174. Making Conversations Count At Industry Events (Expo West & Beyond!)
Whether you're walking the floor or standing behind a booth, the brands that get the most out of trade shows aren't always the ones having the most conversations — they're the ones making the right conversations count.
With Expo West underway, Katie and Clint share practical, strategic ways food business owners can show up prepared (not scripted), confident, and intentional in every interaction.
With a bit of prep, you'll be ready to talk about any area of your business to help close a deal, make a new connection, or get people rallied behind your vision. Not to mention the "softer" skills that help progress relationships.
In This Episode:- How to think strategically about what you want to get out of an event
- The difference between memorable and meaningful conversations (story time with Clint!)
- Why preparation means being ready, not robotic...unless that's how you always talk...we want you to be yourself!
- How to talk about sales, operations, and growth needs without "airing your dirty laundry"
- The importance of energy, body language, and eye contact
- How to set clear next steps so momentum doesn't fade after the event
You can't always control who you'll meet unless you set up meetings ahead of time, but you can control how ready you are when opportunity presents itself.
Whether you're behind a booth or at an event, a little intentional thinking can turn casual small talk into strategic momentum for your business.
Coming NextKatie is at Expo West conducting rapid-fire interviews with up-and-coming brands — especially earlier-stage companies with strong brand stories, regenerative practices, farm roots, or purpose-driven missions.
Stay tuned to hear from brands you may not be familiar with yet — and if that sounds like you, reach out. She'd love to connect and help spotlight the brand you're building.
WANT TO GO DEEPER?
Listening is helpful, but building is better!
1) Connect with Katie Mleziva and Clint Matthews on LinkedIn.
2) Join Katie's weekly newsletter HERE to get additional insights, industry resources, and the Weekly Worksheet for this episode, designed to help you build your own brand strategy workbook over time. Joining the email list gives you access to book a Brand Strategy Session as well!
3) Grab your seat at the Real Food Brands Marketing Roundtable - a free community for food business owners. Let us know if you are navigating an unexpected situation. Maybe someone in the group has been there.
Let's Go Shake Up Shopping Carts!
Katie Mleziva
Host & Food Brand Strategist
