Simplify Your Trade Show Experience
Planning a trade show exhibit? Aim not only to make a striking first impression on the crowd, but also present a booth/company messaging that will draw people in to learn more.
Messaging is important, not only for the overall feel of what you want to get across to potential clients, but also for your staff, so they know the reason behind attending the trade show. Starting the theme of the show through email blasts and a promotion (raffle, giveaway) and following through with that theme will keep a cohesive form to all your marketing and sales efforts. Make sure you have a presentation for your trade show team that delineates marketing efforts, a schedule of booth personnel and the overall message.
The following are ideas that can help you make every trade show you exhibit at a successful, profitable event.
Market the Message of your Show
Your planning team can collaborate on the overall feel of how you want your booth to look and the reasoning behind attending. Look into the following to make sure everyone is on the same page:
• Email blasts that promote the show, date, your booth number and your special promotion
• Any advertising that show management offers; while some of these get pricey, there are free advertising opportunities such as directory listings (make sure you know the deadline to get your company profile to the show).
o Email blasts/social media that the show sends to their attendee list
o Sponsorships such as coffee breaks during the show, cocktail parties, attendee bags and lanyards (while not free, your company logo will have increased visibility)
• Pre, during and post show Social Media. Using your LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter accounts is a great way to promote your message for free.
• Your team needs to know why they are exhibiting. Set up a Power Point Presentation a week before to go over all pertinent details and answer any questions your staff may have.
Don’t Pay Too Much
- By sticking to a budget for each trade show or booth you coordinate, you should be able to get all the materials you need for your trade show booth design ideas without spending more money than your business can afford. Plan to spend a large portion of your budget in any of these five categories:
• Venue
• Special Attractions
• Program
• Promotions
• Miscellaneous ItemsGet Everything You NeedAs you’re paying the fees and purchasing the supplies to make your trade show booth design ideas a reality, remember to get everything else you need for a successful show. Organize each item into the six categories to help you stay under budget.• Venue Costs: Space rental, furniture rentals, and equipment rentals, such as display screens, microphones, decorations and signage.
• Special Attractions: performer, speaker, celebrities and other offerings.
• Program Costs: Labor, travel and accommodations for your special attraction and staff.
• Promotion Costs: Paid advertising, social media campaigns, web development and special offers or giveaways.
• Miscellaneous Costs: Name tags or badges, printed agendas or programs, stationary and pens or pencils and promotional giveaways.
• Shipping and Drayage: Shipping, storing and moving show materials can add up quickly. Have a budget and keep on top of it constantly.Consider a Trade Show Solutions Company
Trade shows can become costly really quickly. Between advertising, travel, printing and shipping costs, trade shows are an investment from which you will see return, if you have budgeted correctly. There are companies, such as Trans-Exhibit Solutions, that offer an answer for businesses that want visibility at shows and events, but may have a stricter budget, or space to store large banners and booths.Benefits of Renting
• Screens, projectors and displays
Tables, counters display cases and other materials
• Cameras, lighting and sound
• Signage and banner frames
• Walls, doors and shelving
• Booth frames for your already printed graphics
A trade show solutions company also provides trend-setting exhibit designs that drive traffic to your booth. To learn more about trade show solutions offering, visit: http://www.transitair.com/services/trans-exhibit-solutions
Trades shows are an exciting way for business to reach many potential clients at once. They can get unwieldy, but by adhering to the above ideas you can streamline your overall exhibit presentation, so your business will see the return on investment.
