I attended a trade show this past week and have spent a lot of time setting up trade shows in the Tri-State area. Here’s what I have observed that can help you make the most of your trade show experience.
1.
Skip the big table in your booth. Make space for you to
interact and engage with your audience without a barrier in between you. Use
a podium, coffee table, or turn the table sideways so people can enter your
space.
2.
Do something fun to engage people passing by. My booth
personally had a sleight-of-hand magician and the booth next door in Atlantic
City had a 15′ inflatable dog for a vet clinic. Make stopping by your booth
memorable.
3.
Look Up. Sometimes it is just that easy. You know the
expression- “If I had a nickel for every time I saw this I’d be
rich?” Well if I had a nickel for every time I watch someone walk by a
booth because the person working the booth has their face down looking at
their phone I would be on a tropical island. You paid or are being paid to be
there. Be present.
4.
Don’t be a lead vulture. Two years in a row I have had an
attendee in a similar field attend the expo but not get a booth. For two
years they stood in front of my booth and approached anyone that came or went
from my booth to talk to them about their services. The first year I was just
floored at the rudeness. This year I asked them if they had other booths to
visit rather directly. If you see the importance of connecting GET YOUR OWN
BOOTH. (The “How Rude”)
5.
Get creative. Sponsoring coffee is a sure-fire way to meet
every one attending- even the other vendors! At the East Coast Vet Expo in
Atlantic City they even have a sponsored dog park for attending dogs to do
their “business”. Find a way to stand out from the crowd and
provide a needed service.
Don’t pay the fee and just expect leads. Know what you want to promote, how you plan to achieve those goals, and what you will consider successful. Need ideas? Call the Fun-Nominal Team and we would lo brainstorm ideas for your next trade show event.
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