brown, made of wooden shutters that created a great contrast for their products. Try a monochromatic booth that is simple and puts all the focus on your product.

- Make your message clear.  No one should have to guess what your product is or why they need it.  Don’t write a book or fill walls with text — just show how great it is in the simplest way possible.

- Be present.  This is often the most difficult part.  You have to be there and be “on”.  Initiate conversations.  Smile.  Be a little fun and make people feel welcome.  If you are a small business owner and not an extrovert, hire one for the show.  Train them to engage and filter people, but know they will not be instant experts at your pitch.  All serious prospects should be sent directly to you.  Avoid working on your laptop or texting at your booth.  Think about what others are seeing.  Do you look approachable?  Intimidating? Bored?  Passionate?  You are your brand.

2.    Use email, social media and snail mail invitations, and send out a short announcement on what is new and what will be featured at your booth. Send this announcement to new and prospective customers, vendors and both trade and business journalists.

3.    Have properly formatted PR information on your company. You might even think about developing a smart code that someone can download from their phone.

4.    Don’t underestimate the power of samples, or in providing an incentive for both the media and your customers to stop by your booth. A chance to win a golf vacation or a new iPad by dropping in a business card can create extra traffic to your exhibit space.

Acclaimed author, radio and television personality and motivational speaker to Highlight New Breakfast Forum

Mel Robbins, nationally recognized syndicated radio personality, Donald Trump endorsed motivational speaker and host of A&E’s newest relationship building reality show “Monsters in Law,” will kick off the speaking program at The Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce Rhode Island Business EXPO (RIBX) taking place Thursday, May 3, 2012 at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

The Success magazine columnist, TED Talks presenter, award winning author and entrepreneur is expected to utilize her trademark quick wit and refreshing take on current affairs to awaken attendees’ business neurons.  Mel will take the stage as the keynote at a newly created breakfast forum at RIBX.  Her address entitled “How to Become Unstoppable –The Winner’s Breakfast: The Science Behind Winning in Business and in Life” will feature her “in-your-face” advice, proven to ignite many revelations for those on the quest for success.

“We are truly excited to have someone with Mel’s extensive background and expertise take the stage at this year’s show,” said Laurie White, president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. “I am certain her fresh perspective and candid delivery on how to live a powerful life will certainly resonate with RIBX attendees.”

Following her keynote, Robbins will lead a forum geared toward local business women. Entitled, “In Five Seconds Your Opportunities Will Self-Destruct –
RIBX Women’s Bootcamp: The Secrets to Raising Your Professional Game,” the intense, interactive session is designed to arm participants with the tools to maximize and cultivate productive connections; foster success-driven mindsets; and encourage women to chart and design an innovation arsenal.

The Breakfast forum will run from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. with a cost of $25.00 per person. The Bootcamp will run from 10:30 to noon with a cost of $50.00 per person.

For additional event information or to register visit www.providencechamber.com

This year’s show will include a dynamic speaker line up, including Mel Robbins, a nationally known syndicated radio personality and host of A&E’s newest show “Monsters in Law” as well as interactive presentations and Show Floor demonstrations that feature cutting edge solutions, modern technologies and must know business information!

Why Exhibit?
•    Business development — qualify new sales leads and solidify existing client and B2B relationships.

•    The personal touch — people give business to people they know and trust. Give your company a face and the sales handshake won’t be far behind!

•     ROI economics — consistent RIBX participation builds long-term loyalty and referrals at a fraction of the price of traditional advertising!

Exhibitors receive extensive visibility in pre-event and post-event marketing including:
•    Website presence including a link to your company website, and the ability to promote your business on the RIBX Facebook page and Blog

•     Event program prominence including an easy to use exhibitor map with company description.

•    And more!

We look forward to your participation in the largest Chamber sponsored business to business exhibition in the nation.

Last year’s exhibitors have the first opportunity secure the same booth space as in 2011 before the floor opens up the to the Chamber’s general membership in mid-January.

You can download the  RIBX 2012 Application and Agreement for Exhibit Space by clicking the link at the top left hand corner of this page. All forms must be completed and returned to the Chamber’s Membership Department with a $300 non-refundable deposit no later than January 13, 2012 to secure your same space.  Please mail the application and deposit to the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, 30 Exchange Terrace, Providence, RI 02903 att: Membership Dept. If you prefer to pay the deposit by credit card, please call Dolores Cabral at 401.521.5000.

Don’t wait too long! We look forward to seeing you at RIBX 2012!

Are you a social media expert? Are you an expert on applications for phones or business? Do you have a unique networking idea or a way to grow one’s customer base? Then you need to be involved!

We are looking for local industry experts to suggest interactive presentations that feature cutting edge solutions, modern technologies and must-know information. The collective goal is to provide RIBX 2012 attendees with “aha moments” that promote conversations and idea exchanges, as well as provide effective methodologies for daily business practices.

Click here to download the Request for Proposal

Click here to download the 2012 Presenter Application
Email or fax the proposal application form and all accompanying materials by Friday, October 14, 2011 to:
Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce
Attention: Sue Stenhouse
Phone: 401.521.5000
Fax: 401.621.6109
Email: sstenhouse@provchamber.com

RIBX is Rhode Island’s largest and most productive business-to-business educational and networking event, attracting thousands of local business professionals across all industries–including start up and entrepreneurial ventures. GPCC designed this annual one day exhibition to reenergize the business community through dynamic workshops and educational seminar tracts that run throughout the day.

For RIBX 2012 Presenter Application and detailed information, please visit the sidebar on the left for documents to download. We appreciate your interest and consideration. The application deadline is September 15, 2011.