The Essential, Must-Have Checklist: Your Pre-Trade Show Planning Guide
Whether you are a first time or veteran trade show vendor our newest blog series is just for you!
Our team of experts here at Future Print has compiled a list of our top 10 tips to increase your trade show success.
1. Location, Location, Location!
Like real estate, the location of the booth you choose is essential to your success in the show. Look at a map of the tradeshow booths and consider choosing a corner spot – They tend to be larger with more room to display your products/information and they have traffic passing from both directions.
Corner booth rentals may be pricier but well worth it. In addition, look for booth rentals in high traffic areas such as food service or near restrooms, or conference rooms. Most convention centres or larger trade show hosts will provide a digital version of a layout map.
2. Become an Expert
Research the trade show, location and city to give yourself an upper hand. Take a look at past numbers of attendees, details about the venue or location within the city. Setting out these details before you walk out the door will keep your organized, on schedule and will ensure you have enough necessary equipment (see #5!).
3. Get Familiar
Many trade shows have rules and regulations that must be followed by every vendor. Most venues or organizers have specific things they do not allow because of city bylaws, insurance regulations or safety concerns. As an example, some events do not allow food samples to be given without a permit or open flamed candles to be burned due to safety concerns. Knowing the rules and regulations inside and out will make you an ideal vendor and help you to think of creative strategies within the guidelines.
4. Figure Out Your Goal for The Event
Do you want to gain leads? Sell products? Or get your name out there? Figuring out your end-goal will help you to plan a strategy to get there.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What’s the previous number of attendees
- Will I be able to manage the booth alone?
- Do I have enough products to sell?
- Have I set up a way to collect lead information in order to meet my goals?
5. Make a Clear List of Equipment
Some events provide tables and chairs and some require you to supply your own. Many trade show companies will rent and deliver all of the equipment that you will need – right down to the carpets and computer monitors – be sure to seek out a company in the area of the tradeshow rather than having to travel a long distance with equipment. Reach out to these companies early so that you have time to price compare and plan for delivery.
If you are selling products, do you have enough in your current stock to service the size of the tradeshow? You will also need businesses branded materials including business cards, flyers and even bags for your customers (TIP: you can even get coloured paper bags with your logo printed or stamped on them).
6. Check out the Event Timeline.
Is there an opportunity before or after the show to network with other vendors and attendees? Will there be keynote speaking or after-hours conferences? Ensure you have time to take in all events and opportunities to network and cross-promote your business or service to other vendors.
7. Promotion
This is a very large part of the success of your show, and should be thought out well in advance. This would cover how you will promote your business before, during and after the show. (See #8). Some events have grab bags available for all guests or the first 100,200, etc. When you are attending a trade show, consider including a sample of your product, a business card or a coupon for your services to encourage repeat customers.
8. Build Your Network
Start connecting with other presenters and possible attendees on your business Facebook page, LinkedIn or any other social media platforms that you are on leading up to the event.
It's important to announce your attendance at particular events on all social media platforms and company newsletters.
Cross promoting other vendor's products or services online is a great way to gain ground with others and get some exposure for your business as well.
9. Contact Information is Key
Ensure your contact information is easily accessible to any attendee at the event. You don't want to lose out on a potential client or sale because the attendee has no easy way of contacting you.
Do you have enough Business cards? We will be covering unique ways to get your information to tradeshow consumers in our upcoming blog titled, BullsEye Branding – So stay tuned for those eye-catching ideas.
10. Prepare for Follow -Up
At your upcoming tradeshow you are likely going to gain a lot of valuable leads. The fortune is in the follow up for business owners. How will you capture these leads? How will you sort and quantify them? This is the primary reason for attending a tradeshow, so be sure to put thought into lead tracking. Be prepared beforehand with a unique and simple system. Follow up at regular intervals in a consistent manner. We will touch base on this topic again in our upcoming Bulls-Eye Branding blog.
Stay tuned for ideas and tips for lead management.
Tradeshows are a valuable investment for any business regardless of industry.
Being ultra prepared will make the show go smoothly & drive your business to success.
To ensure that you have all your bases covered, check back with us again on the next round of blogs, where we will go into more detail on every aspect of planning your successful tradeshow!
Are you planning on putting a booth into a trade show this fall here in Saskatchewan?
