Why FAB’s one-to-one meetings beat stand-hop networking
Trade-show speed dating has never worked for senior finance leaders. You need answers, not swag. That’s why the Finance, Accounting & Bookkeeping Show (FAB) has rebuilt the visitor experience around curated 1-2-1 meetings – private sessions in a dedicated zone, pre-qualified on both sides and scheduled to the minute.
What makes the meetings different?
They’re data-matched, not random: Weeks before you step onto the NEC floor, FAB’s platform cross-checks your firm size, technology stack and budget window against exhibitor criteria. If both sides tick the right boxes, you get a calendar invite. If not, the system moves on – saving everyone’s time.
It’s a closed-door environment: No crowds, no background noise – just a table, and decision-makers on both sides. That privacy lets you drill into pricing, implementation hurdles and integrations you wouldn’t discuss on an open stand.
The visitor pay-off
The value for visitors is simple: a curated 1-2-1 lets you compress months of research into half an hour. You can validate a shortlist on the spot by seeing competing platforms demoed back-to-back, stress-test ROI with someone who can walk you through pay-back calculations, sketch an implementation timetable alongside the vendor’s technical lead, and even negotiate commercial terms with a director who has the authority to say “yes”. Instead of collecting leaflets, you walk out with concrete answers, draft numbers and next steps you can take back to the board.
The exhibitor angle (and why it benefits you)
Vendors commit serious resources to these meetings: senior product leads, tech consultants and pricing authority all in the room. That means you’re not collecting promises – you’re agreeing actions that can move a project forward the following week.
Make the hall work harder for you
Use the rest of the show to sense-check what you heard behind closed doors. Drop by competitor stands, sit in on vendor-led sessions, and compare notes with peers in the networking gatherings. By the time you leave Birmingham, you’ll have moved a six-month research cycle into two focused days.
Ready to turn conversations into concrete next steps?
Lock in your FAB26 ticket today and reserve your 1-2-1 meeting slots while they’re still open. We’ll do the matchmaking – you bring the business objectives. Our combined platforms - AccountingWEB, the Accounting Excellence Awards, and FAB - give you access to the UK's largest and most highly engaged accounting community all year round. And all that knowledge and rich data ensures your trip to Birmingham is a focused, high-return investment rather than a hopeful punt.
Tired of rushed stand chats? Secure your ticket now to guarantee access to the 1-2-1 connected buyer zone.
