Ceramic trade show marketing is a lucrative way to enhance product branding and gain new markets for your product. Whether its the promotion of a new line of ceramic products or the marketing of ceramic materials and manufacturing, innovative and eye-catching advertising is key to tradeshow success.

Ceramics trade show traffic is surrounded by colorful displays and animated salespeople. Gaining attention and directing people to your booth for both sales and networking is a matter of preparation, quality promotion and follow through. Consider the following with trade show marketing:

1. Be aware that ceramics trade show marketing requires an initial investment.

2. Research your target audience and be aware of industry trends before spending any money.

3. Choose promotions and giveaways that enhance rather than distract from your product.

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

Consider both design and practicality in ceramics tradeshow promotions

Although ceramic tiles showing the colors of your paints are nice, ceramics trade show giveaways with a practical side helps reinforce your branding message while being useful to the potential customer. Purchase a mixture of the two or look for ways to combine both color design and practicality in your ceramics tradeshow giveaways.

I recommend: SuperiorPromos.com offers a line of marketing ceramic coasters in a range of colors perfect for matching and branding with your company and its design. Clay World has all the supplies you need for a "paint-your-own-pottery" display which can draw a lot of people to your exhibit. Custom ceramic coffee mugs with your logo or pictures from Zazzle are also a hit at ceramic trade shows.

Take advantage of ceramics trade shows advertising

Ceramics tradeshow advertising should always work in cross promotion with booth design and promotional items. Advertising your attendance at a ceramic trade show can draw customers to you and increase your traffic.

I recommend: Advertise in Ceramics Monthly, Popular Ceramics or the Ceramic Review. Review the media kits for information on circulation and frequency of publication to see if it meets your advertising needs.

Increase ceramics trade show sales by becoming an exhibitor or sponsor

A great way to get your company name and product into the hands of potential customers is to become an exhibitor or sponsor of a ceramic trade show.

I recommend: The American Ceramics Society's International Conference & Exposition on Advanced Ceramics & Composites (ICACC) showcases "cutting-edge research and product developments in advanced ceramics, armor ceramics, solid oxide fuel cells, ceramic coatings, bioceramics and more." Check out the Ceramics Directory for a ceramics trade show that fits your needs. Attend the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Remember that ceramics tradeshow marketing doesn't finish at the end of the day. Be sure to complete your ceramics tradeshow follow-up through meeting new contacts and contacting potential new customers.