Networking in the Age of Social Distancing: Enter the Virtual Trade Show

It's fascinating to imagine how different life might look today without the internet and virtual solutions for businesses across the globe. In many ways, we’re fortunate compared to those who lived through the Spanish Flu of 1918. It’s essential to focus on the positives of these challenging times. Platforms like Zoom meetings, webinars, and social media have been vital in keeping businesses operational and employees connected. However, what happens when annual conferences and expos come around? As with many aspects of business, it’s time to embrace digital alternatives and explore innovative ways to reach potential customers. One such avenue is the virtual trade show.

Recently, Nationwide Coils seized this opportunity by participating in the NYSSFA School Facilities Managers’ Virtual Conference & Expo, held on October 6th-7th, 2020. Although we’ve been members of NYSSFA since 2009, past conflicts with the event’s timing meant we’d never been able to attend before. This year, however, the shift to a virtual format presented an exciting new opportunity.

A Silver Lining Emerges.

The challenges of 2020 have opened doors we couldn’t have anticipated. Hosting a virtual booth at the NYSSFA conference allowed us to showcase our brand to a key market—school facility managers—and gain valuable insights into their needs. With over 80 exhibitors and 200 registered attendees, the event offered a unique platform for engagement.

We owe a big thanks to the NYSSFA team, whose support made building our virtual booth a seamless process. Drawing from our extensive experience working with school districts, we focused our offerings on the most commonly requested replacement coils: opposite-end steam coils, hot water coils, and chilled water coils. Attendees could download a spotlight data sheet highlighting these products, along with our brochure and a special pricing sheet exclusive to NYSSFA members. While we couldn’t engage face-to-face, our virtual presence helped us build meaningful connections and expand our email marketing list. By the end of the event, we gained valuable exposure to a critical market—all from the comfort of our remote office.

Looking Back.

Since Nationwide Coils was established in 2004, NYSSFA has held a special place in our history. Our first step was joining as a business partner, hoping to become an HVAC vendor for replacement coils across New York’s school districts. New York holds a sentimental value for us—it’s where we’re headquartered, where our team lives, and where our kids attend school. The virtual trade show strengthened our ties with this important market, allowing us to connect with districts we’ve worked with personally and others we hope to collaborate with in the future.

Looking Ahead.

Nationwide Coils specializes in custom and OEM replacement coils, prioritizing exceptional customer service 24/7. Our goal is to remain the go-to provider for HVAC coil replacements in New York school districts. To our NY School District partners, remember that regardless of your participation in the conference, Nationwide Coils is proud to offer a preferred pricing program through the end of the year. Let us provide you with a free quote and continue serving the schools that have supported us throughout the years.