STONEBRIDGE, TEXAS — Officials from the Stonebridge Economic Partnership returned from a three-day industry trade show this week reporting strong booth traffic, high engagement and substantial interest from economic developers representing other communities.
The team attended the event to promote Stonebridge to manufacturers, suppliers and site selection consultants.
By the end of the first day, they had met economic developers from 11 states.
By the end of the second, that number had increased to 23.
“We had incredible traffic,” said Economic Development Director Natalie Brooks. “People were stopping constantly.”
Most were wearing badges that also said Economic Development.
The Stonebridge booth featured a large aerial map, branded giveaway items, industrial property information and a backlit sign reading MAKE IT IN STONEBRIDGE.
The sign proved especially effective at attracting neighboring economic development organizations interested in comparing booth design.
“We got a lot of compliments on the graphics,” Brooks said. “That’s engagement.”
One county development authority asked who produced the booth.
Another asked how much it cost.
A third photographed the brochure rack.
None currently plans to manufacture anything in Stonebridge.
The team had arrived with a clear objective: generate qualified leads from companies considering expansions, relocations or new facilities.
Instead, staff spent much of Tuesday discussing workforce marketing with communities from Indiana, Georgia and South Carolina.
“We had some really productive conversations,” said Business Development Manager Ryan Cole.
Asked whether any involved actual prospects, Cole said one economic developer mentioned knowing a company that might be expanding.
“That’s how relationships start.”
Trade show organizers estimated that thousands of industry representatives attended the event.
Stonebridge staff said connecting with them required patience.
“Corporate people tend to walk fast,” Brooks explained. “Economic developers stop.”
The distinction became increasingly clear over the three-day event.
Industry executives often glanced at the booth while continuing toward scheduled meetings.
Economic developers regularly entered, introduced themselves, asked where Stonebridge was located and remained for 20 minutes.
“One guy from Ohio came back three times,” Cole said.
He was particularly interested in the branded phone charger.
Stonebridge distributed 400 chargers during the event.
Staff estimate approximately 290 went to economic developers.
“We may adjust quantities next year,” Brooks said.
The booth’s location also created challenges.
It sat near several other economic development organizations, leading to what staff described as a “strong cluster effect.”
At several points, the aisle resembled an informal economic development conference taking place inside the trade show.
“We all started talking,” Cole said. “Then somebody would say, ‘Wait, aren’t we supposed to be finding companies?’”
The group would separate briefly.
Most reconvened within 15 minutes.
Site selection consultants proved particularly popular.
When one consultant approached the Stonebridge booth Wednesday morning, staff members from two neighboring communities reportedly appeared within seconds.
“It was impressive,” Brooks said. “They must have seen the badge.”
The consultant collected three brochures, accepted four invitations to lunch and left without revealing whether any clients had active projects.
All participating communities considered the interaction promising.
Stonebridge did speak with several company representatives during the event.
One manufacturer said the region sounded interesting.
Another accepted a brochure.
A third scanned the booth QR code while waiting for someone else.
All three were entered into the CRM.
The third was classified as “engaged.”
“We don’t want to lose momentum,” Cole said.
The team also attended networking receptions each evening.
These produced additional conversations with consultants, suppliers and numerous economic developers who had already visited the booth earlier that day.
“It’s really about building relationships,” Brooks said.
One particularly productive dinner included representatives from five economic development organizations and no private-sector companies.
The group spent two hours discussing how difficult trade shows can be for meeting private-sector companies.
Everyone agreed to stay in touch.
Despite the challenges, Stonebridge officials considered the trip successful.
The team returned with 76 business cards, 34 LinkedIn connections and 18 follow-up items.
Seven follow-up items involve other economic development organizations.
Five involve consultants.
Three involve vendors trying to sell services to Stonebridge.
Two are currently unclear.
One is definitely a company.
“That’s a real lead,” Brooks said.
Staff plan to follow up immediately.
The prospect’s badge identified him as a regional sales manager for an industrial equipment company.
Whether the company is expanding remains unknown.
Still, Brooks is optimistic.
“He talked to us for almost four minutes.”
At press time, the Stonebridge Economic Partnership was preparing an internal trade show report highlighting “exceptional relationship-building activity,” while quietly considering a future booth sign reading IF YOU ARE ALSO IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLEASE BRING A MANUFACTURER WITH YOU.
