“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” applies to many facets in marketing and business overall. This is especially true for putting together large events such as trade shows and conferences. The numbers for conference attendees and participants are steadily growing. According to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, industries that saw the most growth include finance, transportation, communication/ IT, and food. This is also in spite of the sluggish economy sectors. If you’re still not convinced on why your company should be participating in your industry shows, here are simple solutions to become more trade show savvy.

• Pre-show Prepping – We recommend creating a separate landing page for your next trade show presence for easier sharing through newsletters and social media. You can use this landing page as an outreach to the other vendors at the show, introducing your team’s presence.
• Learn the Logistics – Conferences and trade shows often go through an entire day, often times being 2-3 days or more. Having a designated staff to coordinate passes, badges, handouts, and booth set ups will avoid any unforeseen mishaps that can happen the day of the show.
• Network Efficiently – Use apps such as CamCard to take photos of business cards from key contacts. Trade shows are notorious for the giveaways and promos, which can be overwhelming for both exhibitors and attendees. Be efficient and smooth about handling your business in increase effectiveness.
• Provide Something Unique – Conferences can be exhausting for visitors. This is your opportunity to stand out from the rest of the crowd with how your booth is set up. Opt out from having a table or set it on the side to increase the flow space in the center of the booth. Add massage chairs or give away refreshments to visitors. Provide an experience and the customer will most likely come back.

We are so used to interacting online and conducting business digitally that we forget the value of a face to face meetings. Trade shows give business owners an insight on what is going on within their industry. They are great marketing and business development opportunities that should be part of any marketing plan. Are you ready to take your trade show booth to the next level? Download our 10 Tips for a Successful Trade Show eBook to learn more strategies and tidbits. Until next time!