10 Tips to Get the Most Out of Home Delivery World

Here at FIDELITONE, our team has been attending the Home Delivery World expo for the past six years. Home Delivery World is a conference dedicated to retail logistics. It’s one of the best for networking and discovering the latest and greatest in products and solutions. Each year we attend seems to be even better than the last. This year, the expo is at the AmericasMart Center in Atlanta, Georgia. We’ve come to really enjoy our time in Atlanta as the conference has taken place there each year since 2014. There are more than 200 speakers and 150 exhibitors confirmed, including yours truly.

Conferences like this one can be a bit overwhelming for newcomers. Where should I start? Which sessions should I attend? We consider ourselves conference experts – we attend and exhibit at a dozen conferences every year. Our team shares their top tips for making the most of your time at Home Delivery World.

1. Don’t miss out on the keynotes

The agenda is packed full of speakers and it can be overwhelming to choose which sessions to attend. You really can’t go wrong, but we recommend blocking off time to attend the keynote speakers. It’s not everyday that you get to hear from the executives of two retail giants – Amazon and Walmart.

2. Utilize the Jujama mobile app to plan your schedule

The Jujama mobile application is a great tool to plan your schedule. The app also provides a terrific opportunity for identifying those service providers and peers with whom you want to connect.

3. There’s no need to rent a car

Our team likes to use MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) to travel to and from the airport. It’s convenient and fast! However, Uber is a great option too. There’s really no need to rent a car, especially if you’re staying at a nearby hotel.

4. Which bring us to our next tip… stay at a nearby hotel

This will make things much easier if you need a rest during the day or a change of clothes before an evening networking event. The FIDELITONE team typically stays at the Marriott Marquis – there’s a skyway that connects the hotel to the expo.For a cocktail and after hours networking, we usually connect at the Hyatt hotel bar. Let us know if you would like the connect over a drive one night!

5. The round tables are great for networking

The round tables are always a great opportunity to learn from peers in spirited topical discussions. It’s no surprise that anything involving white glove delivery and order fulfillment is where you will find FIDELITONE.

6. Networking beforehand

After you’ve studied the agenda and planned your days, it’s time to do some prep work. Before the conference, monitor your InMails from colleagues. We are omni-channel, so don’t forget to check the Jujama application too.

7. Network via Twitter

Home Delivery World draws in major influencers in retail and potential leads for your business. Before every conference, we follow people on Twitter who we’re more interested in connecting with during the event. Reaching out to leads online before a conference breaks the ice to set up and in-person meeting.

Reach out to FIDELITONE to schedule an introduction. We would love to hear from you!

8. Utilize the conference hashtag

Every conference these days has a hashtag. For this one, it’s #HDW and #HomeDeliveryUSA. Following the hashtag is the easiest and most effective way to participate in the conversation on social media. You have access to an audience that you wouldn’t otherwise. Tag speakers while you’re at their sessions. And try to respond to a few tweets and do a few retweets each hour from other attendees. You never know where a connection could lead. While you’re at it, give us a follow on Twitter!

9. Good things can happen after sunset

Sometimes the best networking happens after the expo ends for the day. We are co-hosting an after hours event with other service providers at Ray’s in the City on Wednesday the 18th. Let us know if you would like to attend – it’s sure to be a great night.

Image credit: Zagat

10. Have some fun!

You’ll get burnt out if your schedule is all work and no play. Atlanta is a great city and the weather is typically warm. Ray’s in the City and Benihana (yes it’s a chain but who can resist the entertainment of hibachi with your meal) are a couple of our favorite nearby restaurants.

Let’s connect in Atlanta! Stop by booth #301 to meet the FIDELITONE team.