Trade shows present the opportunities for business people to reconnect with existing customers, make new potential customers, get to know the latest updates ad trend and also keep up with their competition.
Planning a successful trade show will require significant creativity, organisational skills and resilience. Most businesses measure the success of a trade show by the number of opportunities, leads and return on investment that comes out of the event. Still, ultimately, the effort you put into the trade show will determine its success rate.
Plan the trade show far in advance
Planning in advanced is the most important thing, and frankly the most obvious before a trade show. You need to plan way ahead of the scheduled time to give you leeway for any changes in case you need to make them.
You also want enough time for attendees to book all flights and secure the rooms before announcing the trade show and its location. This gives time for pre-show campaign planning and launching a new product before the trade show. It also provides everyone to prepare for the trade show.
Use social media for advertisement
Ask you social media manager to create a trendy and catchy advertisement about the trade show. Let them know some of the important details of the trade show like the location, the special guest and agenda for the day.
The event organiser should repost and share the event advertisement to their followers. Make sure you post and advertise the exhibitions, behind the senses, product and services, useful insights and the agenda.
Pre-show booth meetings
Some of the most successful trade shows have re-scheduled booth meetings with their partners, customers and prospects. Create and share a calendar to give the team more visuals on the booth and schedule an arrangement so they can visualise what will be available during the trade show.
Promotion materials, giveaways, stand demonstrations and more.
There is probably going to be a lot happening at the trade show. You want to ensure your attendees have a reason to visit all the stands on the trade show.
Promote giveaways
Many exhibitors often have free giveaways like water bottles, sunglasses, and other small items for potential clients. Giveaways are good, but those are the actual things that the audience will hold valuable.
You also want to give them an item that will always remind them of your brand every time they use it, something that will last with them for a while.
Celebrity and inspirational guest speakers
Many people are only willing to attend a trade show arranged by companies and organisations or people they are familiar with or have heard of. Celebrity and motivational guest speakers will do a lot in marketing the trade show. More people will want to attend the event if they hear a big league will be giving an inspirational speech.
Competitions
Who does not like to feel like a winner? Competitions are a great lure for attendees. People will appreciate the chance to win something worthwhile during the trade show. Unlike in the past, a simple win like a coffee cup will not do you any good. Giving the clients a percentage of other product, or even free product will lure more people to the trade shows. Ask different booths to set up a wheel of fortune and other competitive games to lure in more clients into the trade show.
On stand demonstrations
This works well for vendors or booths that offer services more than products, or people who have products that can be used for demonstrations. Platform demonstrations will not only help people learn how to use the products and services on the stand but can also do a lot of good in bringing more clients to the trade show.
Give away Useful content
During planning, ensure you create handy content that includes the reports, factsheets and content on the companies at the trade show. This is a great way to get more people interested in the companies hosting the trade show.
Here is how to display a successful trade show for beginners-Trade show booth success tips
Print pull up burners and pop up displays for your show.
Most people are attracted to the most good looking and informational booths. Bright colours and plenty of design efforts will attract more clients to your booth, but they are only a small part of the solution. Company pop-up displays and banners are affordable and an effective way to display the company’s information on the trade show.
Get a nice location for the booth
Location is a vital part of the show. Many companies and organisations will be at the show, trying to advertise their products and services. Inevitably, some booths will be over powered location wise. Ensure you get a good spot even if it means paying extra charge for a VIP location. This will allow you to speak to and interact with more potential clients.
Make the booth more approachable
Coach the team to look more positive and be more helpful to people passing by to attract more people and for a more positive review. Create some sort for print information like a brochure or flyers for the customers; always have them ready when a new client arrives.
Join the after-show activities
The main aim of the trade show is to get companies, corporations, investors and other business people to interact with each other and their products. After the show, people get a chance to speak to investors, the competition and their prospective partners. This will be the perfect opportunity for networking. Talk to as many people as you can, creating business connections and network. Do not forget to exchange business cards. Make sure you schedule a debrief with the teams after the trade shows.
Final word
Trade shows offer a chance for potential clients, business people, investors and companies to meet. One of the main benefits of trade shows is that buyers attend to get all the information they need about the companies on display. The only thing you have to look out for is the competition.
