Tips for Trade Show Exhibitors

We know that our customers who purchase our promotional products often use them for trade shows and expos. Promotional gifts and branded merchandise are an excellent way for booth exhibitors to stand out in the crowd and be remembered. Here are some other tips for exhibitors to have a successful trade show experience:

1. Set Goals: When you list your goals and objectives, it is easier to keep your “eye on the prize” and focus on ways to achieve those goals without getting distracted.
2. Plan Ahead and Register Early: “The early bird gets the worm” is true for trade shows too. Get the premium spaces when you sign up early. Many trade shows also have early registration discounts.
3. Get to Know the Trade Show Staff: Being nice gets you much farther along than not.
4. Arrive Early: This allows you to get set up on days where the labour costs are less than the weekend or during premium times.
5. Be Prepared: Get your booth measurements ahead of time so that you can be sure that your booth, display, and flooring will work in the space. Keep a trade show checklist and timeline handy so that you can make sure that everything is ready to go and organized.
6. Conduct a Dry Run: In some cases a dry run is very helpful. At the very least, have a schedule laid out for events, employee work times, and any other notable things that should be listed.
7. Advertise to Your Customers: Make sure that your customers or potential customers know you will be at the trade show, conference, or expo. In your advertising and marketing plans, make sure to add in some efforts for advertising at the trade show, directing people to your booth and letting them know where you are and what you do.
8. Get Familiar with the City: Map out the route from your hotel to the building where your trade show is. Also familiarise yourself with the surrounding community and businesses you might need such as restaurants, groceries, and office supply stores.
9. Focus on Continuity: Have a team meeting before and during the trade show to make sure that everyone is communicating the same, cohesive message.
10. Start Planning for AFTER the Trade Show Ends: Make sure that planning for follow up after the trade show, conference, or expo is over is just as important and detailed as your plans leading up to the event. Plan out follow up calls and marketing efforts. Also, immediately after the trade show concludes is the best time to list what went right and what went wrong so that you can be better prepared for the next go round.