THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO BUSINESS MATCHMAKINGH a r n e s s T h e P o w e r O f B u s i n e s s C o n n e c t i o n s

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Chapter 1 :

Chapter 2 :

Chapter 3 :

Chapter 4 :

Chapter 5 :

Chapter 6 :

Why Use It?

How Can Business Matchmaking Events Put You On Top?

Where Should You Use A Business Matchmaking App?

How Do You Use A Business Matchmaking App?

What Do These Apps Do?

What Is Business Matchmaking?

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INTRODUCT ION

CONCLUS ION

INTRODUCTION

The live event offers a unique opportunity for brands to forge meaningful personal connections. It is an

integral part of any organization’s marketing strategy. Live events thrive on networking, and each

connection made during the event can go a long way. According to an industry report published by The

Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), 87% of exhibitors depend on face-to-face events to market

their products and services. The report also mentions that 76% of attendees believe that face-to-face

interaction with potential vendors and suppliers is very critical for buying products or services [1]. But

sometimes, a busy exhibition or conference doesn’t provide enough chances for attendees to capitalize

building those long-lasting connections. And that’s where business matchmaking can be so crucial.

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CHAPTER #1

WHAT IS BUSINESS MATCHMAKING?

Business matchmaking is a smarter way to connect attendees and sponsors. It is generally done through a

mobile and cloud-based application that helps event planners connect attendees with sponsors and

exhibitors, depending upon the type of event. It is a sure shot way to create more leads that are more

appropriate for your businesses. Let’s take a look at a common scenario at business events.

In a large tradeshow or conference, there are a large number of attendees and exhibitors. This results in

exhibitors meeting too many attendees too quickly. What that means is that exhibitors get several

unqualified leads, which, in most cases, do not convert into business opportunities. For the attendees, it is a

logistical nightmare to find the right exhibitor who can provide them the services or products they are

looking for.

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For attendees, there are not enough opportunities to network with the right exhibitors. In most cases, the

attendees don’t even know if the exhibitors can offer them the products or services they are looking for. For

exhibitors, there is not enough ROI since they do not get enough qualified leads at events. Using business

matchmaking can be a good option to bring both parties together based on their common interest and

maximize the value of breakout sessions for both exhibitors and attendees. With the one-on-one meeting,

exhibitors can build relationships and understand their customers’ needs in a relaxed and dedicated

environment.

DISCOVER

CONNECT

TRANSFORM

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business matchmaking app

As conferences continue to evolve, the traditional methods of sponsorship are changing. With a decline in

the traditional booth-style setups, event professionals around the world need to look for innovative methods

of bringing exhibitors close to attendees. A allows event organizers to easily and business matchmaking app

efficiently manage their matchmaking event. A basic matchmaking app allows attendees to choose the

products/services they are interested in. Based on their preferences, the app matches them with the list of

exhibitors who have such offerings. Once is matched, attendees can then even request a private meeting

with exhibitors and save a ton of time and be

more productive. In return, exhibitors receive

better quality leads to boost their ROI.

CHAPTER #2

WHY USE IT?

To acquire a newer audience, to keep bringing the old attendees back to events, and to provide higher value

to exhibitors, event organizers need to adopt the right event technology. Even in today’s digital era, there are

several event organizers who rely on old-fashioned, paper-driven methods for connecting exhibitors with

the right attendees. Here are the top four reasons why event planners need to provide an innovative way to

match the right audience with exhibitors at their business and professional events.

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Attendees come to events like trade shows and big

conferences for several reasons. They want to be up-to-date

on , see and experience latest technology industry trends

solutions, and find new products/services. They also look to

meet new people and create stronger connections.

Networking with the right exhibitor and finding the best

product matches have become the most popular features

demanded by attendees. According to a recent report

published by CEIR, 43% of event attendees believe the value

of face-to-face interactions will continue to increase over the

next two years.

High Demand From Attendees#1Reason

#2Reason Exhibitors Need Higher Roi

Driving the right traffic to exhibitors’ booths can be a challenge if your event has a variety of segments and

categories. On top of that, 80% of trade show exhibitors don’t follow up with their show leads (according to a

report published by Salesforce in 2012). To get higher ROI at trade shows, exhibitors can use a business

matchmaking app to upload their content and engage registrants with their content even before the event

starts. It will ensure that exhibitors get accurate recommendations to generate more and better pre- and

post-show leads. Matchmaking technology makes it easier for exhibitor to convert these meaningful leads

into business opportunities. It also makes exhibitors more productive because they don’t have to make

elaborate introductory presentations for the matched leads.

EXHIBITORS’ BOOTH

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industry trends

#3Reason Rising Millennial Buyers And Decision Makers

#4Reason Pressure On Event Planners To Extend Life Of Their Event

Millennial buyers and decision makers have increased as the

number of millennial professionals continue to rise. What that

means for the event industry is that these decision makers are

also early adopters of technology. Adding to that, this generation

also believes a lot more in the experiences and connections they

form through their own interaction via social media and mobile

apps. This generation, even though they are new to face-to-face

meetings, demand more engaging and memorable moments

online, especially during the search and planning stage.

As an event planner, the pressure of extending the life

of events and keeping attendees coming back for more

has never been higher than today. To thrive in this

highly competitive and distracting age, event

organizers need to extend the visibility of their brand

and keep attendees engaged throughout the event.

During the event, business matchmaking apps provide

opportunities to attendees and exhibitors to build real

connections so that they stay in touch even after the

event. This, in turn, helps event planners to increase the

long-term value of their brand and keep those

attendees and exhibitor coming to the event year after

year.

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CHAPTER #3

HOW CAN BUSINESS MATCHMAKING EVENTS PUT YOU ON TOP?

By now, it is obvious that business matchmaking is crucial to events. But

what exactly are the benefits of a business matchmaking app? How can this

easy and intuitive tool help you create a memorable event, all while

delivering a Here are the top three higher ROI for exhibitors and sponsors?

benefits of using a business matchmaking app.

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higher ROI for exhibitors and sponsors?

#2Benefit Create Personalized Meeting Schedules

#1Benefit Match Attendees With Exhibitors

No prizes for guessing the first and the most important

feature of business matchmaking apps: connecting

exhibitors with prospects. Once prospects are matched with

exhibitors, they not only save their time, but exhibitors

generate meaningful leads and prospects remain engaged

throughout the event. It offers a high level of networking

between prospects and exhibitors.

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30 %

60 %50 %

95%

JAMES

JHON

MARK

ANDREW

LEAD SCORING MATCH FOUND

MARK

Creating personalized meeting schedules between

prospects and exhibitors comes handy if your event is aimed

at different audiences. Having a unique agenda for your

attendees based on their job title, interests, registration level

or any other criteria drives higher engagement and creates

customized event experiences. It helps attendees to arrange

their meetings even before the event starts.

#3Benefit Track Event Data And Get Detailed Reports

We all know that event data is a gold mine and is

critical to the success of any event. A matchmaking app

is your secret weapon of live event data and can give

insights like never before. For an event organizer, the

app allows them to see attendees’ movements and get

information about their preferences. For an exhibitor,

they can get their business matchmaking data

exported to their CRM. This will help them further

analyze which attendee profile is best suited for their

business.

DETAILED REPORT

FAST DELIVERY SCHEDULE ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS

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CHAPTER #4

WHERE SHOULD YOU USE ABUSINESS MATCHMAKING APP?

A business matchmaking app is ideal for big conferences where sponsors and

exhibitors are involved. These apps are also perfect for trade manifestations,

conferences, business matchmaking events, and other special groups conducting

b2b meetings. Here are few events where a business matchmaking app can add real

value.

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#1

#3

Category

Category

Government Conferences

Trade Missions

Large government conferences can use business

matchmaking apps to better align the interests between

buyers and suppliers. The app will ensure a higher rate of

success while procuring new products and services.

#2Category Tradeshows

Large trade show organizers can use business

matchmaking apps to connect hosted buyers with

exhibitors. With a hosted buyer program in place, the trade

show organizer can also encourage more exhibitors to

participate at the tradeshow.

At trade missions, businesses can directly meet potential

clients in their markets. They can schedule one-on-one

meetings with government officials, people from the

industry, and other representative from legal and business

communities.

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HOW DO YOU USE A BUSINESS MATCHMAKING APP?

Once you purchase the license of a business matchmaking app, setting up the platform is just a few simple

steps. Generally, these apps give each attendee the option to set up their profile and update their

preferences. After setting the preferences and creating a profile, the participants can search for possible

partners and schedule meetings with them. The participants can also generate a personalized schedule for

themselves that can be used during the event.

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Some advanced business matchmaking apps also allow attendees to

create various types of appointments, including open, semi-open,

closed and custom appointments.

Open appointment: Open events can be created if the attendees

wish to meet exhibitors based on their interest and time availability.

Closed appointment: These appointments are private and not open

to the public. In such scenarios, exhibitors choose the people they

want to meet depending on the needs mentioned in the attendee’s

profile.

Semi-Open appointment: This type of appointment gives the

exhibitors an option to either accept or reject the attendees they

want to meet. However, attendees are free to choose whomever

they want to meet.

Custom appointment: Custom appointments give the event

organizers the power to choose any combination to create custom

scenarios.

CHAPTER #6

WHAT DO THESE APPS DO?

Matchmaking app providers who claim to have the best app in the market are a dime a

dozen. However, it is up to the event organizers to decide which solution will work best for

their events. While a lot of app providers will vouch for having “something extra” for the

event organizers, many of the features remain common across the board. Some of the basic

features of a matchmaking app include:

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#1

#3

#5

Feature

Feature

Feature

Set Up The Networking Parameters

#2Feature Engage Your Attendees Before The Event

Build Various Networking Profiles

Post-Event Reports

Create parameters for your attendees and exhibitors to network at your

event and get full control over the attendees’ experience.

Have a pre-event online interaction to encourage networking even

before the event begins.

Event organizers can segment audiences into groups and decide their

corresponding profiles. This will allow attendees to create meaningful

business relationships with the right audiences.

#4Feature Notify Attendees

A business matchmaking app is one of the best ways to send meeting

request alerts and automatically build the networking schedule. It also

informs participants about last-minute updates.

A business matchmaking app helps event organizers and exhibitors get a

detailed breakdown of event analytics such as buyer participant details,

buyer and vendor break down by location, and meeting survey details.

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C O N C L U S I O N

Business Matchmaking has become a vital component of networking at live events. As new technologies

come into the market, event organizers will sooner or later adopt this technology to increase engagement

and generate higher ROI for their exhibitors. There are several benefits to using a business matchmaking

app, including creating plenty of opportunities to connect buyers and sellers and increase networking with

peers. It is a new technology that builds lasting business relationships, and the time is just right to harness

the power of connections.

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