Some of the most successful tactics used by auto trade show exhibitors are auto tradeshow giveaways, solid car trade shows advertising and diligent follow-up techniques that lead to car trade show sales. Understand car trade show marketing to increase auto trade show booth traffic, increase sales and generate a high interest in your business.

Utilize car tradeshow promotions and be diligent with auto tradeshow follow-up calls, emails, thank you letters and newsletters to increase success for the next year. To compile a successful car tradeshow marketing plan, you should:

1. Consider the auto trade shows advertising options you have and will utilize.

2. Plan for a variety of car tradeshow giveaways and promotions for fun.

3. Create an auto trade show sales follow-up plan for appreciation and planning for the next year.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Create an auto tradeshows advertising plan for the best exposure

Use car tradeshows advertising tactics to their fullest for the highest level of exposure and the most visits to your booth. For your auto trade show booth to be successful, cast a wide advertising net to encompass both large and small companies in the automotive industry. Don't forget to send out invite cards to let your clients know you will be at the show.

I recommend: SEMA, held in Las Vegas every year, is the largest automotive industry conference in the world. It is a showcase of all things automotive with an emphasis on the aftermarket products and services offered to consumers. The Annual Brake Colloquium & Exhibition, put on by SAE International, is specifically designed for those in the automotive braking and brake technology industries.

Stock up on auto tradeshow promotions to create an atmosphere of fun

Schedule regular car trade show giveaways and car tradeshow promotions to keep the atmosphere light and fun. Participants and trade show goers want to feel included and appreciated for taking the time to attend the tradeshow and stay up on automotive industry news.

I recommend: Cool Promotional Products offers an entire category on automotive promo items, including the usual customized key chains and ice scrapers and the not so usual customized car cleaning kits and auto document holders. Far From Boring! Promotional Products offers a large supply of automotive related, customized products for you to best represent your business.

Plan to have a committee designated solely to car trade show sales leads

Follow-up with your auto trade show sales and traffic to find out what worked, what didn't and what needs to change or stay the same. This can be done in a company meeting, with surveys or ask for notes to be turned in from those who attended and worked the booth.

I recommend: Customer Management Systems (CMS) is a management data base and software that allows you to track leads, unsold clients, sold clients and service clients. Trade show leads can be worked into the unsold leads and clients database for professional follow-ups and tracking. Trade Show Marketing.com offers an extensive library of ready to use trade show marketing forms, including a planning, prep and follow-up sheet to help you follow-up and utilize the leads from the show.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Work as a solid planning committee to pull together the best auto trade show marketing exhibit plan and execution. This will allow everyone to bring ideas to the table and delegate the tasks accordingly.