It’s that time of year again where over 30,000 adtech professionals from all over the world will gather in Cologne, former capital of Germany, for what has become known as the “hotspot for digiconomy” at Dmexco. Attendees and presenters will discuss the latest trends and innovations, strike direct deals, make lively presentations, gather new knowledge and, most importantly, take part in valuable networking opportunities.
We at MediaMath are very excited to have a large booth presence once again at Dmexco for the third time in a row in the much sought-after Hall 7, alongside major industry names like Facebook and Google. In addition, we are excited to have audience partners that we work closely with as our co-sponsors as evidence of our commitment to collaboration and joint differentiated solutions. Our global data partners, Eyeota and VisualDNA, will be sharing space with us during our two days there. We are looking forward to hosting Listen & Learn presentations with both of them, as well as one of our key B2B data partners, Bombora. We will also be hosting a joint party on Wednesday evening with VisualDNA. Be sure to stop by our booth to enjoy some of these activities and meet our regional teams, as well as learn more about our upcoming, exciting global initiatives.
In order to prepare you for what can be a very overwhelming two days, we’ve come up with our top three tricks, with a few insider tips thrown in, to help you get the most out of your Dmexco experience.
Plan Ahead
There is a smorgasbord of different and interesting content from 950+ exhibitors spread over almost 90,000 square feet. Narrow down what you want to learn most about, and commit to that. Set up meetings beforehand where possible since schedules over such a limited time can be challenging. Post on LinkedIn to let others know that you will be attending to expand your networking possibilities. Insider tip: Download the Dmexco app, which is available a few weeks before the event, and familiarize yourself with the event schedule, presenters and overall layout.
Make sure to mark down presentations and talks for which you want to be present, and ensure you are in that area a good 10 to 15 minutes beforehand to get a spot with good visibility. Insider tip: Be sure to bring a cellphone charger, enough business cards, extremely comfortable shoes, wifi booster and a big smile.
Navigation is Key
Get there early on Wednesday to familiarize yourself with the landscape, but not too early. The entry queue is longest at the start of the morning, so go just a little later to miss the crowds. Insider tip: Make sure the QR code on your ticket is easily accessible on your phone or print out your ticket for a smooth entry.
The distance between halls and aisles can be deceiving. Give yourself at least 10 to 15 minutes time to get from one point to another. It is not unheard of that many coveted meetings are often missed or shortened drastically because of simply getting lost.
Pick up maps, find booths to serve as landmarks, note where the bathrooms are and remember that food lines can be long at peak times. Insider tip: The queues for food and drink are shorter at the outside food trucks between the halls than in any of the inside areas.
Also don’t forget to figure out how you will be commuting to the convention center ahead of time. The train is a much better bet over taxis since there never seem to be enough each year to cater to the crowds.
Social Networking For the Win
As with any conference, there are many social opportunities and nighttime parties. Many exhibitor booths host happy hours onsite on Wednesday evening and others host dinner and drink events all around town. Often these present additional networking opportunities in a non-pressured environment and provide a chance to strike up unexpected conversations. Insider tip: The official and unofficial Dmexco parties both always gather a very large crowd and are executed well in terms of venue, music and ambiance. Even if loud music or crowds are not your scene, it is an eye-opening experience that should be checked out at least once. Accept the fact that you will have later nights and that sleep can wait till you are back home.
Cologne itself is a charming city with a stunning cathedral that absolutely has to be explored and beautiful bridges all over. Take some time to sightsee, have some traditional German bratwurst and visit a beer garden or two.
Finally, don’t forget to find at least a few minutes to dwell on the fact that you work in such a vibrant and fast-paced field that allows you to network on such a global level. Insider tip: Make sure you post at least once on social media to make your friends jealous…..#Dmexco2016
We look forward to seeing you on Sept. 14th and 15th in Cologne in Hall 7, Booth D-109/E-108!