750,000 square feet of space. 65,000-plus attendees. 1000-plus exhibitors.
PRI is huge, to say the least. It overwhelms even the most seasoned of industry vets. However, it’s open to the public (with a $40 PRI membership), meaning weekend warriors can take advantage of this incredible assemblage of the top minds and companies in motorsport under one roof.
Here’s some advice in getting the most out of the show.
1. Don’t Show Up Without a Plan
What’s your most finite resource at PRI? Time.
Maximize your time with a plan. Use PRI’s My Show Planner, which you can access online via this link or as an app for your phone. Think about what you need or what you want to learn more about. Search PRI’s My Show Planner for exhibitors related to those needs.
2. Don’t Waste Your Time
You got 8 hours a day times 3 days. That’s 24 hours altogether.
A word of warning, though: On Saturday, many of the key people leave early. In reality, you have Thursday, Friday and maybe half of Saturday. Maybe.
Don’t expect meetings for more than 15 minutes on the show floor. Be brief. Be courteous. Be patient. Figure in waiting time (you’re certainly not the only one there) and transit time, too. It can take 15-plus minutes just to walk from one hall to another.
3. Don’t Panhandle for Sponsorships, But Network Freely
If you’re the type that thinks you can exchange keys on a first date, you’ll be disappointed when pitching sponsorships at PRI. Don’t do it, unless you have an existing relationship or you’re an Andretti, Petty or Unser.
Visiting exhibitors just for sponsorship is a major turn-off. However, PRI is a good time to start a relationship and meet new people. Key thought here: Picturing of any kind of corporate support as a partnership over a sponsorship can go a long way.
Keep in touch with them over the course of the year. More importantly, use their products. Once you have a working relationship, then ask. Until then, you’re a five-year-old with a toy drum.
4. Don’t Be Shy
You’ve traveled far. Spent the money on overpriced hotels, food and parking (more on that later).
Why then would you just walk far away from booths and never interact with them? The biggest thing you can get out of PRI is interaction with so many experts in one place. Get a good look at products. Ask questions. Make connections. You don’t know what you can discover by taking in all that an exhibitor offers.
5. Don’t Overlook Seminars
Education is expensive. Good luck finding a course for just $40. PRI offers that with a ton of free or low-cost seminars.
Need to learn about shocks? How about brakes? Metallurgy? Yep, they got that and then some. Once again, check out the My Show Planner for more details. Seminars do take up a bit of time, but it can be worth it.
6. Don’t Expect to Do This on the Cheap
Downtown Indy isn’t full of bargains. That includes hotels, restaurants and parking. Many of the restaurants (and hotels) are meh (especially in the neighboring mall–avoid it!), although some are great, such as St. Elmo’s. You’ll need reservations for a place like St. Elmo’s, though, during PRI.
Parking is expensive, parking tickets even more so (trust me on this one). Watch where you park. Speaking of parking, keep in mind you’re in a big city with big city problems. Be smart. Don’t flash your cash and valuables. Watch your surroundings. Do that, and you’ll have a good time.
If you want more moderately priced venues, venture 30 to 45 minutes away from the convention center. If it’s not wintry, it’s a good deal. If it looks like a typical Midwest December, you’ll be wishing you booked a room connected to the show (or has a shuttle to it). Then again, those are probably sold out by the time you realize that mistake.
7. Don’t Forget to Take Care of Yourself
At PRI, it’s easily to fall in the trap of forgetting about yourself. You may miss meals, put off going to the restroom and sleep only a couple hours, if at all.
Remember to take care of yourself. You can spend an hour to two hours to eat something decent. You can find the time to head to the restroom to relieve yourself–and wash your hands (do that often).
And, 8 hours of sleep is worth it. You need to do this to be on your A game. I once attended an important business meeting after losing my voice due to neglecting myself. Never again.
8. Don’t Forget to Have Fun
Admittedly, I sometimes struggle with this. Loosen up! Take in some of the random stuff you see along the way.
Go to a happening bar downtown. Say hello to one of your racing heroes.
Over the years, I’ve met so many wonderful people at PRI and have made memories I’ll never forget. Here’s a hint: You will find racers at Steak ’n Shake at 2 a.m. Some might have found love that night. Some could be quite inebriated. However, you may score a free meal from a champion racer there. They might not remember it, but you will.
