13 Tips for a Successful Trade Show

Posted in Trade Show Tips for Success by Emilie Barta
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Tagged as: Emilie Barta, Lead Generation, Pre-Show Marketing, Save Money at a Trade Show, Successful Trade Show, Trade Show, Trade Show Attendees, Trade Show Exhibitors, Trade Show Tips for Success, Tradeshow
Comments
  • Fuad:

    Thanks a lot. I was searching for the trade show presentation for last few days…a few found but those was not what i’m looking for. :)

    Cheers
    Fuad

    [Reply]

    Emilie Barta Reply:
    August 12th, 2009 at 6:28 pm

    I am so happy that this article helped you, Faud!!

    [Reply]

    Reply August 2, 2009 at 2:54 am
  • Gregg Tobo:

    This is good solid advice. I’m amazed at the number of times I find booths staffed by people who look like they’re serving out a punishment.

    If you’re going to invest in a booth, plan ahead so you have at strategy for how you’re going to use the booth, and get top-quality people to represent you.

    [Reply]

    Emilie Barta Reply:
    August 12th, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    As someone who loves trade shows, it bothers me to see the type of employee that you mention, Gregg. Why would a trade show manager or marketing department spend the $$ on an event and then staff the booth with people who do not take advantage of it?

    Thank you for your comment!!

    [Reply]

    Reply August 4, 2009 at 4:47 pm
  • Holly:

    Thanks! I wanted to share just this type information with some “newbies” at an upcoming important show – now I don’t have to draft a memo. I can just share this with them!

    [Reply]

    Emilie Barta Reply:
    August 12th, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    I am so happy you will be sharing this info with your “newbies,” Holly…please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help!!

    [Reply]

    Reply August 4, 2009 at 5:20 pm
  • Jason Kallio:

    As a trade show strategist, I agree with your top notch advice. Now the key is for leadership to recognize that trade shows are a valuable marketing tool, and task management with executing a strategy.

    [Reply]

    Emilie Barta Reply:
    August 12th, 2009 at 7:10 pm

    I think that all of us that recognize the value of trade shows have the same struggle…proving to the non-believers that trade shows are the most effective use of marketing dollars and the most cost-effective way to reach a large number of prospects in a short amount of time.

    Thanks for your comment, Jason!!

    [Reply]

    Reply August 4, 2009 at 6:07 pm
  • Colin Green:

    There is much truth here. I train exhibitors for both trade and consumer shows and “SMILE” is surely my latest mantra. I almost get scared walking the aisles of scowling exhibitors at most shows of late!

    Pre-Show promotion is usefully considered to be a two-stage process. It should really be front of mind when doing ALL promotion in any media year-round. To consider when we’ll actually meet the people we are targetting and get them – and us – mentally primed. This way we integrate all of our marketing and the benefits are substantial when we meet on the show floor. In fact this ensures that we DO meet on the show floor. I have written an eBook on this and it is at http://www.bestofshow.com

    The second part is what we generally accept as being “Pre-Show Promotion”. That is, what we actually do FOR the specific show. The normal stuff such as advertising, sponsorships, direct mail and the like is important. But there is more too that is less obvious and that also blends into “at show promotion”. Examples are securing speaking slots and using Show Organizer media contacts to secure editorial and PR. I plan of doing a book on this too. One thing at a time!

    Keep those ideas coming!

    Colin

    [Reply]

    Emilie Barta Reply:
    August 27th, 2009 at 8:20 pm

    I agree with everything you said, Colin. Even after being in the trade show business for 11 years, I still am amazed when exhibitors don’t take the trade show seriously, don’t do the necessary pre- and at- show promotion, and don’t act like they want to meet potential customers!

    Thanks for commenting, Colin!!

    [Reply]

    Reply August 4, 2009 at 7:04 pm
  • Jack:

    I agree that you cannot just stand there waiting for people to come up to you. When I was in the property and casualty insurance business we used to ask people walking by our booth if they wanted to save money on their auto and homeowners insurance. Then we would set up an appointment or take contact information for a follow up appointment. We would also offer a drawing for something, this gave us the names, addresses, and telephone numbers for those who participated in the drawing.

    [Reply]

    Emilie Barta Reply:
    August 12th, 2009 at 7:14 pm

    Unfortunately too many exhibitors do nothing before a trade show or even during a trade show to attract traffic to their booth. Attendees are often overwhelmed by a trade show or pressed for time, so they are not going to approach a booth that does nothing to get their attention. It is so good to hear that your company was proactive in their trade show strategy!

    Thank you for your comment, Jack!!

    [Reply]

    Reply August 4, 2009 at 10:39 pm
  • Jan Morse:

    This is great, solid advice. The suggestions seem so obvious, but I notice often that they are not utilized.

    [Reply]

    Emilie Barta Reply:
    August 12th, 2009 at 7:18 pm

    Thank you for the compliment, Jan!!

    Unfortunately I notice bad booth strategy and bad booth behavior more often than not. Hopefully more exhibitors will start to realize that it is the little things that make a big impression!

    [Reply]

    Reply August 7, 2009 at 10:54 pm
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