What is a trade show event? A trade show event is where a certain industry puts together and event to promote or sell a certain product or raise awareness for something in that particular field. If you are planning a trade show event, there are a few questions you can ask yourself.
#1: What are our goals?
When planning a trade show event, you will want to start off my creating a list of goals for your company. Whether you are hosting the whole event in a large city like Los Angeles or New York city over the course of several days, or maybe you are simply attending the event, you will want to make sure you have written down your desired goals for your company.
Here are some goals you might want to consider:
- What will we promote?
- What will we be selling?
- How many possible clients can we reach?
- How many emails can we add to our contact list?
- What will our booth set up look like?
- Are there free promotion pieces we can give out?
#2: What will our company presence be at this event?
If you have a desire in planning a successful trade show event, you will need to decide what your company presence will have at this event. Will you be hosting a booth? What will the booth look like? Will you hire a designer to allow your business to stand out above the rest?
If you are simply attending the show, make sure to check with the host of the event to see what limitations are set for all the vendors. Some trade show events only allow products on assigned white table linen. Other trade show events allow companies to bring in entire pre-built structures to market their company.
If a table is the only thing allowed, you will not want to waste money on things you cannot use. If huge LED screens and creative sets are allowed, you will not want to have your company look less than by simply being unprepared.
Here are some questions to help get your creative juices flowing!
- Can we utilize some electronic screens to show videos and pictures of our company?
- What give aways can we have available to raise interest in our booth?
- Are we able to do a raffle prize to raise engagement?
- What hands-on activity can we have available at our booth?
- How can attendees easily give us their information (iPad, QR code, etc.)
#3: How will we promote this event?
Never just show up to an event. Take full advantage of any trade show event you attend. If you are planning a trade show event, you will need to promote like crazy! So look at your connections, gain some more, and keep them informed. Here are some ways you can promote your event.
Email is not a jazzy as social media or things like that, but email is the one thing that goes directly to people’s mailboxes (hopefully, you’re not in their spam!). Send some generic emails and send some that are made beautiful through MailChimp. You don’t want to overdo it so people unsubscribe from you; however, sending out strategic emails can be very helpful.
Social Media
If you’re not on social media, get on social media! Have all your friends follow your business or company. When you are planning a trade show event, make sure to let your social followings know about it! Do a countdown. Share a post. Get people excited!
Flyers
Mailed flyers can be very outdated. However, sometimes people will see something in print form and be intrigued, especially if they don’t receive much mail anymore. Make sure it is bright and clear and points people to your website
Website
Make sure when you are planning a trade show event that your website clearly articulates the details of this event. All your marketing materials can point people back to your site and allow them to get all the needed information in one spot. Make sure your site is clear and updated. Nothing like old and dated information on a website.
#4: What will be a success at the event?
When you are planning a trade show event, make sure to label what would make it a success. When the big day actually arrives, get ready to meet new people, connect with other businesses, and possibly sell your product. Don’t use all your energy in the preparation that you are metaphorically missing on the day of the event.
Remind yourself of the goals you set at the beginning of this process and figure out how to make those goals possible. Set a goal of how many people you will talk to at this event. Set a goal for how many each of your employees or team members will talk to at this event. DO NOT LET YOUR TEAM JUST SIT AT A TABLE. Be engaged! Walk around. Meet other businesses. Meet new customers. Be present in the day!
We hope this article helps you in planning a trade show event. Here is another great article with a complete checklist for how to plan a successful trade show event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a trade show event?
A: A trade show event is where a certain industry puts together and event to promote or sell a certain product or raise awareness for something in that particular field.
Q: How do you host a trade show event?
A: There are many different ways to host a trade show event. Check out the checklist in the article provided above for complete details. However, here are a few things you will need to do to get started: book the venue, invite other businesses, promote the event, and enjoy the ride!
Q: What kind of venue do I need to host a trade show event?
A: The venue will depend on what type of trade show event you are planning as well as how many people will be in attendance. You may be looking for a large convention center for thousands of people. If you are looking for a smaller indoor space, you may want to check out a venue for a couple hundred people.