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Tips for Prepping for CS+TSETips for Prepping for CS+TSE
Arrive to Catersource + The Special Event prepared and ready
5 Min Read
Ivan Piedra Photography/AGNYC Productions/SpotMyPhotos
Heading to Catersource + The Special Event (CS+TSE) at the end of the month? You’re not alone! With thousands of event professionals descending on Fort Lauderdale, this year’s conference will be one to remember. More than just a chance to escape the office, CS+TSE is an opportunity to connect, learn, and elevate your event business. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned pro, proper preparation is key to maximizing your time onsite.
From educational sessions to networking opportunities, there’s plenty to take in—and a bit of proactive planning can help ensure a productive and rewarding experience. Here are some essential tips to prep for CS+TSE, so you can show up feeling confident and ready to make the most of all this conference has to offer.
Plan your onsite schedule
With so much to see and do at CS+TSE, having a game plan is essential. Review the lineup of educational sessions in advance and identify the topics that best align with your business goals. Map out these sessions on your calendar to avoid wasting time while onsite.
While it’s important to have a plan, leave room for flexibility! You may discover a can’t-miss session while exploring the conference center, or perhaps you want to extend a conversation with a new connection. Create a rough itinerary before you arrive, but during your time at the conference, try to play it by ear and take advantage of the endless opportunities around you.
Dress for the occasion
As you plan your attire for CS+TSE, aim to strike a balance between professionalism and comfort. Business casual is standard, but keep in mind that you’ll be on your feet for most of the day, whether you’re hustling between sessions or perusing the exhibition hall.
Wendy Kidd of Boss Level Engaged stresses the importance of wearing comfortable shoes. “The last thing you need is blisters because those cute shoes you choose to wear while networking rub you the wrong way,” she says. “Yes, impressions matter, but if you can't get there because your feet hurt too much, there won't be an impression to make!”
Additionally, remember to pack layers. While Fort Lauderdale’s weather will be warm, it’s common for conference centers to keep the air conditioning running. You don’t want to spend the day chilly, so bring a light sweater or blazer to keep you comfortable indoors.
Look for offsite hangouts
Networking doesn’t have to end when the conference wraps up for the day! Some of the best connections are made after hours when you can reflect and unpack the day’s experience with others. Take some time to scope out some restaurants or bars near the conference center and hotel where fellow attendees may gather at the end of the day.
“Find out the watering holes on online groups where attendees hang out,” Bite Catering Couture’s Vijay Goel suggests. “Try to see who else is going and know which hotels will be popular bars for the group to hang out or if there's a group of people that may be a good fit for dinner.”
These offsite meetups provide a chance to discuss takeaways from the day and build relationships in a more casual setting. And if you’re not sure where to go, don’t hesitate to ask around while you’re at the conference. It’s a great way to break the ice and find some new friends to hang out with while you’re in Fort Lauderdale!
The Paintillio paint by number booth at 2024 Catersource + The Special Event. Photo courtesy Ivan Piedra Photography/AGNYC Productions/SpotMyPhotos
Make time for the expo
The tradeshow floor is a goldmine for discovering the latest industry trends and cultivating potential business partnerships. Don’t end your CS+TSE experience without spending some time browsing the exhibitions!
“The expo is a great place to gauge the latest in hospitality and business trends,” confirms Kevin Dennis of Fantasy Sound Event Services. “With so many exhibitors showcasing modern event solutions, you don’t want to miss out on this opportunity to see what’s new in the industry.”
Before you arrive, Dennis recommends “reviewing the list of exhibitors in advance and highlighting the must-see booths that stand out to you.” However, don’t be afraid to venture beyond your priority list! You never know when a casual conversation could evolve into a meaningful, long-lasting relationship. Make sure to bring business cards!
Prepare for your return home
While the conference may officially end with the Closing Night Celebration, the real work comes when you arrive home from your trip. You’ll need time to unpack everything you’ve learned and nurture your newly made connections—otherwise, you may not get the return on investment you expected from the experience.
“Once you’re back in the office, set aside a day or two to follow up with new networking relationships and work on executing the education you took away from the conference,” Dennis says. “If you don’t, you risk getting too busy and forgetting about it.”
Review your session notes, highlight key takeaways, and consider how to apply them to your business. If you collected brochures or samples from the tradeshow, sort through them to determine whether you need to take action on anything.
Kidd recommends buying the pass to download session recordings after the conference. “This makes your day much less stressful, and you can truly take advantage of meeting people and networking,” she explains. Then, “set aside a couple of hours a week so you can watch everything and not forget what you want to learn!”
Equally important is nurturing the relationships you built during the event. Send quick follow-up emails or LinkedIn messages to the people you met—whether it’s thanking a speaker for an informative talk or checking in with a fellow attendee. You never know what could happen—a thoughtful message can turn a brief introduction into a long-term industry connection.
Attending CS+TSE presents countless opportunities for business growth, personal development, and networking, but making the most of it requires some prep work ahead of time. Conferences are what you make of them—be intentional about how you spend your time, remain open to new connections, and embrace the unexpected!
Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and wedding marketing firm OFD Consulting. Ely is a sought-after speaker and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.
