Medical trade shows and conventions allow members of a particular health care field to gather information on their services. A trade show may also showcase a new technique or device that the service provider or manufacturer wishes to promote to the public. Trade shows also offer an opportunity to network with other health care providers in the same field or with manufacturers of health care instruments and equipment.

As a medical service provider or manufacturer, it makes good business sense to erect an exhibit at a trade show. Having a successful display, however, takes research and planning. Hundreds of medical trade shows take place every year, but each targets a specific audience. Some have limited space or other constraint, and may only occur during an inconvenient time of year or at an inconvenient location. Other shows may require a budget beyond what you can afford.

Before advertising your services or equipment at a medical trade show:

1. Visit other medical trade shows to understand their organization.

2. Determine how to design your medical trade show exhibit.

3. Acquire services needed to set up your medical trade show exhibit.

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

Attend at least one medical trade show before designing your exhibit

View the exhibits at a medical trade show in your area. If your area has a large medical community, you may have an opportunity to visit a trade show with very little effort. However, numerous Internet resources provide information on medical trade shows around the country.

I recommend: Exhibitrac maintains a helpful medical trade show guide to trade show exhibitors, and they also offer medical trade show advice. This database allows you to search by individual companies that exhibit at medical tradeshows to see where they might exhibit next. BizTradeShows compiles medical trade show information at a glance. Major trade shows listed describe the focus of each show and the time and place they occur. The MedTrade conference attracts thousands of spectators each year with its premier home medical equipment and services focus.

Determine what help you will need to build your own medical tradeshow exhibit

In the months before the medical trade show, numerous activities have to take place. You have to decide what message your exhibit will convey, what kind of display to build, how much space you need, how many electrical outlets you need, free giveaways, staffing and many other considerations. To simplify this process, hire some of these services from expert medical tradeshow service providers.

I recommend: DDA Medical designs and produces graphics displays that will attract attention to a particular exhibit. This company also publishes table covers, banners, posters and other paper materials for your show using commonly recognized medical symbols and images. Canon Communications produces publications and trade show materials targeted to the medical implement industry; they also offer a medical trade show directory. Order giveaways from HealthPromotionsNow to promote your company.

Find medical trade show services to attract new customers and enhance your bottom line

Building an exhibit for a medical trade show takes good organizational skills. Many trade show experts can assist you with creating an effective medical trade show exhibit.

I recommend: Successful Events sells a number of items that help an exhibitor construct a professional-looking exhibit. Allied Special Products offers specialized shipping services for trade show exhibitors. eMotion creates videos for medical trade show exhibitors. Consider participating in a medical trade show that also incorporates physician medical certification education like Pri-Med medical exhibits to promote your product to physicians.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Though your focus promotes medical services, innovations, procedures and equipment, you do not have to use assistants whose expertise includes the medical field. However, since you are investing a lot of money to participate in a medical trade show - it's very important that you staff your exhibit with knowledgeable salespeople to promote your business.