RE+ represents the main conference of the year for many solar, energy storage, and other businesses, trade associations, nonprofits, and other organizations across cleantech and climate tech. For the DG+ team, it’s clearly the single best draw for our clients across renewable energy, so we want to make the most out of it. We thought it would be helpful to share some of our best practices.
So, what should you do to prepare for RE+? Success at RE+ isn't just about attending; it’s about being prepared to make the most of every opportunity the event presents. Whether you're a seasoned attendee or it's your first time, here’s what you can do to make the most of the biggest renewable energy event of the year.
Set SMART goals by team
Before diving into the specifics of the event, it's essential to establish clear, measurable goals for your company's participation. These goals should align with your overall business objectives and be specific to what you want to achieve at RE+ 2024.
To get started, you may want to ask yourself questions related to these typical goal categories:
- Lead Generation: How many sales leads do you aim to generate? How will you evaluate leads and follow up after the event?
- Brand Awareness: Do you want to showcase your participation at RE+? Do you have any goals for social media outreach, speaker events, or booth visits?
- Education: Are there new products or solutions that you want to explore? Should certain employees be going to training sessions? How will you track any new learnings?
- Partnerships: Are you looking to find investors or other partners? How many new partnerships or collaborations do you want to secure?
Now that you have some general targets in place, it’s important to align these expectations for your team. You can tailor goals to specific employee types to get even more from the event. The table below shows some examples of this in practice.
Table 1: Sample conference activities and metrics by team
It is important to note that your goals may not match those outlined in the table above. To ensure everyone is aligned, each team member should understand their specific role and how it contributes to the broader company goals.
Identify talking points
Consistency in messaging is key at large events like RE+. No matter who is representing your organization at the conference, it is paramount that each person has talking points ready to go. You can start by preparing answers to the following questions:
- How would you describe your company or organization in 30 seconds?
- How would you describe your role in 30 seconds?
- What sets your products or services apart from the competition?
- What are the main points you want every attendee to remember about your company?
As you think of answers to these questions, write down your key talking points for each. You can even practice delivering them orally in short, succinct sound bites. Use real-world examples and/or analogies where you can to make these messages more relatable.
In addition to these talking points, you should align as a team on what you can and cannot say publicly. Here are some ideas to consider:
What are some public case studies or client work that you can share?
- Who can you name drop as a reference?
- What information cannot be shared publicly?
- Are there any corporate metrics or deals that are confidential?
The DG+ team uses a simple rule of thumb for the above questions: if something has been shared publicly already, you are free to discuss it with others. If it isn’t public, it’s wiser to hold back in case there are any concerns.
Finally, it is a good practice to distribute a document that summarizes your talking points, dos and don’ts, and any key messages that everyone should know beforehand. Consider holding a brief training session to ensure everyone feels confident in their delivery.
Prepare your schedule
With so much happening at RE+, it's crucial to have a well-organized schedule. The good news is that there is a lot of information available on the conference website, and they have mobile apps for download with everything you need. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Browse all the activities and sessions on the RE+ website (full event schedule) and identify sessions and workshops that align with your interests. Make sure the right team members attend these to gather insights and make connections.
- Block your calendar for important events (i.e. the SEIA member breakfast or the annual block party) and set up reminders. It’s easy to lose track of time in the convention center.
- Schedule booth coverage: Ensure that your booth is adequately staffed at all times with the right mix of personnel to handle inquiries, demos, and networking.
- Reserve time for meetings: We highly recommend that you schedule meetings in advance with any potential clients, partners, investors, or anyone else that you would like to meet.
Because RE+ starts next week, now is the time to get your calendar in order. By the time Tuesday comes around, things will likely get a little hectic.
Hold a pre-conference meeting
As RE+ 2024 approaches next week, some team members may be excited while others are nervous about the potential pressure to deliver. We recommend that you gather your entire RE+ team right away in a single virtual meeting to discuss talking points, logistics, and any other goals for the event. Here’s a potential agenda:
- Attendees
- Logistics
- Talking points
- Notable sessions
- Booth coverage
- Goals
Preparation is the key to success at RE+ 2024. With your team aligned and ready, RE+ 2024 can be a pivotal moment for your company’s growth and success in the renewable energy industry.
Use our RE+ 2024 worksheet
While there are many digital tools available to prepare yourself for RE+, some of us like to organize our thoughts using the tried-and-true approach of pencil and paper. That’s why we created our RE+ 2024 Preparation Worksheet here to guide your planning process. This worksheet serves as a template that you can print and complete with your goals, booths of interest, list of people to meet, and a calendar of your prioritized activities.
Still have questions or want to plan further ahead for future events? Contact the DG+ team to see how we can help you with your marketing, creative, and communication needs. We would also love to meet you at RE+!
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