CloudFest is one of the premier events for the cloud and hosting industry, bringing together decision-makers, innovators, and service providers from around the world. If you’re attending CloudFest as a sales consultant or marketing expert, preparation is key to maximizing your impact.
For the Dutch Cloud Community, including both vendors (such as carriers, hardware providers, saas providers and data center operators) and partners (IaaS companies, MSPs, and system integrators), the event is an excellent opportunity to build relationships, expand networks, and explore collaborations. Whether you’re looking to generate leads, build partnerships, or position yourself as an industry leader, here’s a structured guide to help you make the most of CloudFest.
1. Define Your Goals for CloudFest
Before attending, it’s crucial to set clear objectives that align with your business role:
For Vendors (e.g., Dutch IaaS Providers, Hyperscalers, Hardware Suppliers)
- Sales & Partnerships: Identify MSPs, resellers, and cloud integrators who can help distribute your solutions.
- Brand Visibility: Strengthen awareness of your offerings by engaging with European cloud players.
- Market Expansion: Find partners in new regions, such as Germany or the Nordics, to grow your footprint.
- Industry Insights: Monitor competitors and emerging cloud trends.
For Partners (e.g., MSPs, VARs, and Cloud Resellers)
- New Solutions: Identify innovative technologies (such as sovereign cloud offerings or managed Kubernetes solutions) that can enhance your portfolio.
- Vendor Relations: Strengthen existing partnerships and negotiate better agreements.
- Lead Generation: Connect with enterprises looking for managed cloud services.
- Compliance & Security: Keep up-to-date with regulatory changes impacting cloud adoption in the EU.
2. Research & Outreach Before the Event
Success at CloudFest starts before you even arrive.
- Check the exhibitor & attendee list: Identify vendors, distributors, and partners who align with your goals.
- Schedule meetings in advance: Dutch cloud resellers looking for new IaaS vendors should set up discussions before the event.
- Engage on LinkedIn: Post about your attendance, interact with relevant industry discussions, and connect with attendees before the event.
- Join pre-event networking groups: Many Dutch MSPs and hosting providers use Slack or LinkedIn groups to coordinate meetups in advance.
- Plan for the Dutch Night: Organized by the Dutch Cloud Community, this exclusive event is a must-attend for Dutch professionals looking to strengthen their industry connections in a more informal setting.
Example: A Dutch MSP specializing in managed hybrid cloud services could reach out to European storage vendors in advance to explore cost-effective, scalable solutions for their customer base.
3. Prepare Your Messaging & Value Proposition
To stand out at CloudFest, you need a clear and compelling pitch:
- Understand the audience’s pain points: What problems are cloud providers, hosting companies, or enterprise IT teams facing?
- Craft a powerful value proposition:
- For Dutch IaaS providers: Highlight how your cloud platform offers compliance with local regulations (such as NIS2 or GDPR) compared to hyperscalers.
- For Cloud Resellers & MSPs: Emphasize your ability to provide personalized, high-touch managed services versus large, impersonal public cloud providers.
- Keep it concise: A 60-second elevator pitch is essential in a fast-paced event.
Example: A Dutch cloud backup provider might focus their messaging on data sovereignty and GDPR-compliant cloud storage as a differentiator from US-based competitors.
4. Marketing & Visibility Strategies Without a Sponsor Booth
While having a booth at CloudFest can be valuable, not every company has the budget for sponsorship. However, there are plenty of ways to build visibility without one:
- Branded materials: Ensure you have business cards, brochures, or QR codes leading to your website.
- Social media engagement: Post before, during, and after the event. Use event hashtags, tag relevant connections, and share key takeaways.
- Leverage networking opportunities: Walk the exhibition floor strategically, engage in meaningful conversations, and attend breakout sessions.
- Live updates & content creation:
- Post real-time insights from panel discussions.
- Highlight trends and expert opinions.
- Share photos with key industry players to increase reach.
If you are considering sponsorship but unsure about the investment, reach out to CloudSuppliers for expert guidance on maximizing your ROI at CloudFest.
Example: A Dutch hosting provider attending CloudFest can host a small gathering for potential partners and document the event on LinkedIn to maximize reach.
5. On-Site Execution & Networking
With so many opportunities, effective time management is crucial:
- Stick to your schedule: Attend pre-planned meetings but stay flexible for spontaneous opportunities.
- Be present at networking events: Many important conversations happen at CloudFest’s after-hours events and side meetings.
- Take smart notes: Record key details of conversations for better follow-ups.
- Use a CRM or a structured tracking method: Categorize contacts into short-term, mid-term, and long-term leads.
Example: A Dutch system integrator looking for new edge computing solutions could plan to visit specific booths, attend edge-focused keynotes, and engage in discussions about the latest distributed cloud architectures.
6. Post-Event Follow-Up Plan
What you do after CloudFest is just as important as what you do during the event.
- Send personalized follow-ups: Reach out within 48 hours, referencing your conversation.
- Engage on LinkedIn: Like, comment, and share posts from new connections to stay visible.
- Nurture new leads: Provide additional insights, case studies, or demo invitations based on discussions at the event.
- Analyze insights & opportunities: What did you learn about industry trends, competitor strategies, and partnership opportunities?
Example: A Dutch cybersecurity company that connected with European hosting providers at CloudFest should send follow-ups with case studies showcasing the importance of secure hosting environments in light of new EU regulations.
Final Thoughts
CloudFest presents a massive opportunity for those in sales and marketing to make meaningful connections, drive business growth, and stay ahead of industry trends. Whether you’re attending as a vendor, partner, or independent consultant, proper planning and execution can make all the difference.
Are you attending CloudFest? Let’s connect and discuss how we can collaborate! If you’re considering sponsorship or need marketing support, reach out to CloudSuppliers to explore how we can help you maximize your impact at CloudFest.
