Internet services tradeshows provide the opportunity for you to meet new people within your industry and make potential clients and investors aware of the products and services you provide. By attending Internet services trade shows, you can expand visibility for your product or service visibility, establish your brand name, promote your business, create leads and increase sales.

An added bonus of Internet services trade show participation is the opportunity to examine what the competition is doing; you can see their products and services and their preferred marketing strategies. Internet services trade shows also reveal current market trends. For the best results from Internet services trade show services and products, implement the following:

1. Use an Internet services trade show guide to find and attend the best trade shows and find out more about Internet services trade show services information.

2. Plan your Internet services trade show attendance for the year and map out what you hope to achieve.

3. A successful Internet services tradeshow experience depends upon your creativity and the effective presentation of your products or services.

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

Use an Internet services trade show directory to find tradeshows

As you start to involve your business in trade shows, note the most popular show locations. The more people that attend the shows, the more recognition your business will receive. Maintaining a booth in too many trade shows too frequently may overwhelm your business. Take care to spread out the events your business displays in, however, so that there is less financial and physical strain on you and your employees, especially during your first year of participation.

I recommend: Scroll toward the middle of the page at ExpoCentral for a list of available trade shows in the Internet and e-commerce industries. Consider exhibiting in ISPCON’s annual Internet Industry Event, one of the top trade shows in the industry.

Plan your Internet services tradeshow strategy

Before participating in an Internet services trade show, it's a good idea to check them out as an observer and pay attention to what other businesses do that make them stand out. Once you pick the events you will participate in as a vendor and rent your booth space, you need to establish a list of your objectives. Take time to map out what features of your Internet service you will show attendees. Draw attention to features that make your service reliable and easy to use, and features that the competition may not offer.

I recommend: The User Generated Content Conference & Expo (UGCX) in San Jose, California focuses on how user generated content effects the web industry. Visit its website for a list of Internet-related industries that should consider exhibiting, such as web hosting providers. The MacWorld Conference and Expo provides exhibitor resources to help you plan your exhibit strategy, such as personalized schedules and floor plans.

Present your Internet features effectively at Internet services tradeshows

At trade shows, appearance is everything. The more appealing your booth display, the more likely people are to stop and ask questions. For example, you may want to consider setting up computers so that attendees can explore the features and usefulness of your Internet service. Promotional items are always helpful in getting attendees to remember you even after they've gone home. Provide free mouse pads, pens, coffee mugs and other items that attendees may use at their desk while on the Internet, reminding them of how much better your service is.

I recommend: Choose exhibit designers like Precision Marketing Group that have experience with creating booths for businesses that provide Internet services. The International Wireless Communication Expo provides opportunities for exhibitors to promote their booth more effectively through extra marketing services.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  There are two types of Internet services tradeshows. A public trade show is open to anyone and typically draws the attention of potential customers and investors. A trade-only show is only open to company representatives within the industry and the press. Depending upon the goals for your business, attend the type of trade show that appeals most to your target audience.