To plan a successful trade show, you must be organized and creative about your exhibit. Trade shows are a fantastic way of gaining leads and returns on investments, and it’s important to prepare carefully for any event you’re attending.
Having an exhibit or a stall at a trade show can be a fabulous investment for businesses so check out these three handy tips for your next show to help you stand out from the crowd and get the results that you want from the whole event.
Prepare your staff
The staff that you are taking to the trade show or exhibition are literally going to be the face of your company, so it is essential to prepare them ready for the event.
Show them how to capture the attention of people walking past and what to do when they have caught their attention and how to land a sale. You should also have members of staff dedicated to keeping your exhibit up to date and ironing out any problems that may come up.
Another good way of enhancing your exhibit is by setting out a dress policy for your team. If you have a work uniform, make sure everyone is wearing it to the very highest standards.
If you do not usually have a uniform, consider buying branded t-shirts to advertise your company with pride.
Hand out free merchandise
Nobody can turn down something for nothing, and if you are giving away something for free at your exhibit, you are bound to have a stream of visitors heading to your stand.
Find a supplier that will do you a good deal on large purchases of merchandise such as keychains, pens, mugs, and lanyards to give out to your customers and other interested parties. Click here to find out more about suppliers.
You may also want to consider providing refreshments at your stall to entice people in.
Finger foods and canapes such as cookies and chips are a great example.
Don’t forget to have coffee and tea available, and a supply of cold (non-alcoholic!) drinks, so people hang around even longer!
Create a buzz on social media
Social media is your best friend when it comes to trade shows because you can use it to create a buzz prior to, during, and after the trade show. Here are some ideas to consider:
- Publish a blog post detailing what the trade show or exhibition is for, where it is, and where to find your stall so that people can come and see you.
- Take pictures during the exhibition to upload to your social media accounts and allow people who couldn’t get there to keep up with the event as it happens. Instagram stories are excellent for doing this, or branch out and do a Facebook live!
All in all a trade show should be both a useful and fun event for you and your business, so remember to have fun, create some leads, and show off the business that you’ve worked hard to build!
