With gift tradeshow marketing you can increase sales and brand recognition. No matter what your business is selling, a well-planned and though-out marketing strategy will benefit your bottom line.

Before investing in gift tradeshows advertising or gift tradeshow promotions, you and your employees should understand tradeshow marketing basics. Consider the following when developing and implementing your gift tradeshow marketing strategy:

1. Take advantage of pre-show and onsite gift tradeshow marketing opportunities offered by the shows themselves.

2. Stand out from the competition with gift trade shows advertising in the special show editions of gift trade magazines.

3. Learn how to maximize gift trade show sales with gift tradeshow marketing advice from the experts.

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

Utilize gift tradeshow marketing opportunities offered by the trade shows themselves

Leading trade shows offer numerous gift tradeshow marketing and gift tradeshows advertising opportunities. Once you're registered as an exhibitor, you can select from a range of possibilities suited to any budget.

I recommend: Reach 36,000 buyers with help from the New York International Gift Fair's marketing manual, which offers advertising opportunities, free PR and signage and banner plans. AmericasMart Atlanta draws 235,000 buyers with several gift tradeshows a year; your gift tradeshows advertising in theMarket! Magazine reaches 200,000 retailers across the country. The California Gift Show draws gift trade show traffic from all 50 states and more than 30 countries, and offers a variety of specialized gift trade show promotions such as the ECO (Earth Conscious Options) directory listing and signage for green products.

Take advantage of gift trade shows advertising opportunities in trade magazines

You'll increase gift trade show sales by marketing your products in gift trade publications. Of course you'll want to focus on the key gift trade show special editions and dailies, most of which appear in January at peak gift tradeshow marketing season. But don't overlook chances to do advance gift tradeshow marketing and gift trade show follow-up all year long by placing ads in themed editions.

I recommend: Gifts & Decorative Accessories offers several theme-related special editions throughout the year, in addition to its gift tradeshows advertising special edition and dailies in January. Check out the media kit at Home Accents Today for gift trade shows advertising opportunities. Gift Shop Magazine is the most-read trade publication among gift retailers; you can advertise in the magazine or online.

Learn gift tradeshow marketing tips from the experts at industry association meetings

From choosing the best gift tradeshow giveaways to doing effective gift tradeshow follow-up, you can learn a lot from colleagues and industry leaders at trade association meetings and seminars.

I recommend: The Gift and Home Trade Association offers manufacturers and vendors a wealth of gift tradeshow marketing resources, including online articles, an annual conference, seminars and a list of recommended gift trade show promotions consultants. The Gift Association of America, a subsidiary of Industry Advisors, offers a variety of gift tradeshow marketing seminars and educational opportunities.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Always support your expenditures for gift trade show giveaways and gift tradeshow promotions by investing in the kinds of advertising and PR that will draw gift trade show traffic to your exhibit. The best giveaway ideas will go to waste if no one knows you're at the show.