Money20/20 is one of my favorite fintech industry events. It brings together thought leaders, innovators, and disruptors to explore and shape the future of financial technology. There’s always a lot going on, and it’s not always easy to know where to look, what to do, or how to budget your time. So, here are some ideas for how you can maximize your experience—whether you’re an exhibitor looking to drive sales or an attendee eager to explore the latest trends.
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What exhibitors should focus on at Money20/20
Exhibitors at trade shows like Money20/20 often focus heavily on booth setup, lead generation, and product demos. While these are essential, there are some strategic elements that exhibitors commonly overlook, which can significantly impact their success. Here are a few things exhibitors should be paying attention to that most people miss:
Competitor presence and positioning. On-site reconnaissance can help you generate ideas and identify opportunities to break through the dreaded fintech “sea of sameness.” Monitoring how competitors are positioning themselves can give you valuable insights into industry trends and areas where you can differentiate. Look at their booth traffic, messaging, and engagement tactics to see how they’re attracting attendees.
What to do: Assign team members to scout competitors’ booths at different times each day and maybe even strike up a friendly conversation—note what’s working for them and what gaps your offering could potentially fill.
Paid geotargeting opportunities: Paid geotargeting lets you serve ads directly to Money20/20 attendees by drawing a virtual box around the convention center. You can even capture device IDs to retarget prospects after the show—without wasting ad spend on the casino crowd and sportsbook riffraff.
What to do: Before the event, configure your geotargeting parameters so your ads appear on mobile devices only within the Money20/20 convention center. You can promote booth visits, demos, or exclusive show offers. This strategy works well to keep your brand in front of high-value leads.
Pre-event targeting and outreach. It’s easy to focus only on the attendees who stop by your booth and miss the opportunity to pre-target high-value prospects before the event even starts. Money20/20’s event app and social media channels provide insights into who will be attending, but many exhibitors don’t take full advantage of this.
What to do: Use event tools like the event app and track show-specific hashtags on social media to schedule pre-show meetings with decision-makers. Personalized outreach through LinkedIn or email can secure valuable conversations before you even step onto the trade show floor.
Post-event content strategy. Most exhibitors focus on generating leads at the event but neglect the post-show content follow-up. Momentum can drop off quickly after events, as people get caught back up in day-to-day business. This is a missed opportunity to continue nurturing leads and maintaining forward motion after the event.
What to do: Prepare a post-show content calendar that includes follow-up emails, blog posts, case studies, and social media posts, and direct LinkedIn outreach. Follow up on the conversations you had with attendees by offering personalized insights.
Event data and analytics. Tracking data during the event can provide real-time insights into what’s working and what isn’t. While many exhibitors collect leads, few use real-time data analysis to adjust their strategies on the fly—and it’s not as complicated as it sounds.
What to do: Set up a system to track engagement metrics like booth traffic (what are the hot points of your display and where are people naturally congregating) and lead quality (who are you attracting and what questions are they asking). Schedule staff meetings at the end of each day and use these insights to make real-time adjustments—whether it’s changing your pitch, moving product displays, or hosting impromptu demos to better engage your audience.
Leveraging event partnerships and media coverage. Trade shows attract not just potential buyers but also media outlets, analysts, and influencers. Many exhibitors miss the chance to engage with these groups, which could lead to valuable media exposure and industry credibility.
What to do: Reach out to trade show organizers to find out which media outlets or influencers will be present. Schedule interviews or offer insights for event publications. Make sure you have a press kit available, both physically at your booth and digitally for easy sharing.
Collaborating with non-competitive exhibitors. Many exhibitors treat other companies as competition, but some non-competitive businesses can become valuable partners. Collaboration or co-marketing opportunities with adjacent service providers can open new sales channels.
What to do: Identify exhibitors whose offerings complement your own. For instance, a fintech company might benefit from partnering with a cybersecurity firm to offer an integrated solution. Build relationships that could extend beyond the trade show.
Onsite social media activation. With a heavy focus on pre-show social media promotion, many exhibitors miss the chance to activate their presence during the event. Onsite social media can amplify your presence beyond the physical booth.
What to do: Have a team member dedicated to capturing and posting live updates on social media. Take pictures of interactions with clients and industry leaders. Let people know how their images will be used and secure permission before posting online. Engage with event hashtags and share behind-the-scenes moments to boost visibility.
Engaging attendees beyond the booth. Don’t limit audience engagement to booth interactions and miss opportunities to connect in other settings. Money20/20 has many networking events, parties, and informal meetups where relationships can be built.
What to do: Attend after-hours events, parties, and unofficial gatherings to engage with attendees in a more relaxed environment. These settings are often where the most meaningful connections happen. Take a look at the sponsorships and interactions that work, and keep those tactics in mind as you plan for 2025.
Insights for Money20/20 attendees
Let’s just get a few practical things out of the way: wear comfortable shoes, don’t forget to take notes, and be sure to take breaks. Also, bring chapstick, breath mints, and a refillable water bottle. Trust me, the air in Las Vegas (and every hotel and convention hall) is super dry. You’ll thank yourself later for staying hydrated and taking a breather when you can.
Now that we’ve covered the survival basics, let’s move on to the more strategic tips that help make the most of attendees’ time at Money20/20.
Money20/20 attendees have a wealth of opportunities at their disposal, but it’s easy to overlook some strategic elements that can elevate the experience from simply attending a trade show to creating lasting value. Here are some often-missed strategic aspects to which attendees should pay attention:
Pre-event research and targeting. Many attendees arrive without a clear plan, which can lead to missed opportunities. By researching exhibitors, speakers, and other attendees ahead of time, you can identify key connections, sessions, and trends that align with your business goals.
What to do: Study the event agenda, exhibitor list, and speaker lineup. Create a prioritized list of must-attend sessions and key people you want to meet. Use the event app to schedule meetings or plan booth visits in advance to ensure you make the most of your time.
Networking beyond the obvious. It’s easy to get caught up in the big names or well-known brands, but some of the most valuable connections may come from lesser-known startups, adjacent industries, or casual conversations. Networking isn’t just about meeting companies; it’s about building relationships with individuals.
What to do: Look beyond the major exhibitors and explore the startup alley or emerging tech sections. Engage with attendees from periphery industries like cybersecurity, payments, or compliance, as these areas are increasingly integrated into fintech. Make time for casual networking events, evening mixers, or even spontaneous meetings outside official sessions.
Strategic session selection. With so many sessions and panels, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and attend only the big keynote events. However, smaller, niche sessions often provide deep insights into emerging trends, offering a more focused learning experience that could be directly relevant to your business.
What to do: Go beyond the keynote speeches and look for breakout sessions, workshops, or discussions that address specific pain points or trends in your industry. These are often more interactive and offer the chance to connect with experts or influencers in a more intimate setting.
Competitor and market analysis. Trade shows like Money20/20 aren’t just for meeting new people—they’re also a prime opportunity to assess the competitive landscape and learn from your competitors. It’s an ideal environment for understanding market positioning and how companies are evolving.
What to do: Take notes on how competitors are marketing their products, interacting with attendees, and positioning themselves. Pay attention to messaging, product launches, and booth traffic to gauge industry trends and identify areas where you can differentiate your offering.
Tech demos and hands-on learning. While sessions provide valuable information, hands-on experiences often offer deeper insights. Many attendees don’t take full advantage of interactive tech demos and learning labs, missing out on understanding how a new technology or platform works in practice.
What to do: Make time to visit demo areas and participate in hands-on labs that allow you to experience new fintech solutions in action. This not only gives you a better understanding of the technology, but also allows you to ask informed questions about potential applications for your business.
Brand building and thought leadership. Attending a major event like Money20/20 offers more than just networking—it’s also an opportunity to build your personal and company brand. However, many attendees overlook how to leverage this platform for thought leadership.
What to do: Actively participate in discussions, either through asking insightful questions during sessions or engaging in social media conversations around the event hashtag. Position yourself as a thought leader by sharing key takeaways, trends, and your unique perspective on fintech developments. This not only builds your network but also strengthens your industry presence.
Key trends and industries to watch
Beyond fintech, Money20/20 brings together industries that are increasingly essential contributors to the digital financial ecosystem. Here are some periphery industries this event will spotlight:
- Cybersecurity: With rising concerns over data breaches and fraud, cybersecurity has become a top priority for fintech companies. Exhibitors in this space will showcase solutions for protecting sensitive data, ensuring regulatory compliance, and managing risk.
- Artificial intelligence (AI): From fraud detection to personalized financial services, AI is transforming how fintech companies operate. Look for AI-focused sessions and exhibitors exploring everything from machine learning algorithms to AI-powered customer service.
- Blockchain: Blockchain remains one of the most disruptive technologies in fintech. Whether you’re interested in decentralized finance (DeFi) or the future of digital currencies, blockchain will have a significant presence at the show.
- Regtech: Regulatory technology is growing in importance as companies look for efficient ways to manage compliance. If your business operates in multiple jurisdictions, keep an eye on exhibitors in this space.
Money20/20 offers unparalleled opportunities to grow your business and network with some of the brightest minds in the industry. Be sure to approach the show with clear goals, a strategic plan, and an open mind to fully capitalize on everything Money20/20 has to offer.
Connect with Envisionit at Money20/20! Envisionit is a leading, award-winning strategic growth and marketing agency with deep expertise in the tech industry. Our team specializes in helping fintech, insurtech, and cybersecurity companies unlock their full potential through tailored digital marketing strategies that drive growth and enhance brand visibility. Whether you’re launching a new product, building market share, or seeking to refine your messaging, Envisionit has the insights and tools to elevate your business.
Want to know how our industry-specific knowledge and innovative marketing solutions can help you stand out? Let’s talk.
