Simple Guide to Trade Show Exhibits

Designing a trade show exhibit to meet the unique needs of your business takes time and planning. You need to understand your target audience, who you want to attract to your booth as well as what type of events you will be attending. To find shows in your industry by region and date, check out our event global tradeshow calendar and start your research today.

Consider the following as you’re creating your trade show exhibit:

1.     Who is your target audience? Often companies create a marketing plan without taking into consideration who their target clients are. They are solely focused on getting their product or service to the marketplace. You have to know who you want to visit your booth so you cancreate a booth that attracts them.

2.     What is your trade show goal? You may be introducing a new product or collecting a list of prospects interested in your service. You may be providing information to a community or building brand awareness. Depending on your goal, your trade show exhibit design may be different.

3.     At which trade shows are you an exhibitor? Now that you have defined your target audience and goal, it’s time to select trade shows that help you meet the right people.

4.     What kind of trade show exhibit giveaway do you want? That depends on who your target audience is. For example, if the target audience is business travelers, you would provide luggage tags, tips for packing light and gift cards to nationally known restaurants or coffee shops. A bad giveaway for business travelers would be gift cards to local or regional businesses.

5.     Who is staffing your trade show booth? No matter who your target audience or industry, you want booth staffers who are engaged and engaging. Don’t bring the shyest person at the office and expect them to meet and greet attendees; it’s likely not to happen. Bring the high energy extroverts to staff the booth.

Whether you’re a seasoned trade show exhibitor or are creating your first trade show exhibit, it’s important to plan what you need to meet your goals. The team at EXHIB-IT! can help you through that process. Contact us today to learn more.

To learn more, check out our online white papers or attend our upcoming Free Tradeshow Training Webinar series in 2014.

Trade Show Booth Ideas for Your Next Show

The first trade show can be the most nerve-wracking. Relax, learn and plan before you even hit the trade show floor with these trade show booth ideas:

1.    Forget the table. It blocks you from meeting attendees. They are more likely to pass you by for the competition. Rather than standing behind a table, assign a booth greeter to stand to the side or in front welcoming visitors with a smile. Remember, it is all about the face-to-face relationship.

2.    It’s a Game. Gather leads when you ask attendees to drop a business card in a fishbowl or capture leads electronically when they sign up on an iPad App for a chance to win a prize. You could also have a wheel to spin to engage attendees for prizes. Make the prizes relevant to your brand, audience and trade show.

3.    Clutter Free. Don’t clog your booth with too much information. It’s overwhelming for visitors. Be sure your logo is prominent in the trade show display and focus on one product or service.

4.    Know the Neighborhood. Prior to arrival, you will receive information about where your booth is located, as well as where other vendors are located and whether or not you’re in a high traffic area. Make adjustments to the trade show booth design and marketing strategy before you arrive so you’re not scrambling to make changes as attendees are coming through the trade show doors.

5.    Social Media: Build buzz for your business and the event when you promote the trade show on social media. Use the event hashtag and create engaging conversation with vendors and attendees before you even arrive.

It takes a bit of planning for any trade show. Think about who you want to meet and how you can attract them to visit your booth. When you arrive, get to know the vendors around you, smile and have a great time!

If you are a constant learner, be sure to check out our Free Tradeshow Training Webinars for 2014 from my book The NOISE Behind Business – How to Make Tradeshows Work!

Original Blog

Consider Eco-Friendly Displays for Your Next Trade Show Purchase

In today’s world, everyone seems to be focused on the economy, often forgetting about the environment. At EXHIB-IT!, we understand that we have to be green while we’re making the green, and so do you. We believe in doing our part to help you decrease your carbon footprint and are pleased to offer you eco-friendly displays for your trade show needs.

Everyone is raising costs on everyday items. From airlines charging for baggage to a gallon of milk, we’re paying more for goods and services. If you’re already paying for portabletrade show displays, consider eco-friendly displays for your next trade show purchase and here are some reasons why:

• Reduce the paper used for marketing materials when you opt for eco workstations. Not only is it an environmentally friendly option, it saves shipping costs and attracts visitors to your booth. Provide an iPad to show attendees your product, a social media check-in station, or an on-site ordering area right from the trade show floor.
• Replace giveaways with green eco swag that won’t get tossed in the trash. Rather than a calendar that will get tossed away, give attendees eco-friendly water bottles and bamboo cooking utensils with your company logo. Provide swag bags made of recycled materials rather than a synthetic material.
• Provide an app or other e-media explaining your product or service. This replaces paper handouts, saving the cost of paper and shipping while also doing your part to save a tree or two.
• Make “eco-friendly” part of your business brand. If you must have printed marketing, use eco-friendly materials such as recycled paper and soy-based ink.

Eco-friendly displays offer the same quality and functionality as their counterparts. Our Green Pop Up Displays, for example, are made of 100%