Attending Newtopia Now is a huge opportunity to grow your network, meet retailers, investors, and media, and boost brand visibility – even if you don’t have a booth. The key? Planning now so you can be efficient with your time later.
1. Perfect Your Key Messages for Fast-Paced Conversations
When you’re walking the floor instead of stationed at a booth, you’ll meet people in quick bursts on the fly – in hallways, at booth lines, and in between sessions. That means your key messages must be ultra concise and memorable.
What are key messages?
They’re your company’s essential story boiled down to its most impactful points – short enough to deliver in seconds but compelling enough to spark curiosity and invite a follow-up.
To craft yours, answer these questions (in one sentence each):
- What problem does your product solve? Focus on a clear customer pain point and your unique solution.
- What makes you stand out? Call out the differentiator that makes people take notice – innovation, sustainability, origin story, or unique positioning.
- Why should retailers or investors care? Offer 1-2 strong proof points – a key metric, customer traction, or market growth data
- What’s your bigger impact? Share a single line on your mission, values, or social/environmental impact.
Tips for making them work in short interactions:
- Keep each point under 15 seconds.
- Avoid jargon – use language that’s relatable and easy to remember.
- Lead with your most compelling fact, stat, or differentiator.
- End with a clear next step (“I’d love to follow up after the show – can I grab your card?”)
2. Set Clear Goals and a Game Plan
“If you don’t have a plan, the show will manage you.” This advice from seasoned attendees couldn’t be truer.
Define what success looks like before you arrive:
- Do you want to meet retailers? Connect with investors? Build media relationships?
- Set measurable goals, like “connect with 10 retailers” or “schedule 5 follow-up meetings.”
Identify key people ahead of time:
- Stay flexible – great opportunities can appear unexpectedly.
- Make a “must meet” list of the top 5–10 people you want to connect with.
- Use the event’s networking app (e.g., Beacon Discovery) to set up meetings in advance.
Stay organized:
- Prepare a one-page “reason to believe” document with data points and differentiators. It should be visual, easy to read, and durable (laminating it is smart!)
- Create different email addresses or inbox filters for investors, service providers, and retailers so you can prioritize responses.
Top 5 Things to Pack for Newtopia Now
(For walking the show floor)
- Comfy shoes (at least two pairs) – Switch mid-day to save your feet.
- Portable charger – Long days mean dead phones if you’re not prepared.
- Small crossbody bag or backpack – Keep your hands free for handshakes and samples.
- Refillable water bottle – Stay hydrated as you move from meeting to meeting or seminar to seminar.
- Business cards (or QR code contact info) – Fast, easy way to swap info in quick conversations.
3. Be Strategic (and Take Care of Yourself) Onsite
Newtopia Now days are long and busy, so be sure to build in some self-care.
- Eat a big breakfast: You’ll balance out the inevitable snacking at the booth later.
- Be “on” for everyone: You never know who you’ll meet, so stay approachable and professional.
- Take real breaks: Step outside, grab lunch (preferably “real” food), and recharge so you can stay focused and energized.
If you’re traveling with a team: Consider renting a house together. It simplifies logistics and builds camaraderie.
3 Must-Have Apps or Tools for the Show
- Event App – Find people, schedule meetings, and navigate the floor.
- LinkedIn – Send connection requests in real-time after meeting someone.
- Notes App (or Notion/Evernote) – Capture quick context after each conversation so you remember what to follow up on.
4. Approach Investors and Retailers with Intention
You’re here to meet people. Be prepared so you can maximize your – and their – time.
Do your research: Know who’s attending and which companies align with your brand.
- Schedule in advance: Reach out early to set meetings during slower periods (e.g. before or after the show).
- Ask great questions: Instead of reciting your pitch, focus on learning about their needs and goals. Build rapport first, then share the highlights of your brand.
- Be ready to adapt: Investors and retailers might want different information. Be nimble and tailor your conversation.
Daily Checklist: One Thing to Do Each Day
- Morning: Have a substantial breakfast and review your top contacts + meetings so you stay focused.
- Mid-Day: Take a real break to recharge – you’ll network better with energy. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – change your shoes!
- End of Day: Organize your new contacts and jot down key takeaways while they’re fresh.
5. Follow Up, Reflect, and Take Action
Your work isn’t done when the show ends. What you do after Newtopia Now can make all the difference.
- Follow up fast – but not TOO fast: Send personalized thank-you notes about a week later to everyone you connected with (give them the chance to get back home and get caught up). Include any next steps you discussed.
- Sort and prioritize your contacts: Who are your hottest leads? Who should you nurture for the long term? Keep a system so no one falls through the cracks.
- Update your materials: If questions came up repeatedly, tweak your FAQ, website, or sales sheet to address them.
- Share your experience publicly: Post on LinkedIn or your brand’s social channels about what you learned or the connections you made (tag relevant people when appropriate).
- Debrief with your team: What went well? What would you do differently? Capture your learnings while they’re fresh to prepare for the next show.
Bottom Line
With clear, quick-hit key messages, a focused plan, and thoughtful follow-up, you can make Newtopia Now a springboard for your brand – even without a booth. Treat every interaction as an opportunity to connect and leave a lasting impression.
By showing up prepared, you’ll leave with relationships, insights, and momentum to fuel your brand’s growth long after the event ends.
