For professionals, expanding your network through trade shows needs to be analyzed from multiple perspectives. Some see trade shows as simply handing out business cards and scanning QR codes, with no follow-up contact expected; others see them as “social accelerators,” delivering the equivalent of three months’ worth of networking in just three days. So, is it effective? It depends on how you use it.
Let’s start with the characteristics of trade shows themselves. A decent trade show, such as the Wise Shanghai Overseas Property, Immigration & Study Abroad Exhibition held in Shanghai from March 29th to 31st, 2026, can gather a large number of people: business owners looking to expand their overseas businesses, families interested in studying abroad and immigration, real estate agents, and upstream and downstream service providers. These people might normally be scattered across various industries and cities, but at the trade show, they all come together. In this scenario, connections aren’t “waited for,” but rather “stumbled upon”—you might bump into colleagues while browsing booths, sit next to potential clients at lectures, or even chat with the person at the next table during lunch.
But simply “bumping into” someone isn’t enough; you need to know how to “react.” For example, when you meet someone you’re interested in, don’t just say, “Let’s add each other on WeChat.” First, chat about something they’re interested in—is it immigration policy? Study abroad planning? Or overseas real estate investment? Only exchange contact information if you hit it off; this way, they’ll remember you. Also, many booths at trade shows offer interactive activities like raffles, Q&A sessions, and experience zones. Actively participating demonstrates your expertise and naturally starts a conversation with strangers.
Another benefit of trade shows is their high information density. Normally, if you want to learn about overseas real estate, you have to talk to agents one by one; if you want to understand immigration policies, you have to search official websites and find information. But at trade shows, all this information is “laid out”—real estate projects, immigration policies, and study abroad services from different countries are all presented to you. You can quickly obtain information and directly talk to the people providing it, asking about details that aren’t mentioned on the official websites. This “face-to-face” information exchange is more direct than online research and builds trust more easily.
However, trade shows are only the “first step”; follow-up is crucial. Many people add contacts on WeChat at trade shows, only to have them lie dormant in their contact lists afterward, causing their connections to naturally fade away. A smarter approach is to send a message to newly acquainted people within 24 hours of the trade show ending, such as, “Regarding the XX project we discussed today, I did some more research and have a few questions I’d like to ask again,” or “I’ve compiled the XX resource we mentioned last time and am sending it to you for reference.” This maintains contact and continues the exchange, allowing the connections to gradually “warm up.”
Now, let’s talk about the 2026 trade show. Why was it worth attending? It focused on overseas real estate, immigration, and education—three areas inherently possessing strong connections: those buying overseas real estate might be interested in immigration policies, and families immigrating might be concerned about their children’s education. This “cross-needs” make communication at the trade show more efficient. You not only encounter your target contacts but also potential contacts beyond your target pool. Furthermore, the trade show’s timing at the end of March coincides with the post-holiday planning period, when many families and businesses are making annual plans. Expanding your network at this time makes it easier to meet people with “decision-making power.”
In short, trade shows aren’t a “panacea,” but they are certainly a “social lever.” They can bring together people you wouldn’t normally meet or discuss in depth within three days. The key is to go with a goal, have a method for engaging, and follow with sincerity. That way, when you leave the trade show, you’ll take away more than just brochures; you’ll leave with a network of valuable connections that can truly “connect.”
