It is no secret that the average Return on Investment (ROI) for exhibitors at trade shows has been falling in recent years. METS organiser Amsterdam RAI has taken an exceptionally proactive approach to reversing this trend. “As a European leader in the exhibition market organising the number one show in the leisure maritime world, it is only right that we lead the way in increasing ROI,”  says Maritime Domain Manager Irene Dros while announcing the RAI’s new lead generation software for METS 2014.  METS will be held from 18 to 20 November in Amsterdam RAI Convention Centre.
 

Visit Connect

Called Visit Connect, the new lead generation software will be available for a wide range of devices, includingtablets, smartphones, laptops and desktop applications. The app is available in Google Play and the App Store, and can be used to scan barcodes on visitor badges to follow up the business contact. Both the app and the software are accessible with a login code. Exhibitors are offered one license (login) for one device free of charge and can buy extra licences for just 29 euros.

 
“Visit Connect is an exhibitor-oriented solution that will enhance the ability to make new connections and strengthen existing ones,” explains Irene Dros. “We know that METS exhibitors are keen to both maximise their ROI and to accurately assess the benefits of participating in a given show. As well as facilitating the collation of sales leads, Visit Connect will also make the results of METS more tangible."

 Scanning  barcodes  and entering information via iPhone or Android app One of the key functionalities of Visit Connect is the ability to gather contact details of sales leads and prospects by scanning a barcode or entering information via an iPhone or Android app. During the subsequent sales analysis stage, the leads can be correlated in a wide variety of ways related to targets and timing. Additional coded pieces of information known as ‘qualifiers’ can be linked to the sales leads after scanning and notes can be added to individualleads.

Leads can be viewed online anytime via the dedicated Visit Connect portal, from where they can also be downloaded in Excel format. “Combining comprehensive data collection with live reports, Visit Connect will help METS exhibitors maximise their ROI this November,” adds Dros. “A special YouTube video  illustrates how Visit Connect works in practice.”

Exhibitor meetings at various places worldwide Despite the highly impressive addition to their portfolio, neither Amsterdam RAI nor the METS project team are resting on their laurels. They are hosting exhibitor meetings at various places worldwide throughout the months leading up to METS 2014, with the most recent being at the Miami Boat Show in cooperation with the NMMA.

“Our goal is to inform exhibitors how to best organise their participation in order to make the most of the many opportunities available,” concludes Dros. “In a similar vein, we have also introduced a webinar that helps new exhibitors optimise their METS participation. And we are offering exhibitors personal web pages where they can share company details such as brochures and press releases. With these and other initiatives we are convinced that METS 2014 will be even more profitable for our exhibitors.”