If you are looking for a way to really make your business shine towards the end of the year, one thing which could work really amazingly would be to exhibit at a trade show. Trade shows are held all over the world throughout the year and they can be a wonderful way for a company to network, spread their message and gain some exposure in the wider world. If you want to take part in a trade show yourself this year or next, here are some tips to help you make the most of the experience.
Choose the best trade show
It is super important when it comes to trade shows that you choose the right one to join. There are hundreds of trade shows held every year and each one caters for a different niche. For example if you are a kitchen or bathroom brand then KBB in Birmingham, UK is the best place to be. If you are a pet brand, Zoomark in Germany is a great choice… it is important that you take your time choosing a trade show and also take your budget into account because it can cost a lot of money to rent a space for your booth.
Plan your travel
Travel is going to be a big part of your trade show experience, and this will especially apply if you decide to attend a show which is in a different country. If so, make sure to arrive at least a day in advance so that you have ample time to set up your stand, decorate and make sure that everything is in place to make a good impression on the day. Bring the most confident people you can with you because you will be spending the next few days talking to A LOT of strangers!
Prepare in advance
Running a trade show booth is more than standing in a hall and speaking to customers and businesses, you will have the responsibility of designing the booth, designing any marketing material you will give out, deciding on freebies… and then you will need to transport everything to the venue and build your stand ready for the days ahead. It is important to come up with a to do list way in advance and give different members of your team different tasks to complete. Be sure to cross things off when they are done so you can be sure that you know what you are doing.
Plan meetings
A lot of the time as a seller when we exhibit at trade shows we are looking for collaborations with other brands or we want to make more sales to buyers and distributors. A great idea would be to email and telephone some of your prospective buyers a week or so before the event and see if they are attending. If so, make sure that you arrange a meeting with them during the event and this will allow you to chat about your new products and sell off your older ones for a lower bulk price to the right person. It can be a lucrative affair so be sure to make the most of every second you are in that hall.
Design to impress
The biggest way you will make an impression on your customers and other businesses at a trade show is to have a great booth. Your booth displays are a huge part of standing out in the crowd and they can be something which makes people remember you long after the event is over. Be sure to be bold with your design and choose bright colours, to outside the norm and make your own little world which people can step into during the day. For example if you are a travel agent a fun idea would be a make an indoor beach with a ‘cocktail bar’ (non alcoholic) to draw people in and tell them about your all inclusive beach getaways. Think outside the box and stay true to your brand, and this will allow you to make a wonderful first impression with visitors.