Trade shows can generate great revenue and business to your
organization if you choose the right shows to attend, and have an excellent
strategy while at the show. Some people fail miserably when they sign up for
trade shows, because they have no idea what their expectations and goals are.
If planned out correctly, trade shows are a perfect place to meet with vendors,
sponsors, speakers, new prospects and referral sources for your organization.
Below are a few helpful secrets to ensuring your trade show is a success.
SELECT THE
RIGHT EVENT
Most organizations have an internal events staff, or event
planner to help guide them on their yearly Trade
Show Displays journey. It’s
up to that person or team to thoroughly review all trade shows before attending
any. There are lots of aspects of events that should be taken into careful
consideration. For example, you want to attend shows that your customers and
potential prospects (as well as decision makers) will be at. This means you’re
looking at shows in your targeted industry, with the right amount of quality
attendees.
MARKET LIKE A COOL KID
The coolest way to market your organization for trade shows
today is to play it cool. In order to do so, send out details about what your
company is doing at the event, whether it be sponsoring, speaking, or all of
the above, and only target your customers and prospects who NEED these details.
Keep it fun and to the point when communicating with attendees. Use social
media, blogs, and community posts (if there is a forum or community area for
the event) to continue promoting your presence at the event in a unique and
engaging way. Most attendees, if interested, will respond and have questions
about when they can swing by your booth, set up one-on-one meetings, or catch
up with your team at a networking event if you communicate with 10x10
Trade Show Displays the right way.
BE A SHOWSTOPPER
One of the biggest draws to trade show booths
today is the look and feel of the actual booth and space. Sure, everyone has
giveaways and contests nowadays, but most attendees feel bombarded and
overwhelmed with these tactics. Step out of your comfort zone and showcase your
brand and/or products in a unique light. One way to do this is to create an
un-booth for trade shows. If your company sells a particular type of product,
use that to your advantage by coming up with a fun theme that represents your
brand and products in a cool way. The more compelling your space looks and
feels, the more booth traffic you will have.
MAKE THE FIRST MOVE
The most inviting and engaging booth staff are the
ones out in the aisles, in front of their stands saying hello and welcoming
traffic into their space. It’s a huge turnoff when you walk past trade show
booths and the staff are talking to one another, don’t look up, and can’t
answer questions attendees ask. Make sure your event manager sends the RIGHT
staff to man your trade show booth. Everyone at your organization may be a hard
worker, but as we all know trade shows can be very tiring and complex, so you
need your all-stars to man that booth and rock it!
SHARE THE LOVE
By signing up for trade shows, you’re more than likely doing
a sponsorship, speaking session, and finding ways to mingle with your customers
and prospects. Present alongside with partners or customers, and have them
share their story of why they work with you. Don’t make it a selling speech, but
rather a high-level conversation as to what has been working, why it works, and
trends happening in your industry that can speak to this.
IN CONCLUSION
Trade shows can sometimes be hard to plan without
understanding goals and potential long-term success. By using some of these
secrets you will be able to slowly engage with your core audience and determine
which shows make the most sense for your team to attend. Select shows wisely,
spend smartly, and create expectations for all members of your team to ensure
success.
