5 Trade Show Marketing Methods to Make Your Next Show Better!
Posted by Valerie Hurst on Tue, Aug 16, 2011
"Times have changed, and your trade show compaigns must change in light of today's new business paradigms. . . Think strategic, smart, and above what 95% of exhibitors are now doing. . . Learn how to think intelligently, removing boundaries (real and artificial) that limit continuing success" (Trade Show Bob, Exhibit Thinking 2.0, EXHIBITOR2011).
Many Trade Show Managers work for companies who have exhibited at the same show for a number of years. This show has typically yielded strong leads and enhanced business relationships with new customers and business partners. Perhaps the trade show you exhibit at has been experiencing lower attendence or square footage numbers, resulting in higher costs.
How do we as exhibitors influence this trade show to make the show better so it is more valuable to us? Read these top 5 trade show marketing tips:
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Talk with Show Management or the Organizer Prior to Signing the Booth Space Contract to discuss any current issues you'd like to see changed.
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Join a coalition with other exhibitors to affect change together. It is easier to get the Organizer to change rather than changing the attitudes of thousands of attendees.
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Use past show stats or show stats from shows that have features that you'd like to see adapted, and share with show management (
www.ceir.org or
www.exhibitsurveys.com ). These resources are unbiased and offer a wealth of information, but don't forget to include the information you have obtained through exhibiting in the past, as that is valuable direct data.
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Bring new energy to any trade show you exhibit at by marketing your participation in the show through every available facet. From the Home Page on your Website, social media, newsletter, and employee email signatures, all can obtain positive results.
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Think about New Ways of Doing Things. Evolve and adapt to stand out within your industry, to attract new attendees to the trade show, to be unique within your booth space, and how your market your company.
Every industry requires adapting to new technologies and every exhibitor needs to take a good look at the shows they invest in and have the ability to offer new ideas to help with the longevity of the trade show.
Organizers need Exhibitors -- who need Attendees -- and vice versa. It's the results that each of these points deliver that determines the value of the show.
Does anyone have any advice to share about this topic? About how you have elicited a change with a particular show you exhibit at?
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