Maximizing Business Development at Game Conferences: Strategy, Networking, and ROI

Ready to unlock the secrets of transforming your game conference experience into a business development powerhouse? Join us on this episode of the Press Start Leadership Podcast, where we dissect the strategies that can elevate your presence and effectiveness at game conferences. From setting clear, actionable objectives to mastering the art of the elevator pitch, we provide you with a comprehensive roadmap. Learn how to research participants, schedule meetings, and optimize both your physical and digital presence to create lasting, meaningful connections. We even delve into the benefits of engaging as speakers and designing eye-catching booths that attract potential partners and clients.

But the journey doesn't end when the conference does. Discover post-conference tactics that ensure you leverage every ounce of value from your experience. We'll guide you through timely follow-ups, personalized communication, and how to integrate learnings into actionable team insights. Understanding the importance of measuring success and ROI, we offer practical tips to justify your participation and inform future strategies. Tune in to gain a competitive edge in the fast-paced video game industry, whether you’re a seasoned expert or just starting out. This episode is packed with actionable advice to help you make the most of every game conference you attend.

Chapters

• 0:19 Maximizing Business Development at Game Conferences
• 8:02 Business Development Strategy at Game Conferences

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:19

Press Start Leadership. Hey there, press Starters and welcome to the Press Start Leadership Podcast, the podcast about game-changing leadership, teaching you how to get the most out of your product and development team and become the leader you were meant to be Leadership coaching and training for the international game industry professional. Now let me introduce you to your host, the man, the myth, the legend, christopher Mifsud.

Speaker 2: 1:07

Hey there, press Starters, and welcome back to another awesome edition of the Press Start Leadership Podcast. On this week's episode, we'll be discussing maximizing business development at game conferences a strategic guide for video game industry leaders and game conferences. A strategic guide for video game industry leaders Mastering networking and post-conference strategies to enhance industry presence and growth In the dynamic realm of the video game industry. Game conferences stand as pivotal arenas for leaders looking to propel their business development and forge crucial networking connections. These events offer a unique confluence of creativity, technology and strategic partnership opportunities. However, maximizing the benefits of these conferences requires careful planning, strategic execution and a keen understanding of the industry's pulse. This comprehensive guide dives deep into effective strategies for industry leaders to enhance their presence and productivity at game conferences, ensuring every handshake and session fuels their business objectives.

Speaker 2: 2:09

Preparing for the conference Success at a game conference begins well before you step into the venue. Effective preparation sets the stage for productive interactions and successful outcomes. Setting clear objectives Identify goals, whether it's finding potential partners, scouting new talent or gaining insights into the latest industry trends. Clear objectives will guide your activities and help prioritize your time. Research participants and companies. Most conferences provide a list of attendees, exhibitors and speakers beforehand. Identify key individuals and companies that align with your goals and plan your approach to engage with them. Scheduling meetings in advance Pre-conference outreach Reach out to important contacts prior to the event to schedule meetings. This proactive approach ensures you secure a spot on their busy schedules and demonstrates your seriousness about fostering professional relationships. Utilize conference apps Many conferences offer dedicated apps for scheduling meetings, viewing session details and networking with other attendees. Leverage these tools to organize your agenda efficiently. Effective network strategies Networking at game conferences is an art that combines social skills with strategic intent.

Speaker 2: 3:25

For industry leaders, it's not merely about collecting business cards, but about building meaningful relationships that can drive real business results. Be approachable and genuine. Perfect your elevator pitch. Have a clear, concise description of what your company does and what you're looking for at the conference. This pitch should be easily adaptable to different potential stakeholders, from investors to creative collaborators. Active listening Show genuine interest in the people you meet. Listening is a powerful tool in building rapport and understanding how potential relationships could mutually benefit.

Speaker 2: 4:00

Leverage panels and talks Engage as a speaker or panelist. Participate in discussions and panels, not only to share your expertise, but to increase your visibility at the conference. Being a speaker can significantly enhance your credibility and attract connections who are interested in your insights. Attend relevant sessions. Choose sessions that align with your business goals and participate actively. Asking questions and contributing to discussions can make you memorable and open doors to further communication.

Speaker 2: 4:30

Optimize your presence your physical and digital presence at the conference should project professionalism and accessibility, inviting potential partners and clients to connect. Design an engaging booth. Interactive displays If your budget allows. Design a booth that showcases your latest projects or technology. Interactive displays or demos of your games can attract more foot traffic and provide a tangible showcase of your work. Branding Ensure your booth reflects your brand's image and ethos. Clear signage, professional brochures and a well-trained team who can speak confidently about your products and business objectives are crucial. Digital engagement Social media activity Use social media to announce your presence at the conference, the events you'll be participating in and real-time updates. Hashtags specific to the conference and live tweeting during events can increase your visibility both to attendees and to those following.

Speaker 2: 5:24

Online. Follow-up digitally. After making initial contacts, reinforce these new connections with LinkedIn requests and personalized emails. Mention specific discussions you had to remind your new contacts of your conversation and suggest next steps. Nurturing new relationships Effective follow-up is crucial to transform conference encounters into lasting professional relationships and potential business opportunities. Timely follow-ups. Immediate acknowledgement Send a quick thank you message or an email within 24 hours of meeting someone. This prompt acknowledgement can set the stage for ongoing communication. Personalized communication Tell your follow-up messages to reflect the specifics of each conversation Reference points of discussion or mutual interests discussed to personalize the interaction and remind your new contact of your meeting's value. Schedule reconnections. Set calendar reminders. Use calendar reminders to follow up periodically with key contacts. Scheduling these reminders ensures you don't lose touch with potential partners or clients. Invite to future events. Extend invitations to other industry events or offer to meet up at future conferences. Keeping the dialogue open and ongoing can solidify the relationship.

Speaker 2: 6:36

Leveraging conference learnings the insights gathered from sessions, panels and informed conversations can be transformative if properly integrated into your business strategy. Debrief with your team. Share learnings. Organize a debrief session with your team to share insights and experiences from the conference. This collective review allows the whole team to benefit from the learnings and can spark innovative ideas or strategic shifts. Actionable insights Identify actionable items from the conference learnings and assign responsibilities to relevant team members to explore or implement these actions. Document key takeaways. Create a knowledge base. Document the key insights and learnings in a shared digital repository that your team can refer to when needed. This knowledge base can become a valuable resource for ongoing projects and future strategic planning.

Speaker 2: 7:26

Evaluate implementation Regularly evaluate how the insights and strategies derived from the conferences are being implemented within your projects or processes. Adjust and iterate based on performance and feedback. Measuring success in ROI Determining the return on investment from participating in a game conference can help justify the expenses and inform future participation. Assessing metrics Networking success Evaluate the number of meaningful connections made versus the goal set prior to attending the conference. Assess the potential value these contacts bring to your business.

Speaker 2: 8:02

Knowledge application Measure how the application of new knowledge or strategies have impacted your business. This could be in the form of increased efficiency, entering the new markets or enhanced product offerings. Cost-benefit Analysis Direct Costs vs Benefits. Calculate the direct costs of attending the conference, including travel, accommodation, booth setup, etc. Against the tangible benefits obtained, such as new clients, partnerships or sales leads.

Speaker 2: 8:30

Long-term impact Consider the long-term benefits of attending, which may include brand visibility, expanded professional networks and enhanced industry reputation. These factors might be more qualitative, but are crucial for strategic positioning. Final thoughts Maximizing your business development and networking at game conferences requires a comprehensive approach that spans pre-event planning, active engagement during the conference and diligent follow-up and integration post-event. By establishing clear objectives, engaging effectively with other attendees and applying the insights gained, industry leaders can ensure that their time and investment in game conferences significantly boost their business outcomes. As the video game industry continues to evolve, staying connected and informed through these events is more crucial than ever, providing a competitive edge in a fast-paced market. All right, and that's this week's episode of the Press Start Leadership Podcast. Thanks for listening and, as always, thanks for being awesome.