One of the biggest questions I get from parents and teachers who are considering becoming a Master IEP Coach® is, “How do I find clients?” And the truth is, there are many ways! But one of my FAVORITE strategies that helped me collect over 5,000 email addresses of parents who needed IEP help and book my calendar solid with paying clients is Resource Fairs.

Attending resource fairs is one of the easiest and most effective ways to connect with families, build relationships, and grow your coaching and IEP advocacy business—all without feeling salesy or pushy. Let’s break down why resource fairs work so well and how you can use this strategy when you decide to become a Master IEP Coach®.

Why Resource Fairs Work for Master IEP Coaches®

Resource fairs bring together families who are actively looking for support. Unlike social media, where you’re hoping the right people see your post at the right time, resource fairs put you face-to-face with parents, educators, and service providers who already care about special education.

Here’s why I love them:

• Genuine Conversations: You’re not cold-selling. You’re having real, helpful conversations with people who need guidance.
  
  
• Built-in Referrals: Many families attend with friends. If one person connects with you, they naturally bring their friends over to meet you.
  
  
• No Pressure: You’re there to help first and foremost, not to push a service. This builds trust and makes future conversations easier.
  
  
• High Visibility: Instead of waiting for someone to find you online, you’re positioning yourself in the center of where families are already gathering for support.
  

How to Find Resource Fairs in Your Area

You might be wondering, Where do I find these events? Here are a few places to look:

• Local School Districts: Many host special education nights or transition fairs for families.
  
  
• Therapy Centers & Clinics: Places offering speech, OT, ABA, and other services often organize resource fairs.
  
  
• Parent Support Groups & Nonprofits: Groups like The Arc, Autism Societies, and local advocacy organizations frequently host events.
  
  
• Hospitals & Medical Centers: Some have events focused on children with disabilities and their families.
  
  
• Community Centers & Libraries: These venues often hold special needs resource fairs or educational expos.

A simple Google search like “special needs resource fair near me” or checking Facebook events can uncover opportunities you didn’t even know existed.

What to Bring to a Resource Fair

Once you’ve signed up, it’s time to prepare! You want to stand out and make it easy for people to remember you. Here’s what to bring:

• A Simple, Eye-Catching Table Setup – You don’t need an expensive banner, but a professional-looking sign with your name and what you do is helpful.

• A Clear Takeaway Item – A handout or brochure that explains what you do and includes your contact info.

• An Email Sign-Up Sheet – The goal is to collect contact information so you can follow up later.

Note: Inside the Master IEP Coach® Mentorship I give you templates and step-by-step outlines for each of these steps!

How to Have Meaningful IEP Conversations (Without Feeling Salesy)

The best part about resource fairs is that you don’t have to sell yourself because parents come looking for you! The conversations happen naturally. Here’s how to make the most of those interactions:

• Start with a Question – Instead of jumping into what you do, ask: “What brought you to the event today?” This opens the door for them to share their concerns.

• Listen First, Then Offer Help – If they mention struggling with IEP meetings, say something like: “I hear that all the time. One thing that really helps is…” and share a quick tip.

• Make It About Them – Instead of pitching your services, offer valuable insights and resources. They’ll remember you as the person who helped them, not the one who tried to sell them something.

• Encourage Them to Stay in Touch – Say, “I’d love to send you a free resource on that. Would you like me to email it to you?” This is an easy way to collect contact info without pressure.
  

What to Do After the Resource Fair

The magic of a resource fair doesn’t stop when the event ends. What you do after is just as important as showing up. Here’s how to make sure your new contacts turn into actual clients:

• Send a Follow-Up Email – Within 48 hours, email everyone who signed up. Keep it simple:
  • Thank them for stopping by.
  • Remind them of the free resource or tip you mentioned.
  • Invite them to connect for a quick chat or follow you on social media

• Build Connection – Keep nurturing those relationships. Send occasional emails with helpful tips, host free Q&A sessions, or invite them to schedule a free 20 minute consult to discuss their concerns.

✨ I give you templates and scripts to help you with each one of these steps when we work together!

You Can’t Just Wing It—You Need a Plan

Here’s the truth: You can’t just slap together a simple IEP checklist, hand it out to parents passing by at your Resource Fair table, and expect to build a sustainable, profitable coaching practice.

If you truly want to serve with excellence and turn your IEP experience into income, you need a strategy to help you connect the pieces and make sure you’re focusing on helping others instead of constantly worrying if you’re “doing it right.”

That’s exactly why you get 1:1 access to me when you decide to become a Master IEP Coach®!

When you join the mentorship, you’ll get the tools, training, and step-by-step guidance to:

• Find and connect with families who need your help.
  
• Confidently navigate the business side of IEP Coaching.
  
• Provide high-value support without burnout.
  
• Create a sustainable, profitable independent IEP Coaching practice.
  

Yes, that’s me from waaay back in the day networking with the table next to me at a Resource Fair.

Just after this picture was taken in 2017, I started mentoring parents and teachers to become Master IEP Coaches®. My calendar was OVERFLOWING with clients from attending events – just like this one, and I had to start turning down families who needed help.

I couldn’t stand saying “no”, so I decided to help more parents and teachers learn how to help parents so they could say YES to helping families and create income for their own family.

There’s nothing more I want than for you to have an overflowing calendar of clients that you’re helping through the IEP process. THIS is how we change Special Education outcomes!

By using collaborative IEP advocacy strategies (I teach them all to you inside the Mentorship) and becoming the idea bringers, solution finders, and team builders at the IEP table!

Ready to start mingling in your community and helping parents through the IEP process?

💡 LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A MASTER IEP COACH®