Finding Local Business Events and Fairs

[Team Clean]

Hi,

We are a small family run business and have been pretty successful with domestic clients, but want to step things up!

For context, we are a carpet cleaning business based in Bristol, UK.

For us I feel like the next step is to engage with businesses and tender for commercial contracts.

I have been doing some cold calls, but this hasn't been particularly fruitful.

We are happy to offer value, and really believe in our expertise, but I haven't really found anywhere 'offline' to showcase our work to commercial clients.

We are ramping up our social media presence, but in the meantime any advice from other cleaning/ service based businesses about local business events and fairs in the UK would be great to hear as I can't seem to find many that would be suitable for a business like us.

Any comments, questions and feedback are welcome.

Thanks for reading!

 

[NickZ]

local business events and fairs in the UK would be great

yes it is the right approach for many businesses. You can spread optimism face to face.

www.b2bexpos.co.uk/
www.b2bexpos.co.uk/
www.greatbritishexpos.co.uk/
www.businessfairsuk.com/
There are many more.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

How will a business event help you? I suppose a hyper local one would get you exposure, however, are your target clients going to attend?

Have you tried networking?

 

[fisicx]

Surely local businesses already have a cleaner. It’s not difficult to find someone, most towns have cleaners and carpet cleaning listed on Google.

How often do offices get their carpets cleaned?

 

[NickZ]

How will a business event help you?

Surely local businesses already have a cleaner. It’s not difficult to find someone, most towns have cleaners and carpet cleaning listed on Google.

No wonder the UK's collective businesses are close to being depressed.
You guys got used to finding hair in soup.

Events work for some and not for all, you can be part of one fair and get 5 companies signing up and the next fair you get 0. Most depends on your mindset and how contagious you are.

 

[fisicx]

@NickZ - how often do you get your carpets cleaned at work?

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

No wonder the UK's collective businesses are close to being depressed.
You guys got used to finding hair in soup.

Nick, I am not sure how many businesses you have directly helped on a 1:1 basis. But for me it is well over 1000. During those meetings, I have discovered some very common traits and one of them is not knowing what they don't know. This, combined with focussing on only one thing they believe is right, can waste time and money.

I have also organised over 40 local business events and been the largest exhibitor at Europe's largest business show, so I understand the demographics of their visitors.

Asking these questions helps to bring clarity to OP's and questions their thoughts process and hopefully gets them to think wider.

 

[NickZ]

I don't have a carpet. To many critters loving to build nests in our part of the world. It not about me.

how often do you get your carpets cleaned at work?

It is not about me nor is it about what you did in the past. Its about now. In this very thread.

Nick, I am not sure how many businesses you have directly helped on a 1:1 basis. But for me it is well over 1000. During those meetings,

 

[MarketingQuote]

Maybe popping into a few local businesses and introduce yourself rather than doing cold calls. People buy from people.

 

[fisicx]

I don't have a carpet. To many critters loving to build nests in our part of the world. It not about me.

Indeed. But office carpet cleaning is done rarely. It’s not something you sign up for with a cleaning company. Which is why for @Team Clean attending trade shows or whatever it probably a waste of time. If you need your carpets cleaned you ask your normal cleaner or do a search online.

 

[victorherrera]

Indeed. But office carpet cleaning is done rarely. It’s not something you sign up for with a cleaning company. Which is why for @Team Clean attending trade shows or whatever it probably a waste of time. If you need your carpets cleaned you ask your normal cleaner or do a search online.

Why do you think office carpet cleaning is done so rarely?

 

[fisicx]

Why do you think office carpet cleaning is done so rarely?

Because carpets in offices don’t need much more than a regular hoover. The pile is different to that you have at home.

 

[NickZ]

Why do you think office carpet cleaning is done so rarely?

Because carpets in offices don’t need much more than a regular hoover. The pile is different to that you have at home.

The god almighty knows every household and every office carpet in the UK.

 

[fisicx]

The god almighty knows every household and every office carpet in the UK.

And your point is?

 

[FriendsInvest]

Hi,

We are a small family run business and have been pretty successful with domestic clients, but want to step things up!

For context, we are a carpet cleaning business based in Bristol, UK.

For us I feel like the next step is to engage with businesses and tender for commercial contracts.

I have been doing some cold calls, but this hasn't been particularly fruitful.

We are happy to offer value, and really believe in our expertise, but I haven't really found anywhere 'offline' to showcase our work to commercial clients.

We are ramping up our social media presence, but in the meantime any advice from other cleaning/ service based businesses about local business events and fairs in the UK would be great to hear as I can't seem to find many that would be suitable for a business like us.

Any comments, questions and feedback are welcome.

Thanks for reading!

Hiya!

Below are some ideas:

• Attend Property & Facilities Expos: Property and facilities management events are packed with potential clients like office managers and hoteliers—perfect for showcasing your services.
• Get Involved with Local BIDs: Bristol’s BIDs (like Broadmead and City Centre) often connect businesses with local service providers. Attend their events to build relationships.
• Partner with Related Services: Team up with local tradespeople who work with commercial clients. Mutual referrals can bring in leads without cold calling.
• Host a Demo Day: Invite nearby businesses for a cleaning demo. Showing your expertise firsthand can drive word-of-mouth referrals.

When it comes to the general demand of carpet cleaning, try to figure out which types of businesses most need it. I assume it's any with high foot traffic such as:

• Offices and co-working spaces
• Hotels and hospitality
• Retail stores
• Property management companies
• Healthcare facilities
• Schools and universities
• Gyms and sports facilities

 

[gabrielakurtz]

Hiya!

Below are some ideas:

• Attend Property & Facilities Expos: Property and facilities management events are packed with potential clients like office managers and hoteliers—perfect for showcasing your services.
• Get Involved with Local BIDs: Bristol’s BIDs (like Broadmead and City Centre) often connect businesses with local service providers. Attend their events to build relationships.
• Partner with Related Services: Team up with local tradespeople who work with commercial clients. Mutual referrals can bring in leads without cold calling.
• Host a Demo Day: Invite nearby businesses for a cleaning demo. Showing your expertise firsthand can drive word-of-mouth referrals.

When it comes to the general demand of carpet cleaning, try to figure out which types of businesses most need it. I assume it's any with high foot traffic such as:

• Offices and co-working spaces
• Hotels and hospitality
• Retail stores
• Property management companies
• Healthcare facilities
• Schools and universities
• Gyms and sports facilities

Thanks for the ideas! I love the suggestion of attending Property & Facilities Expos to meet potential clients, and partnering with local tradespeople sounds like a great way to get more leads. Hosting a cleaning demo is also a smart move to show our expertise. I’ll definitely keep these in mind, especially focusing on businesses with high foot traffic like offices, hotels, and retail stores. Appreciate the helpful tips!