A Closer Look: Trade Show Events

By Dean Schwartz (SWAG Master): Trade shows are great opportunities for promotion. And the trade show market is huge. According to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), trade shows contribute more than $80 billion annually to the U.S. gross domestic product. Furthermore, CEIR projects trade show revenue to grow over the next two years. That is a whole lot of potential new business!

But just like anything else in business, you are going to want to be prepared to maximize your return on investment. It is easy to get lost in the excitement at any given trade show, so make sure your brand stands out in the crowd. Here are three tips to make your next trade show a success.

3 Trade Show Tips

1. Get started before the event

With all the hustle and bustle at trade shows, it can be hard to grab prospects’ attention. So grab their attention before the event even starts. Pre-show promises are a great way to get your clients excited about visiting you at the trade show. For example, one agency mails out one sock to targeted clients and prospects before the show. The promise is they will get the matching sock when they come to their booth. Promises of giveaways and games are also effective means of having your clients seek you out. Get creative!

2. Quality over quantity

Promotional products are essential to any trade show. Sure you can get a lot of t-shirts, post-it pads and pens for cheap, but no one wants that. Or maybe they do? What if the pens light up? Or maybe your t-shirts are made out of premium fabric? The point is that even traditionally “boring” promotional items can be attractive if you focus on quality and hook into a good message. Your promotional products are a reflection of your brand, so make sure it is high quality.

3. Do NOT forget the booth

First impressions are everything. An attractive booth will not only help draw people in, it will help give them a positive experience while they are there. Your booth is microenvironment where you will be attempting to bring prospects along in the sales cycle. So you want your booth to be inviting, eye-catching, and tied to your brand or message. See how SOBO has helped our clients with their trade show booths in this case study.

Give SOBO a call to help you and your team apply these tips for your next trade show. Call 888.752.0432 to talk with your very own SWAG specialist. SWAG with style!