Smash Hit Displays

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Trade Show Planning Tips

Joyce Hansen

The Brampton News

You may decide that it is time to participate in trade shows so you hop on the telephone and book a show that you heard about last month. You then pride yourself on the fact that you have done something about it and put further planning out of your mind. You stick up the booth that has been in the storage room for years and send an e-mail to your staff to let them know to show up at a particular place and time. The staff show up with reluctance, act disinterested for the duration of the show and pack up before the show has ended. You end up at the office after the show with a handful of useful leads that no one is accountable for to follow-up on. Does this resonate with anyone? Take time to think about whether trade show participation is for you and be prepared to spend time thoroughly researching and planning before you take the plunge.

If you don't plan thoroughly and properly, you could be throwing money out the window. Trade Show Tips Pre-Show Promotions Complimentary invitations to the trade show are good to include with pre-show mailers. Include the invitations with your invoices and every communication that goes out to attract attendees to visit your booth. Many organizers arrange promotion flyers in media supplements. Find out how you can get your name included, besides being listed as an exhibitor. Offer to be a keynote or workshop presenter. At the end of your presentation, let the audience know your booth number and invite them to visit your booth to discuss their needs in private.

Contests Offer the hottest technology toy or latest golf putter to get people to come to your booth to enter a draw. They are also great ice breakers to start a conversation. Everyone is keen on learning about the latest gadget on the market and you can then turn the conversation gently into what you are offering that is the latest and greatest. Internet Most trade show organizers have a list of exhibitors on their show web site. Ask for a link to your home web page and make sure your web site has a link to activities that you are participating in. Attendees may not be able to make the Toronto show, but they may be in Montreal when you are participating in another show. Direct Mail Include a show special offer with your direct mailings, along with a complimentary pass. Extend a different offer to those who cannot attend the show such as an open house to demonstrate a new product. Some people prefer settings, other than trade shows, to view your products and services. Offer prospects a number of alternatives to do business with you in the style that fits their schedule. All pre-show promotions should entice the prospect to do business with you, whether they attend the trade show or not. Trade Show Tips At Show Promotions The most successful trade show booths typical include demonstrations.

Buyers visit trade shows to see products in action. Useful giveaways create a lasting impression. Yardsticks stick in my mind hard to find in stores and have a varied and long lasting use and are visible when people are carrying them around at the show. Have your booth number printed on the yardstick people always want to know where you got the giveaway. A great way to get people talking about your company. Don't get carried away with giveaways. You don't want people only coming to your booth to get a free gift.You want your sales staff trained to engage the prospect into a conversation that leads to information being exchanged for follow-up after the show. Ensure you have the right staff in the booth who are knowledgeable and have the customer service attitude. Booth babes don't cut it any more. People have a no-nonsense, get to the point attitude and want to know the facts about what you have to offer. Trade Show Tips After The Show After the show follow-up plans are essential.

Statistics reveal that approximately 57% of the visitors will make a purchasing decision after visiting a trade show within the next twelve months. How are you going to make sure they purchase what you have to offer? Tracking leads from the show on a sales database such as ACT, is invaluable. A lead tracking system allows you to identify where the lead came from, what action you took after the show and the result of the lead. Tracking is the only way to truly know whether the show investment is really paying off. Initiate contact no longer than 7 days after the show. Beyond that prospects will already forget about visiting your booth unless they have an immediate need for your product or service.

Trade Show Savvy Trade show attendees are educated and sophisticated and are looking for innovations to make their lives easier and more productive. Before you ever think of entering the trade show arena, be prepared. It takes a lot of planning before the show, at the show and after the show but it is truly worth the effort from all angles.Show your prospects that you have the savvy to understand their needs and provide a variety of solutions for them to implement when they return to their place of business. Long lasting business and personal relationships have been formed from meeting at a trade show and the benefits gained from the connections made usually far outweigh the investment of time and money expended.

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Smash Hit Displays was formed in 2003 and offers portable show exhibits at wholesale pricing while at the same time offering unparalleled service. We specialize in exhibits and keep our prices low by low overhead. Our products are trade show exhibits; however, our main goal is to help you create successful show. More About Smash Hit Displays...

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Give Smash Hit Displays a call at 1-800-762-9854 to discuss trade show displays, exhibits, flooring and booths. Our knowledgeable customer service staff can help you plan your trade show display. You may send an email to our sales staff or through our Contact Us page and they will answer any questions you may have about exhibits.

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